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Jun 18, 20261
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DPR Rejects Komnas HAM Finding on Free Meal Program
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Deputy Speaker of Commission XIII Sugiat Santoso disputed Komnas HAM's assessment that the Free Nutritious Meals program may involve human rights violations. He argued the program is intended to fulfil the right to food and other basic rights, and said implementation flaws should not automatically be treated as abuses.
Quick Facts
Who
Sugiat Santoso
What
rejected Komnas HAM's assessment of possible human rights violations in the MBG program
When
Kamis, 18/6/2026
Where
Jakarta
- rejected Komnas HAM's assessment of possible human rights violations in the MBG program
- described MBG as a state effort to fulfil basic human rights
- acknowledged governance and implementation shortcomings in the program
- argued that shortcomings do not automatically equal human rights violations
- criticised Komnas HAM's call for a comprehensive evaluation while also alleging rights violations
Deputy chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission XIII, Sugiat Santoso, has rejected the National Commission on Human Rights' conclusion that the Free Nutritious Meals program, known as MBG, showed indications of human rights violations. He said the program should instead be viewed as a concrete effort by the state to fulfil basic rights, including the right to adequate food and protection from hunger.
Sugiat said MBG carries a human rights mission because it is meant to support children's and citizens' access to basic needs, growth and quality of life. In his view, it is not accurate to describe the program as a rights violation simply because implementation problems have emerged.
He acknowledged that the program still has weaknesses in governance and implementation, but argued that irregularities or shortcomings do not automatically amount to human rights abuses. He also said Komnas HAM had mixed its assessment of the program's implementation with a legal finding of rights violations.
Komnas HAM had previously called for a thorough evaluation of MBG and said there were strong indications of human rights violations in its execution. Sugiat said that assessment was contradictory and insisted that any formal judgment of a rights violation should come through a full monitoring and investigation process.
Why This Matters
This debate is significant because it sets a precedent for how Indonesia balances social program delivery with human rights accountability. If Komnas HAM's view prevails, it could force a major rethink of MBG's design and oversight, affecting millions of schoolchildren. Conversely, if the DPR's view dominates, it may weaken human rights oversight of state welfare schemes, impacting future policy formulation and public trust.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireKompas.com published remarks from Sugiat Santoso rejecting Komnas HAM's assessment of the MBG program.
Jun 18, 2026
WireSugiat said MBG is intended to fulfil human rights and that implementation flaws do not automatically constitute rights violations.