Jakarta. The Indonesian government's claim that its free nutritious meals program can help prevent stunting is misleading when applied to school-age children, public policy analyst Agus Pambagio said, calling for a temporary suspension of the initiative until its objectives and implementation are properly reviewed.

The program, a flagship initiative of President Prabowo Subianto's administration, has faced growing scrutiny following reports of mass food poisoning and concerns about its substantial cost to the state budget.

Agus argued that the program's stated nutritional objectives need to distinguish between preventing stunting in early childhood and improving the nutritional intake of older children.

"To say that this program is intended to prevent stunting is fundamentally wrong and amounts to misleading information. Efforts to address stunting are most effective during the first 1,000 days of life, not after children have reached school age," Agus said.

The first 1,000 days, covering pregnancy through a child's second birthday, are widely recognized as a critical period for preventing growth faltering and supporting healthy development.

Agus urged the government to clarify the program's target groups and objectives, arguing that nutritional interventions should be tailored to the needs of different beneficiaries.

He also called for the use of reliable nutritional data to determine which population groups should receive priority.

Until those issues are addressed, Agus said the government should temporarily suspend the program and overhaul its management.

"The program itself is good, but the governance is lacking, making its implementation appear haphazard. I have been calling for a moratorium since late last year so it can be properly organized, because it was launched without adequate preliminary studies or a strong legal framework," he said.

Survey Shows Divided Public Opinion
Agus made the remarks in response to a recent survey by Voxpol Center Research and Consulting on public perceptions of the free nutritious meals program, widely known by its Indonesian abbreviation MBG.

The survey found that 42.5% of respondents favored improving the program's governance rather than discontinuing it, while 31% believed the initiative should be stopped.

The findings suggest differing public preferences over how the government should respond to concerns surrounding the program's implementation.

Agus said a nationwide initiative of this scale requires a clear policy framework, effective oversight and implementation mechanisms to ensure that its benefits reach intended recipients.

He also raised concerns about the program's financing, warning that its growing budgetary requirements could put pressure on funding for other priority sectors.

According to the figures cited, spending on the program reached Rp 101.1 trillion ($5.6 billion) in the first half of 2026.

The Constitutional Court has also ruled that the government must stop using education budget allocations to finance the program beginning in 2028, according to the account provided.

Agus urged policymakers to use public feedback as part of a broader evaluation while placing greater emphasis on empirical evidence concerning nutritional needs, food safety, and the effectiveness of program delivery.

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