Village Development Sidelined for Free Meal Program, Residents Lament

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents of Labbo Village, Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, have expressed their grievances about the government's free nutritious meal (MBG) program. One of them, Ashar, lamented how Prabowo's flagship project is hindering village development as the budget is slashed.

According to Ashar, the funding previously channeled for village infrastructure development and community programs has been cut since the free meal program was conceived.

"Even though the village relies heavily on the funding for the development of roads and other facilities," said Ashar during a public discussion on Free Nutritious Meal and Education for National Education Day, organized online by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Ashar recalled that a number of programs agreed upon during village planning discussions (musrenbang) are no longer being realized. This results in failure to address fundamental needs of the residents, especially ones linked to the access to infrastructure necessary for the distribution of agricultural products.

"What should have been prioritized is not being addressed. This goes against the needs of the village community," he added.

In addition to the stymied physical development, Ashar also complained that the village's economy has become even more constrained after the free nutritious meal program. Food prices, he said, skyrocketed.

Similar complaints were also expressed by the Head of the Neighborhood Association (RT) in Labbo Village, Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, Rahmad Saldi Asiddiq.

Essential food materials such as poultry and rice have grown scarce since the government program was launched last year. "It's difficult to find rice, as the commodity has been purchased beforehand for MBG at a higher price," he explained.

He rued that instead of supervising the program, village authorities are seemingly unable to address the various hardships faced by the residents—pointing out that they have a vested interest in the free nutritious meal program.

"They have their own MBG kitchen or are involved in the program. If everyone is involved, who can the community turn to for help?" he questioned.

Saldi also mentioned the program's indirect impact on education. He received numerous complaints from residents regarding the loss of educational aid such as the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), which is allegedly related to the adjustment of welfare data amidst sweeping budget cuts.

The residents hope that the central government will review the free nutritious meal program funding scheme and ensure the continuity of village development.

"The residents will bear the brunt if the village development is arrested," he concluded.

Read: BEM UI Opposes Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen Project on Campus

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