Baharudin Al Farisi, Ardito Ramadhan, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto recounted a visit by experts from the United States who came to see him to research the free nutritional meals (MBG) program.
"Just the other day, experts from the White House, were studying our MBG. Three (or) four months ago, I received a delegation from the Rockefeller Institute who visited me", Prabowo explained at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting at the Sentul International Convention Centre (SICC) in Bogor regency, West Java, on Monday February 2.
Prabowo explained that the experts consider the MBG program to be the best investment a country can make because every disbursement of funds will have a multiplier effect of at least fivefold, even up to 35-fold in the long term.
Prabowo is confused however because this program is being questioned by the people of his own nation. "There's a tendency for our smart people to trust foreigners more than our own nation. So, yes, just check with the Rockefeller Institute", said Prabowo.
Job creation
Aside from this, Prabowo also stated that the MBG program has created approximately 1 million jobs through approximately 22,000 MBG kitchens that produce and distribute nutritious food.
"With just 22,000 (kitchens), we have now created 1 million jobs, 22,000 times 50 people, who are paid daily. We have created 1 million jobs", said Prabowo.
Prabowo explained that the 22,000 MBG kitchens require suppliers for tomatoes, carrots, vegetables, eggs, fish, chicken, meat and so on in each village.
Thus, one MBG kitchen can generate up to 10 or 20 suppliers. "Ultimately, if we reach 82 million (recipients), we will create 3-5 million jobs", he said.
Meanwhile, Prabowo acknowledged that the people need jobs. However, he cautioned that these jobs will not be created if the public just shouts and criticises.
"I'll prove to you, Prabowo Subianto, that as President of the Republic of Indonesia I've now created 1 million jobs just from the MBG program", said Prabowo.
60 million beneficiaries
Prabowo continued, stating that the MBG program has now reached 60 million beneficiaries in the last year.
"Praise be to Allah, last night I checked with the Head of the BGN [National Nutrition Agency] (Dadan Hindayana), we have reached 60 million beneficiaries. 60 million in one year and four months, 5 months", said Prabowo.
Prabowo explained that this achievement was initially denied by many parties. They believed that Indonesia would not be able to reach tens of millions of people as MBG recipients in a year.
Some even predicted mass poisoning as a result of the program. In fact, Prabowo said, even eating at the most expensive restaurant in Jakarta doesn't automatically protect people from poisoning.
"[Even if] we eat at the most expensive restaurant in Jakarta someone gets food poisoning. If we add it up, how many thousands have been poisoned compared to the billions of meals we've distributed, the statistic is 0.008 or 7 [percent]", said Prabowo.
"Meaning what? It means that 99.99 percent of the MBG's endeavours must be declared a success", he added.
Prabowo further admitted he didn't understand why so many people were cynical about the MBG program. He suspects the resistance stems from his political rivals, so every program he implements is always attacked.
"I don't understand. Perhaps it's basis is political rivals, everything that is done must be attacked, denigrated, yes this is our attempt to explain", said Prabowo.
- One year of free meals program – Cronies profit, children poisoned: ICW. NU Online – January 9, 2026
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Klaim Prabowo soal MBG: Diragukan Bangsa Sendiri, Dilirik Dunia".]
