The INDONESIAN —Hariqo Wibawa Satria, Senior Expert Staff of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom RI), emphasized that the Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) must be implemented flawlessly, as it directly concerns the future of Indonesia’s young generation. He stated that the program must deliver “millions of benefits” for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, preschoolers, students, and Islamic boarding school pupils, as well as community-based economic actors such as MSMEs, farmers, ranchers, traders, fishermen, and planters.
According to Hariqo, this vision aligns with the spirit of Youth Pledge Day, which inspires young people to play a central role in building a strong foundation for Golden Indonesia 2045.
Hariqo’s statement echoes the view of House of Representatives Commission IX member Putih Sari, who stressed that MBG is not merely a food distribution initiative but a national movement to prepare a generation free from malnutrition. She underlined that early investment in nutrition is key to realizing Indonesia’s golden generation in 2045.
“The MBG program is a long-term investment to build a strong and healthy young generation. Through proper nutritional intake from an early age, we can significantly reduce stunting rates in Indonesia,”
said Putih Sari.
She added that the success of MBG requires the participation of all stakeholders—not only the government but also families and communities. Their collective awareness will determine whether children receive the proper nutrition needed to grow and thrive.
“Nutritional awareness must be cultivated together—by the government, families, and society. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure children receive adequate nutrition so they can grow into a healthy and productive generation,”
she continued.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has reinforced this commitment by expanding the MBG program’s implementation to remote regions across the archipelago. Colonel Cba Rustandi Wiramanggala, from the Secretariat of the Deputy for Promotion and Cooperation at BGN, explained that the concept of Nutritional Literacy (Paham Gizi) is a key strategy to help communities understand and apply balanced daily diets.
“When people understand how to manage proper nutrition, we can collectively build Indonesia’s golden generation. Protein, both animal and plant-based, is an essential component that must not be neglected in a child’s growth,”
Rustandi said.
At the local level, the initiative has also gained strong support from village governments. Jejen Jaenal Arifin, Head of Dawuan Tengah Village, welcomed MBG as a concrete step by the government to strengthen community nutritional resilience. He encouraged residents to make the most of the program.
“MBG is a tangible government effort that we must all support. People need to be more aware of the importance of children’s nutrition so they can grow into strong and intelligent individuals,”
Jejen stated.
The national program is also backed by various social and religious organizations, amplifying its reach and sustainability.
This growing wave of multi-sectoral support reflects a shared optimism that the Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) will evolve into a moral and social movement ensuring that every Indonesian child grows up healthy, intelligent, and ready to lead the nation’s future.
The patriotic spirit of Youth Pledge Day serves as a reminder that Indonesia’s future lies on the shoulders of today’s youth — a generation now being shaped through the fight to eradicate malnutrition nationwide.
With continued collaboration and strong commitment, MBG is expected to move forward seamlessly — as envisioned by Hariqo — creating new economic opportunities for communities while reaffirming the belief that the dream of Golden Indonesia 2045 begins at the nation’s dining table.
