The Indonesian government’s “Makan Bergizi Gratis” (MBG) or “Free Nutritious Meals” program aimed to tackle student malnutrition. However, in recent months, the initiative has come under fire following a wave of food poisoning cases among schoolchildren. Instead of promoting health, the program has ironically led to a public health concern.
As a result, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has demanded an immediate halt to the program, citing serious concerns over its safety, implementation, and transparency.
The Crisis: Food Poisoning Cases on the Rise
Reports from multiple regions in Indonesia indicate that students who consumed MBG meals have experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and severe stomach pain. Some even required hospitalization. This troubling pattern reveals a fundamental issue with food handling and quality control.
In response, local health departments initiated investigations, revealing that some meals were either undercooked or poorly stored—conditions that easily lead to bacterial contamination.
⚠️ ICW’s Stand: Stop the Program Before More Are Harmed
ICW didn’t mince words in its statement. The watchdog strongly believes that MBG has deviated from its original purpose due to poor procurement processes and minimal oversight. They claim that vendors were chosen without thorough vetting, and some lacked proper experience in food preparation on a large scale.
Using a strong and active voice, ICW urged the government to stop the program immediately until a comprehensive evaluation and reform are carried out.
The Root Problems: Lack of Oversight and Transparency
Digging deeper, one major problem emerges: transparency—or rather, the lack of it. The public has little to no access to information regarding how food suppliers are selected, what nutritional standards are applied, or how safety checks are performed.
Moreover, experts suspect that the rush to roll out the program nationally may have resulted in shortcuts in safety procedures. As the scale of MBG grew, so did the number of vendors, and quality control seemingly fell by the wayside.
A Call for Reform, Not Just a Pause
Although ICW has called for the program to be paused, their ultimate goal is not its permanent cancellation. Instead, they urge the government to redesign MBG from the ground up. This means:
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Implementing strict safety standards
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Making procurement processes fully transparent
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Holding vendors accountable for violations
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Ensuring food meets both nutritional and hygienic benchmarks
Transitioning from crisis to reform won’t be easy—but it is necessary.
️ Conclusion: Student Health Must Come First
The MBG program began with good intentions but quickly turned into a potential threat to student health. Now, as ICW and concerned citizens demand change, the government faces a critical choice: protect children or preserve a flawed policy.
Stopping the program temporarily is not a sign of failure—it’s a step toward protecting the next generation. If Indonesia truly wants to invest in its youth, then safety, transparency, and accountability must be placed at the heart of every meal served.
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