February 4, 2026 | 06:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), has responded to President Prabowo Subianto's claim that one million job opportunities have been created through the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
According to Nanik, this figure is derived from the number of operational Service Unit Public Kitchens (SPPG). "The kitchens currently in operation exceed 22,000, with each unit directly employing 50 people," Nanik stated when contacted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Based on Nanik's calculations, a total of 1.1 million people are currently employed within the MBG program. Nanik asserted that the BGN meticulously records the workforce involved in the project, noting that the agency utilizes a flow system to track all personnel stationed at the SPPGs.
Prabowo's claim regarding the creation of one million jobs was made while highlighting the success of the MBG program during its first year of implementation. He emphasized that the program has impacted labor availability, already generating at least one million positions.
"I prove to you, brothers and sisters, as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, that I have now produced one million job opportunities solely from MBG," he declared during his briefing at the National Coordination Meeting of the Central and Regional Governments in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Monday, February 2, 2026.
The President explained that these one million jobs stem from the 22,000 public kitchens already operational across Indonesia. He further noted that in villages where the MBG program is active, at least 10 to 20 individuals find work as food suppliers.
The Head of State claimed that the employment opportunities generated by the provision of free meals will continue to scale alongside the expansion of the program to more beneficiaries. According to him, up to 5 million new jobs could be created once the MBG program reaches its target of 82 million people.
"In the end, if we [distribute MBG] to 82 million people, it will create 3 to 5 million job opportunities," the Gerindra Party Chair concluded.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the report
Read: Minister Says Indonesia's Free Meal Program Serves 60 Million People
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