Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is working with the private sector to strengthen the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, aiming to accelerate the reduction of child malnutrition and expand coverage of beneficiaries across Indonesia sustainably.
“Cross-sector collaboration between donors and private entities is highly expected to address nutrition challenges together,” said Haryo Limanseto, expert staff at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, during a visit to SDN Tambora 1, a public elementary school, here on Friday.
Limanseto attended the “Gotong Royong Makan Bahagia Gratis” or Mutual Cooperation for Happy Free Meals activity, organized by Matahari Pagi Indonesia, which provides free meals to students at the school.
He expressed full support for the program, emphasizing its benefits in improving children’s nutrition to help them grow healthy and smart. According to Limanseto, donor involvement is crucial to sustaining the free meal program at schools until the National Nutrition Agency’s official MBG program is fully implemented nationwide.
“This program complements, rather than competes with, the government’s initiative by filling gaps in areas where the official program has yet to reach,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chair of the Matahari Pagi Indonesia Advisory Council, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, highlighted the program’s spirit of gotong royong, or mutual cooperation.
He said it continues President Prabowo Subianto’s initiative to strengthen national solidarity and address children’s nutritional needs.
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The President aims to reach 80 million children through the free meal program, making private and community participation essential to expanding its benefits.
Dahnil encouraged large companies and community groups to use social responsibility funds to build hygienic kitchens to support the free meal program, calling it a tangible symbol of national solidarity.
