During a meeting with Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muhammad Syafi’i in Jakarta, BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang said that most pesantren students, or santri, have yet to benefit from the flagship program.
“Of around 11 million santris and one million pesantren instructors, only two percent have received free nutritious meals,” Deyang noted in a statement cited here on Friday.
She also expressed concern over the limited number of pesantrens operating MBG kitchens, officially known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs), as noted by the House of Representatives (DPR).
“We found that many large pesantrens with more than four thousand santris still do not have SPPGs,” she said.
Deyang said President Prabowo Subianto considers santris among the program’s main targets. She urged the ministry to identify and coordinate pesantrens for inclusion in the MBG program, including those in remote areas.
“In remote areas, we are ready to serve beneficiaries even if there are only 100 or 200 of them,” she said, adding that state-owned banks have been mobilized to support the development of MBG kitchens in those locations.
Deputy Minister Syafi’i welcomed the request and said his office will help expand the program’s reach to pesantrens nationwide and support the establishment of SPPGs.
“I plan to gather pesantren representatives so they can receive guidance from the BGN and benefit from the MBG program,” he said.
President Prabowo views the MBG program as a strategic instrument to support the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision and his eight core missions, or Asta Cita, by improving nutrition and stimulating local economies.
Since its launch on January 6 this year, the program, through more than 15 thousand SPPGs, has reached about 44 million citizens, including schoolchildren, toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women. It aims to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries by March 2026.
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Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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