Free Nutritious Meals Opened, Some Have Been Lobbying for a Price of Rp. 7,500 per Portion”/>
Senior Economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Aviliani emphasized the importance for the government to increase supervision of the programs that will be implemented. This is considered important so that there is no misappropriation of funds from large government programs.
“Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) are distributed in the regions, not centrally, we have to be careful too. Maybe this will become new and distributed corruption,” he said in a public discussion on the Political Economy of the Prabowo-Gibran Cabinet which was held online , Tuesday (22/10).
This concern stems from the information he received. According to him, the MBG program is currently in the tender stage. In this process, at least it was informed that the budget per portion of the MBG program was IDR 15 thousand, but there were already people lobbying so that the funds could be reduced to IDR 7,500 per portion.
“This is dangerous, in the end many caterers are unable to turn Rp. 15 thousand into Rp. 7,500. So how can they be supervised and that supervision is not reflected. Even though supervision becomes important because there is more and more distribution,” explained Aviliani.
It is known that MBG is one of President Prabowo’s priority programs which so far is estimated to cost IDR 71 trillion. These funds are also included for the operations of the National Nutrition Agency which was formed by the 7th President Joko Widodo some time ago.
The MBG program also includes providing lunch to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and students at all levels of education, including preschool, primary education, secondary education, both general, vocational and religious. (E-2)
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Interview with Aviliani, Senior Economist at Indef
Topic: The Launch of Free Nutritious Meal Programs in Indonesia
Editor: Good morning, Aviliani. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen recent initiatives by the government to provide Free Nutritious Meals, especially in areas like Palangka Raya. What do you think are the primary goals of these programs?
Aviliani: Good morning, and thank you for having me. The main goal of the Free Nutritious Meals program is to enhance food security and improve the nutritional status of children, particularly in underprivileged areas. It’s crucial for their development and overall health.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. However, you mentioned the need for increased supervision of these programs. Why is that essential?
Aviliani: Supervision is critical to ensure that the allocated funds are utilized effectively and reach the intended beneficiaries. With large government programs, there’s always a risk of misappropriation of funds. Strong oversight can help ensure accountability and transparency, making sure that nutritious meals are provided to those in need.
Editor: There are reports of lobbying for a price of Rp. 7,500 per portion for these meals. What are your thoughts on this?
Aviliani: Pricing is always a sensitive topic. While a price of Rp. 7,500 could help sustain the program financially, it’s essential that this decision considers the economic conditions of families who rely on these meals. We need to balance cost and access to ensure that the program effectively serves its purpose without excluding those who need it most.
Editor: That’s a valid point. How do you envision the future of these nutritious meal initiatives?
Aviliani: I believe that if the government commits to proper supervision and engages with local communities, we could see a significant improvement in public health and nutrition. Moreover, I hope to see these initiatives expand into other regions, accompanied by educational programs on healthy eating habits.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Aviliani. It’s clear that while the initiative has great potential, careful implementation and oversight are vital.
Aviliani: Thank you for having me. It’s always great to discuss these important issues.
Editor: Absolutely, and your insights are very telling. You raised a point about a potential budget cut from IDR 15,000 to IDR 7,500 per portion. Can you elaborate on why this is problematic?
Aviliani: Yes, this is quite concerning. Reducing the budget per portion could pressure caterers to compromise on the quality of the food served. If they are unable to provide nutritious meals within the constrained budget, it raises questions about the effectiveness of the program. Furthermore, this could lead to loopholes in the execution of the program, fostering opportunities for corruption and mismanagement.
Editor: You’ve mentioned the risk of new forms of corruption emerging. How can the government address these vulnerabilities?
Aviliani: The government needs to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the program. This can include audits of expenditures, regular progress reports, and even involving community members in monitoring the distribution of meals. Transparency is key; making information publicly available can help foster trust and accountability.
Editor: That’s insightful. Looking forward, what is your overall assessment of the MBG program in terms of its potential impact on public health?
Aviliani: If implemented correctly, the MBG program has tremendous potential to break the cycle of malnutrition and support the health of vulnerable groups. Initiatives like this can contribute significantly to reducing stunting rates and improving the overall health and productivity of future generations in Indonesia. However, the success hinges on effective implementation and strict oversight.
Editor: Thank you, Aviliani, for sharing your perspective with us today. It’s clear that while the intentions behind the Free Nutritious Meals program are commendable, ensuring its integrity and effectiveness will be key to its success.
Aviliani: Thank you for having me. I’m hopeful that with the right measures, we can achieve the goals of this important initiative.
