VP Gibran: Free Meal Program Targets Indonesian Frontier, Outermost Areas

RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasized that the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) must be prioritized in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas so communities with limited access can benefit.

He said remote areas such as Niowula Village, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, are the most appropriate locations for accelerating MBG implementation.

“The MBG program will be more effective if it focuses on 3T areas,” VP Gibran said during a dialogue with residents and parents at Wolomoni Elementary School, Niowula Village, Detusoko Subdistrict, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

VP Gibran explained that locations far from city centers still face many limitations, so initiatives to improve schoolchildren’s nutrition can significantly ease the burden on parents.

He requested that the permitting process and feasibility test for MBG kitchens in the area be expedited so services can begin immediately. “The MBG program is needed in this area. If the kitchen is ready, we must expedite the permitting process. The children here need MBG, and this will benefit the mothers,” he said.

During his visit, VP Gibran learned that the MBG kitchen in Niowula Village was complete but awaiting inspection and feasibility assessment from the central government before it could operate. He acknowledged that the MBG program faces challenges in governance and oversight that must be addressed.

He emphasized that the government will use the school holidays to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program’s implementation. “MBG has shortcomings and must improve management, avoid procuring inappropriate goods, and eliminate corruption,” he said.

The government’s focus on 3T regions aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure equitable development across Indonesia. “We are highlighting this gap. Development is no longer solely focused on Java. It has become a national priority,” VP Gibran said.

At the same event, VP Gibran invited students to observe communities in 3T regions firsthand to better understand development challenges and monitor the implementation of priority government programs such as MBG.

A student representative from Jenderal Soedirman University, Rapid Bena Matin, said the visit provided a concrete picture of the access gap between cities and 3T regions. He emphasized that students are ready to contribute to monitoring and evaluating government programs so communities can benefit. ***