President Prabowo Subianto has announced a goal to extend Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program to every village nationwide by the end of 2026. The announcement, made on January 7, 2026, in Cilebar, Karawang, West Java, followed reports from residents that their communities had not yet received benefits from the initiative.
Expanding Nutritional Support
The President acknowledged uneven distribution of the program to date and stated the government is working to rapidly expand its reach. He expressed optimism that full national coverage could be achieved even before the 2026 target.
Currently, approximately 55 million Indonesian children are receiving free nutritious meals through the MBG program, a milestone reached within its first year. The President described this scale as unprecedented.
Future Program Goals
Looking ahead, the government intends to broaden the program’s scope beyond schoolchildren. Plans are in place to eventually include all Indonesian children, as well as pregnant women and elderly citizens. This expansion reflects a commitment to comprehensive social welfare, according to President Subianto.
President Subianto also addressed criticism of the program, stating that such reactions are not a concern as long as work continues to benefit the people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the MBG program?
As of January 7, 2026, around 55 million Indonesian children are receiving free nutritious meals through the program, which has been running for one year.
What is the timeline for full national coverage?
The target date for the MBG program to reach all villages in Indonesia is the end of 2026, though President Subianto hopes to achieve this sooner.
Who will be included in the program’s future expansion?
The government aims to extend the program to include all Indonesian children, pregnant women, and elderly citizens, in addition to current beneficiaries.
As the MBG program evolves, will the government be able to maintain the current level of reach while expanding its scope to new demographics?
