Jakarta After various parties and the government conducted trials of the free nutritious meal program among students in several regions and schools, President Prabowo Subianto finally allocated a budget to implement it.
The Chairman of Gerindra explained that the program provides free nutritious meals for children and pregnant women. He stated that the free nutritious meal per child and pregnant woman is Rp10,000 for one day.
“If we break it down, this (nutritious) meal program will later have a minimum average index of 10,000 per child and per pregnant woman per day,” said Prabowo at a press conference at the Presidential Office, Central Jakarta, Friday, November 29, 2024.
He explained that the government wants a budget of Rp15,000 per child and pregnant woman for the free nutritious meal program for one day. However, he said, the national budget is insufficient.
“We want Rp15,000, but the budget condition might be Rp10,000,” he said.
He assured that the food menu provided remains of good quality and nutritious, even though the budget is only Rp10,000. According to Prabowo, if one family has three to four children, they will receive Rp30,000 per day.
“We calculate that for those areas, it is sufficient, of good quality, and nutritious.” If the average family in the lower deciles has an average of 3 to 4 children, it means each family can receive a minimum average of Rp30 thousand per day. “This could amount to Rp2.7 million in one month,” said Prabowo.
The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin, revealed that this has been thoroughly considered by the government.
The General Chairperson of PKB assured that the government was careful and not hasty in setting the budget for the free nutritious meal program.
“Of course, the calculations, which I believe are not hasty,” said Cak Imin to reporters at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Central Jakarta, Monday (2/12/2024).
Trials Continue to be Conducted
He emphasized that the free nutritious meal program is currently still in the simulation stage. He assured that the program continues to pay attention to children’s nutritional intake.
“Yes, of course, everything is still in the simulation process, simulation trials until the end of the year until the implementation starts in January.” “There must be minimum aspects of those nutritional needs that have to be included,” he said.
Previously, the Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, said that the trial of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) with a budget of Rp10,000 per serving has been conducted for almost a year in various regions.
“It has been tested for almost a year now. So in Java Island, to meet the requirement of 600-700 calories per serving, it can be done with a maximum price of Rp10 thousand,” said Hasan, quoted from Antara, Saturday (30/11/2024).
Hasan explained that with a maximum budget of Rp10 thousand, the free nutritious meal program can provide 600-700 calories per serving. This free nutritious meal program, Hasan said, has already been tested in the regions of West Java, Central Java, and DKI Jakarta.
With a budget index of Rp10 thousand per portion, the allocation from the state budget (APBN) for the free nutritious meal program is set at Rp71 trillion next year.
KSP Ensures Nutrition and Calories are Met
Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Anto Mukti Putranto directly reviewed the trial implementation of the free nutritious meal program by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) held at SMP 1 Barunawati, Slipi, West Jakarta, Thursday (28/11/2024).
During his visit, Anto Mukti Putranto was accompanied by KSP Deputy Muhammad Qodari and the Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Hasan Nasbi.
Putranto stated that his team wants to directly ensure the nutritional and calorie menu standards presented before this program is officially implemented in early January 2025. The findings from this visit will be reported directly to President Prabowo Subianto.
“So, I am directly observing what BGN is doing as a report to the president.” “We will monitor all the way to the Papua region,” said Putranto.
He admitted to being pleased to see the students’ enthusiasm for this program, which was evident from the joyful atmosphere when they shared meals together in the classroom.
“We visited one of the places that is one of the pilot projects of BGN, namely in the Slipi area. I directly observed what the friends from BGN were doing, and it was extraordinary because why?” At a glance, I saw a child we asked who immediately spoke well, which cannot be faked, meaning what they provide is of good standard,” he said.
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