October 13, 2025 | 03:04 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At Muhammadiyah 4 Elementary School in Surabaya, East Java, the ringing of the bell at 9am signals the start of breakfast time. Students gather in the school canteen, where teachers distribute meal packages to those seated in neat rows. On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the packages contained rice, chicken, vegetables, and fruit.
This is not part of President Prabowo Subianto's free nutritious meal (MBG) program, but rather the school's long-standing healthy catering initiative. Muhammadiyah 4 has managed this activity for more than two decades. Every menu must follow the Ministry of Health's nutrition guidelines and be ready two hours before distribution. "We make sure the food stays high-quality," said teacher Farid Firmansyah.
The school orders its meals from two catering companies certified for both hygiene and halal (permissible according to Islamic law) compliance. According to Farid, the vendors collaborate closely with the school to design the menus, submitting monthly meal plans in advance. Parents of students with allergies or dietary restrictions can request customized menus.
The program, of course, is not free. Each student pays Rp400,000 (about US$24) per month. Still, participation is voluntary, with around 300 children are currently enrolled. Those who opt out can still buy meals from the school canteen, which maintains the same food preparation standards.
Prabowo Arrives in Egypt for Gaza-Israel Peace Summit
49 menit lalu
Prabowo Subianto has touched down at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, Egypt, to attend the peace summit on Gaza and Israel on Monday.
Palace on Export Proceeds Regulation: Initial Results Fall Short of Expectations
1 jam lalu
Prabowo held a limited meeting with several ministers at his private residence on Sunday evening to discuss foreign exchange export proceeds.
The Free Nutritious Meals Sycophants
2 jam lalu
The free nutritious food program is in disarray. There are indications of corruption.
Number of Free Nutritious Meal Food Poisoning Victims Reaches 11,000 as of October 12
4 jam lalu
There have been a total of 1,084 new cases of free nutritious meal poisoning within the last week or during the period from 6th to 12th October 2025.
Indonesian Army Delegation Joins Singapore Food Management Training
4 jam lalu
The Indonesian Army's delegation will receive training on the management of nutritious food with international standards.
Free Nutritious Meal Program: Bacteria in the Mustard Greens
5 jam lalu
Mass food poisoning incidents from the free nutritious meal program have occurred in various schools, with harmful microorganisms found in the food.
The Reason Prabowo Appointed Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman as Head of Bapanas
6 jam lalu
A detailed explanation given by the State Secretary Minister, Prasetyo Hadi, regarding Prabowo's decision to appoint Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman, to also hold the position as the Head of Bapanas.
Prabowo Urges Indonesian Military to Prepare Peacekeeping Forces if Gaza and Israel Make Peace
7 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto said the possibility of Indonesia sending peacekeeping forces to the Israel-Gaza border if a peace agreement occurs between the two.
Indonesia Tourism Industry Association to Send Letter to Prabowo on Tourism Law Revision
8 jam lalu
The Tourism Industry Association of Indonesia (GIPI) plans to send a letter to President Prabowo Subianto regarding the revision of the Tourism Law
Indonesia's Prabowo Departs for Egypt to Attend Gaza Peace High-Level Conference
8 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto departed for Egypt on Sunday night, October 12, 2025, to attend the Gaza Peace High-Level Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5109984/original/014787400_1737901129-medium-shot-girl-helping-brother_23-2148748684.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5237589/original/092987300_1748596794-Ibu_hamil.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5238090/original/074714200_1748671861-family-spending-time-together-mother-with-four-kids-standing-holding-hands-against-white-suv-car.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5265873/original/051498900_1750934466-WhatsApp_Image_2025-06-20_at_19.09.02_1_.jpeg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5261980/original/057446900_1750732334-front-view-sad-girl-with-hair-comb.jpg)
