The Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) initiative stands out as one of the flagship programs under President Prabowo’s administration. As a national free meal program targeted at school children, MBG reflects the government’s strong political will to tackle long-standing issues of child nutrition, stunting, and social inequality. By prioritizing MBG early in his presidency, President Prabowo has signalled his administration’s readiness to deploy both fiscal scale and political capital to address structural welfare challenges.

The potential macroeconomic impact of MBG is considerable. Following an IDR 100 trillion budget scale-up in February, the government now estimates that the program could generate 185,000 new jobs, reduce poverty by 0.19 percentage point, and contribute an additional 0.7 percentage point to GDP growth in 2025. These projections position MBG not only as a social safety net but also as a strategic driver of inclusive economic development.

Fig 3. MBG: Expansion Timeline and Impact

While we remain broadly optimistic about the program’s long-term impact, early-stage execution challenges suggest that operational discipline will be crucial to unlocking MBG’s full potential. As of May 2025, the program has reached 3.5 million beneficiaries across all 38 provinces, served through 1,286 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPGs)—the community kitchens that form the backbone of the initiative. Despite the impressive scale-up, operational hiccups have surfaced. Over 1,300 cases of food poisoning have been reported, and at least one SPPG in Kalibata, Jakarta, has been shut down 
due to a misappropriation of funds. Though small in percentage terms, these incidents carry outsized reputational risks for a program of national visibility.

The challenges are not rooted in the program’s vision but in inconsistent execution quality. SPPGs vary widely in infrastructure, hygiene standards are not uniformly enforced, and oversight mechanisms remain underdeveloped. Without a stronger operational foundation, MBG risks underdelivering on its ambitious promise.

Toward Institutional Reform: A Perpres and Policy Support

In response, the government’s plan to issue a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) aimed at accelerating and institutionalizing MBG operations represents a positive step forward. A well-crafted Perpres could help standardize kitchen operations, formalize hygiene and safety protocols, and strengthen program governance through clearer accountability structures.

Complementary efforts from other institutions further reinforce the government's commitment to the program’s success. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has expressed support through credit schemes targeting MSMEs and fisheries, which are key supply-chain nodes for MBG. Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is developing insurance frameworks for both beneficiaries and kitchen staff—an important safeguard to reduce risk exposure across the board.

Public Confidence Remains Strong—But Not Unshakable

Despite the operational setbacks, public sentiment remains supportive. Two separate surveys have highlighted public approval of the MBG program. The first, conducted by Indikator Politik, revealed a satisfaction rate of 64% among respondents. The second, carried out by an Indonesian survey institution (LSI), Denny JA, reported a high positive sentiment score of 8.4 out of 9. This reflects a broad base of public goodwill and early recognition of MBG’s social relevance.

Still, this support should not be taken for granted. As a national-scale initiative, the MBG program will remain under close public scrutiny. If safety, quality, or governance issues persist, perception could shift quickly—particularly in an era of high social media visibility and politicized narratives.

The early setbacks do not detract from the MBG program’s significance. But they underscore one truth: execution will make or break the program. Strengthening food safety standards, ensuring quality consistency across regions, and tightening oversight should be treated as immediate priorities. If addressed decisively, MBG can become not just a social initiative but a cornerstone of inclusive national development