“The Free Nutritious Meals initiative is a great idea from the President. But its execution requires our collective support to ensure it runs well”.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government plans to introduce a digital-based system for the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to improve the effectiveness of its distribution.
The plan was announced by Head of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who also chairs the Government Digital Transformation Acceleration Committee.
“For example, in the Free Nutritious Meals program, everything will be digitized. This way, we will know exactly how many beneficiaries there are, where the program has been implemented, what is lacking, and other important details,” Luhut said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the system would allow President Prabowo Subianto to access comprehensive data as the basis for policy decisions. This is expected to help the government formulate the right policies to improve public welfare.
“The Free Nutritious Meals initiative is a great idea from the President. But its execution requires our collective support to ensure it runs well,” he added.
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As Special Presidential Advisor for Government Digitalization and Technology, Luhut leads the committee, which was formed following Presidential Regulation No. 83 of 2025.
The mandate to accelerate digital transformation in governance was first assigned by the President around seven months ago, leading to the formation of a task force to explore strategies for digitalization.
The committee focuses on three key agendas: digitalizing social assistance programs, streamlining business licensing, and strengthening the integration of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
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For the digitalization of social assistance, the committee will begin the first trial in September 2025 in Banyuwangi, East Java, as a piloting project.
Luhut said the initiative would be expanded to other regions if the Banyuwangi trial produces positive results. The committee will monitor progress until December while encouraging district and city governments to prepare for the adoption of the digital system.
“If Banyuwangi performs well from October to December, then in January 2026 the President could launch it nationwide. If that happens, I believe within one to two years we will gradually achieve full integration,” he said.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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