UNAIR NEWS – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has become a cornerstone policy under the administration of Prabowo-Gibran. With strong public support, the program aims to enhance the nutritional intake of schoolchildren across Indonesia. If implemented effectively, it could create opportunities for local businesses, optimize the use of domestic resources, and yield significant social and economic benefits through structured oversight and guidance.

Prof. Dr. Antun Mardiyanta, Drs., M.A., a professor of Public Administration at Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), weighed in on the program’s prospects. He pointed out that Indonesia’s vast geographical, social, and economic diversity presents a major challenge to nationwide implementation. A uniform strategy, he argued, would not be effective. “A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work across Indonesia. The country’s regional conditions vary widely,” he explained.

Adapting to local needs

Given these challenges, Prof. Mardiyanta stressed that the MBG program must be flexible enough to accommodate regional differences while maintaining strict nutritional and operational standards. “After carefully designing the policy with regional variations in mind, the program should undergo periodic improvements based on ongoing evaluations,” he said.

While the initiative has led to a surge in student participation, it has also drawn criticism from school canteen operators, some of whom report financial losses. Many of these vendors previously benefited from exclusive privileges that are now being affected by the policy shift.

Supporting local businesses

To address these concerns, Prof. Mardiyanta proposed integrating school canteen operators into the program’s supply chain, allowing them to serve as official food providers. Transparent and accountable partner selection, he added, would help create a fairer system that benefits all stakeholders.

Additionally, he emphasized the need for risk-based oversight to ensure the program’s effectiveness while preventing potential issues, such as food contamination or safety violations. “The government must mobilize all relevant oversight agencies to ensure this initiative achieves its objectives. Public and media involvement will also be crucial,” he stated.

The Free Nutritious Meals program marks a bold step in addressing malnutrition in Indonesia. However, its long-term success will depend not just on strong policymaking, but also on effective execution and active participation from key stakeholders.

Author: FISIP