President Prabowo Subianto has acknowledged shortcomings in the implementation of the government’s flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, following a series of mass food poisoning incidents that sparked public concern.

Speaking at the 6th National Congress of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in Jakarta on Monday, September 29, 2025, Prabowo said that despite the problems, the program has reached nearly 30 million beneficiaries children and pregnant women and created 1.5 million jobs nationwide.

“Yes, there are shortcomings. Yes, there have been cases of food poisoning. But if we count the total number of meals delivered, the margin of error is only 0.00017 percent,” Prabowo told delegates.

The president defended the program’s scale, comparing Indonesia’s progress with Brazil’s similar initiative.

“Brazil needed 11 years to reach 47 million beneficiaries. We have reached 30 million in just 11 months. There are flaws, yes. But the benefits are immense,” he said, stressing that many Indonesians still struggle to afford even the most basic meals.

Prabowo also claimed that the government has saved at least Rp300 trillion (US$180 billion) within his first year in office, with the funds redirected to finance MBG program.

The controversy around the program intensified last week after foodborne illness outbreaks in several provinces led to the temporary closure of multiple MBG service units.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the president had convened cabinet members at his private residence in Jakarta on Sunday, September 28, 2025, instructing them to prioritize children’s safety.

“The President gave very detailed directions, even technical ones, especially regarding hygiene and water quality, which recent lab results have linked to bacterial contamination,” Prasetyo told reporters.

Following the meeting, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan announced that the government had suspended operations at problematic MBG service centers, pending a full investigation.

“Under the President’s instructions, the safety of children is the government’s top priority,” he said.

Prabowo emphasized that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and local Service Units for Nutrition Fulfillment (SPPG) must strictly adhere to standard operating procedures, particularly those related to sanitation.