Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government announced a decision to allow boarding religious schools with more than 1,000 students to independently establish and operate a kitchen for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan shared the news after attending a cross-sector coordination meeting with senior officials in Jakarta on Thursday, stressing that such kitchens must comply with the same standards required of other MBG production facilities.
He explained that the policy was adopted “for the sake of convenience,” noting that it is primarily intended to facilitate the implementation of the national priority program at schools with large student populations.
“For example, boarding schools that have around 2,000 pupils are allowed to establish kitchens within their campuses, provided they meet the required standards, including obtaining hygiene and sanitation certificates,” Hasan said, elaborating on the meeting’s outcome.
Regarding religious boarding schools with fewer than 1,000 students, Hasan said the government would continue ensuring they receive free meals from nearby kitchens to maintain the program effectiveness.
He expressed hope the arrangement would expand the MBG program’s reach while enhancing kitchens’ compliance with food quality and safety standards.
Also attending Thursday’s meeting were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Sudaryono, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, and State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi.
Hasan earlier reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reaching 82.9 million MBG beneficiaries by the end of 2026, stressing the need to increase the program’s coverage at pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools) from the current 10 percent.
“It is crucial that we accord special attention to pesantrens because their students are in great need of nutritious meals,” he said in Jakarta on April 2.
With that in mind, he said the government intends to introduce a dedicated MBG distribution scheme for Islamic boarding schools.
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Translator: M. Harianto, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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