Bekasi, W. Java. A Timor-Leste delegation expressed admiration for the transparent and accountable financing model of Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) during a visit to one of the program's kitchen, locally known as SPPG, in Jati Asih, Bekasi.

The delegation, led by Timor-Leste’s Chief of Cabinet, Constantino Soares, visited Indonesia to study the implementation of the MBG Program and observe its operational governance firsthand.

“This is very interesting, where funds are distributed directly from the Finance Ministry to SPPGs and partners through virtual accounts. I think this mechanism is effective in minimizing leakages and ensuring operational funds are received on time,” said Soares, who spoke fluent Indonesian during the visit on Wednesday.

According to Soares, Timor-Leste is developing a similar MBG program targeting kindergarten and primary school students, aiming to reach 300,000 beneficiaries. Pilot projects are currently underway in several regions.

Other members of the delegation --including budget planners, subdistrict heads, and village leaders-- also praised the high operational standards of the Jati Asih 1 kitchen facility in Bekasi.

“The kitchen is clean, the workflow is efficient, and the daily menu variations are excellent. The menus are carefully designed to meet children’s nutritional needs,” said Anacleto da Costa, village head of Maubaralisa in Timor-Leste.

The delegation also noted SPPG’s role in supporting the local economy by employing around 50 workers in each kitchen, many of them women, each supporting an average of three family members. This creates a significant multiplier effect on the purchasing power of SPPG workers. Farmers and livestock producers also benefit from the MBG program as demand for ingredients rises.

Soares said he hopes the visit will mark the beginning of deeper cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia’s National Food and Nutrition Agency (BGN), particularly in strengthening nutrition program standards. “We are learning from what we saw here so we can adopt the standards and improve our own program,” he said.

BGN Secretary-General Sarwono welcomed Timor-Leste’s interest and commitment, saying the agency is ready to strengthen cross-country knowledge exchange and collaboration. “If this cooperation continues, it will further strengthen the good relationship between our neighboring countries,” he said.

The delegation also highlighted BGN’s focus on food safety and its mitigation procedures. “Food safety is non-negotiable. It is our moral obligation to ensure meals are safe for beneficiaries. Every incident becomes a lesson to reinforce food safety standards,” said BGN spokesperson Dian Fatwa, who joined the delegation’s visit in Jati Asih.

The delegation later visited Gracia School IT Centre in Bekasi, one of the program’s beneficiaries, to hear directly from teachers and students about the positive impact of the MBG program.

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