Minister Zulhas: MBG Program Has Yet to Succeed

Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan has stated that, with two years into President Prabowo Subianto's term, some flagship initiatives have yet to yield the desired results. Among these is the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program overseen by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). While certain programs, like rice and corn initiatives, have been successful within a year, BGN's MBG has not been as fortunate.

Zulkifli made this observation during a coordination meeting on the MBG program at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Another program, the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP), is also perceived as unsuccessful by the minister, known colloquially as Zulhas. This cooperative involves 82,000 villages and is considered a significant undertaking. Zulhas emphasized the government's efforts to roll out these cooperatives in mountainous regions, with a goal to ensure the program's benefits are realized by October 20, 2026.

Zulhas expressed his sentiments directly to Sudaryono, the head of the BGN, during the coordination meeting. Sudaryono merely acknowledged Zulhas' assessment after hearing it. The Tempo news outlet attempted to confirm Zulhas' remarks with Prasetyo Hadi, the Minister of the State Secretariat, and Muhammad Qodari, the Head of the Government Communication Agency. However, as of the time of reporting, neither individual had provided a response.