The government’s plan to provide free nutritious meals (MBG) for the elderly must be supported by clear, detailed, and cautious technical guidelines. This is crucial because the nutritional and dietary needs of senior citizens are far more complex compared to other target recipients of the MBG program.
Diah Satyani Saminarsih, founder of the Center for Indonesia Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), warned that problematic MBG management for the elderly could exacerbate their vulnerability. This is due to their declining health and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among this demographic.
“The risks aren’t limited to poisoning; they also include increased health risks that could lead to severe complications. Elderly individuals often exhibit symptoms of poisoning and other health issues that are not always immediately apparent,” Diah told BBC News Indonesia on Thursday.
Grace Wangge, an Associate Professor of Public Health at Monash University Indonesia, highlighted several critical aspects for providing MBG to the elderly. These include the texture and taste of the food, its nutrient density, cleanliness and hygiene, the essential role of caregivers, and robust monitoring systems.
“The elderly are not a homogenous group. Each individual has unique health conditions and functional challenges. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to meals and delivery methods is simply not feasible,” Wangge explained.
Previously, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, announced that the government intends to provide MBG to over 100,000 elderly individuals aged 75 and above, as well as 36,000 people with disabilities, by 2026.
In addition to offering meal packages valued at Rp15,000 per portion, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) will also provide trained caregivers to look after the elderly recipients.
This MBG program for the elderly represents a transformation of the Ministry’s previous initiative, known as the Permakanan Program.
‘It would be better to replace it with money or rice; we could utilize that.’
In Semarang, Central Java, 77-year-old Saidi Hadi Sumitro diligently sells clothes and household goods daily at Peterongan Market.
“I sell just to put food on the table. If it rains, I get wet; if it’s hot, I endure the heat,” said Saidi, originally from Wonodri in South Semarang, during an interview with Kamal, reporting for BBC News Indonesia on Thursday.
Last year, Saidi received social assistance through the Family Hope Program (PKH) and is registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS), making him eligible for the MBG program for the elderly from Kemensos.
Saidi envisions several challenges in receiving the MBG.
His primary concern is the delivery process. “It’s already hard enough for me to sell my goods. How am I supposed to pick up the MBG? If they could deliver it, that would be fine.”
Furthermore, he mentioned that certain foods are sensitive and off-limits for his health.
“I suffered from a lung illness 20 years ago, and I’m grateful to still be alive. So there are some foods I must avoid,” Saidi explained. “For example, I don’t eat water spinach (kangkung) because it causes me stomach pain.”
Based on these experiences, he believes it would be better to replace the elderly MBG program with an alternative.
“I think it’s unnecessary. I wouldn’t know if someone else’s cooked food is spoiled, but I know my own. It would be better to give money or rice instead; we could truly make use of that,” he stated.
Hanung Triyono, Deputy Head of the Central Java MBG Task Force, admitted that his team had not yet received directives regarding the MBG for the elderly.
“There are no regulatory guidelines for elderly MBG yet, in line with the President’s recent instructions during the harvest festival and the announcement of food self-sufficiency,” Hanung said in a written statement.
Currently, his office records approximately 9.64 million MBG recipients across Central Java, ranging from kindergarten students to high schoolers and pesantren students.
Similarly, Endang Sarwiningsih Setyawulan, the Acting Head of the Semarang City Social Affairs Office, echoed these sentiments.
“In Semarang, there have been no instructions from Kemensos, and I’ve also coordinated with the Head of the MBG in Semarang City. The additional recipients being served are toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers,” she clarified.
‘If given, I’d be very grateful, but it’s not paid for, right?’
In contrast to Saidi, Welas, a 96-year-old woman from Solo, warmly welcomed the MBG for the elderly.
“If it’s given, I’d be very grateful, but it’s not paid for, right?” the woman, born on January 15, 1930, asked journalist Fajar Sodiq in Solo on Thursday.
Welas, who resides in a densely populated neighborhood in Kampung Nayu, Banjarsari, claims she has never been registered as a recipient of government social assistance.
“Never received BLT [direct cash assistance], never received BLT. My hope is that I should be eligible. Everything comes from the state; if the state doesn’t give, then it’s okay,” she said.
Welas now spends her days caring for her grandchildren. She previously sold mobile tengkleng (a traditional Javanese goat soup) but was forced to stop when the COVID virus hit in the 2020s.
Despite past incidents where MBG distribution in schools led to poisoning, Welas remains unconcerned.
“Well, everything is given by God, so be it. God controls everything and gives life. If there are [poisoning incidents], that’s just an obstacle,” she remarked.
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Purwanti, Deputy Head of the Solo City MBG Task Force, stated that the Food Service Provider Unit (SPPG) in Solo has not yet distributed MBG for the elderly in its region.
“Not yet [elderly MBG]. We are prioritizing toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hernawaty, Head of Social Rehabilitation at the Solo Social Affairs Office, mentioned that her department is still unaware of the technical guidelines and regulations from Kemensos regarding the elderly MBG program.
“For elderly MBG, I don’t know the technical guidelines. So, if they say MBG, it’s almost similar to schools; we don’t know how it will be managed, who the targets are. We don’t know what the technical guidelines are like, or what the basic regulatory framework is,” she explained.
Hernawaty also expressed uncertainty about whether the elderly MBG program would replace Kemensos’ previous Permakanan Program.
“Is it just a name change, or perhaps a change of operator? The operators are currently community groups; maybe they’ll be replaced by MBG kitchens, but I don’t know about the distribution,” she speculated.
In Solo, the Kemensos Permakanan Program operated in two sub-districts, Banjarsari and Jebres, serving a total of 43 elderly recipients.
What is elderly MBG and how will it be implemented?
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, revealed that his ministry is preparing the MBG program for the elderly and people with disabilities by 2026, with an estimated annual budget of approximately Rp1.18 trillion.
“MBG for neglected elderly above 75 years old will reach over 100,000 individuals. Then MBG for people with disabilities, though it’s still only 36,000, which is not many. Hopefully, we are still processing this,” Gus Ipul told reporters on Thursday.
Gus Ipul also confirmed that the plan has received approval from President Prabowo Subianto and is currently in the preparation phase within his ministry.
According to Gus Ipul, one MBG portion will cost Rp15,000 and will be provided twice daily.
The elderly MBG will be supplied by local community groups (pokmas) located near the beneficiaries. Each community group is expected to provide a minimum of 40 MBG portions.
“These are community groups, so they are informal. Local community groups typically formed by neighborhood associations (RT/RW) or sub-districts, like PKK mothers,” Gus Ipul explained.
This approach differs from the MBG provided by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is supplied by Food Service Provider Units (SPPG).
Furthermore, Kemensos will also provide caregivers to assist and look after the elderly. Currently, these caregivers are undergoing training.
Gus Ipul clarified that this elderly MBG program is a transformation of the previous Permakanan Program, featuring enhancements such as improved menus and dining arrangements.
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Under the Permakanan program, the criteria for elderly recipients included:
- Poor or economically disadvantaged,
- Aged 75 years or older,
- Registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS),
- Not a retired civil servant, spouse of a civil servant, or retired military/police personnel,
- Possessing a National Identity Number (NIK) and Family Card number.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto set a target for the MBG program to be evenly distributed across all villages by 2026, targeting students, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan aims for the MBG program to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries by 2026.
Elderly Nutritional Needs Are More Complex
Grace Wangge, Associate Professor of Public Health at Monash University Indonesia, reiterated that fulfilling the nutritional needs of the elderly is more intricate than for any other age group.
“For children, especially in schools, there are teachers and parents supervising. But the elderly are adults with their own desires, habits, and diverse medical histories and health conditions. This leads to much greater variation. Yet, the current MBG system tends to standardize everything,” Grace observed.
Grace Wangge highlighted several crucial considerations for providing MBG to the elderly.
First, texture and taste. Elderly individuals often require softer, palatable food due to declining digestive systems and taste perception.
“If they don’t like the food, they usually won’t eat it. This is especially true for those with cognitive impairments or dementia, who sometimes forget to eat. These health conditions demand careful attention,” Grace emphasized.
Second is the need for nutrient-dense protein and carbohydrates, offered in smaller portions because the elderly often have reduced stomach capacity and slower metabolism.
“The reliance on ultra-processed foods by SPPGs, as observed so far, is worrying. These foods are typically high in salt and sugar, which are detrimental to the elderly, many of whom suffer from hypertension and other conditions requiring specialized diets,” she added.
Regarding the Rp15,000 per portion cost for one meal, Grace believes this amount is sufficient, provided that abundant local food resources in each region are utilized effectively.
Referring to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for elderly nutrition services, many older adults experience insufficient intake of both macronutrients and micronutrients.
Beyond inadequate intake of carbohydrates (11.1%-22.4%), protein (5.7%-22.4%), and fats (7.1%-12.5%), over 70% of the elderly population also suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.
Third, food must be clean and hygienic. The declining bodily functions and health issues experienced by the elderly mean that consuming problematic food could have severe consequences.
“For instance, if food for the elderly isn’t prepared properly, leading to poisoning, infection, or choking due to its texture, it can drastically worsen their health, and their recovery will take much longer,” she warned.
Fourth, the role of caregivers is paramount in understanding the unique characteristics of each elderly individual.
“Therefore, caregivers must truly comprehend each elderly person’s specific health issues, habits, food restrictions, and personal preferences to ensure the food is consumed effectively.”
Echoing this, Diah Satyani from CISDI also stated that nutritional fulfillment for the elderly is more complex due to their generally declining health and, for many, the presence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
These conditions, she added, directly impact the dietary needs and eating patterns of the elderly, making them distinct from those of other MBG target groups.
“Problematic MBG management will undoubtedly heighten the vulnerability of the elderly. The risks include not only poisoning but also increased health risks that can lead to disease complications,” Diah explained.
“This is because elderly individuals often exhibit symptoms of poisoning and other health risks that are not always obvious. They are also more susceptible to dehydration or serious infections that can be difficult to detect,” she further noted.
Moreover, she argued, the mass-production approach of MBG opens the door to the use of ultra-processed foods, high in sodium, sugar, fats, and chemical exposure in elderly meal menus.
CISDI’s MBG Study Series 2 revealed that only 17% of the meals met the standard of 30-35% of the daily Recommended Nutritional Intake (RNI), not to mention the homogenous nature of the food sources.
“The presence of unbalanced and unhealthy food can not only cause poisoning but also escalate various health risk factors for the elderly,” Diah concluded.
Community nutrition expert Dr. Tan Shot Yen pointed out that the elderly are highly susceptible to chronic diseases.
For this reason, she added, the MBG program should not standardize food for all elderly individuals.
“Even those who claim ‘no health problems’ might not actually be disease-free; they just haven’t been checked,” she stated.
Professor of Food and Nutrition at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Ali Khomsan, holds the view that the elderly fall into a nutritionally vulnerable group.
“Given their advanced age and the various degenerative diseases many of them experience, attention must be paid to providing low-sugar, low-salt, low-fat, and low-cholesterol foods for specific elderly individuals with nutritional problems,” Khomsan advised.
“The diversity in food, which has already been reflected in the MBG menu, is satisfactory and can be continued,” he added.
He also noted that observations in November and December 2025 showed a decrease in poisoning incidents, “and this indicates that SPPGs are becoming more careful in preparing food. This vigilance must be maintained to prevent further poisoning.”
What Should the Government Consider?
Given the intricate nature of elderly nutrition, Grace Wangge stressed that the implementation of elderly MBG must be guided by clear, detailed, and extremely cautious technical guidelines.
The objective is to ensure the program effectively targets and improves the nutrition of the elderly, thereby reducing hospitalization rates that contribute to the healthcare burden.
“If the technical guidelines are clear, this isn’t something to fear. In fact, it’s excellent that the elderly are being prioritized. What truly worries us is that if children are already experiencing [poisoning], what will happen to the elderly?” Grace questioned.
Meanwhile, Diah Satyani from CISDI believes the government could better empower the elderly through existing and operational programs, such as elderly services at Posyandu (integrated health service posts).
Through such programs, she suggested, health services monitor healthy lifestyle behaviors, balanced diets, and adherence of the elderly to medication and treatments.
“Furthermore, the model for providing food to the elderly could also involve a subsidy scheme for fresh, healthy, and nutritionally balanced food, similar to what is seen in Australia,” she proposed.
Diah also advised that the government could strengthen community involvement in providing meals for the elderly, mirroring the interventions already present in Posyandu.
As an example, she cited Thailand and Vietnam, which actively involve communities in elderly care services, including meal provision.
“Therefore, the government should focus resources on reinforcing primary healthcare services that already offer integrated care for the elderly,” she concluded.
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Journalists Kamal in Semarang and Fajar Sodiq in Solo contributed to this article.
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Summary
The Indonesian government plans to implement a Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program for over 100,000 elderly individuals aged 75 and above by 2026, including support from trained caregivers. However, public health experts emphasize that the elderly have complex and diverse nutritional needs, making a standardized meal approach highly risky. Concerns include potential food poisoning, exacerbated health complications due to specific dietary restrictions, hygiene issues, and the critical need for clear, detailed technical guidelines for meal preparation and delivery.
Some elderly potential recipients prefer cash or rice as an alternative to prepared meals, citing personal health-related dietary restrictions, challenges with delivery, and worries about food safety. While the Ministry of Social Affairs is preparing the program, many local government task forces and social affairs offices currently lack specific directives or technical guidelines for the elderly MBG implementation. The program, a transformation of the existing Permakanan Program, aims to provide two Rp15,000 portions daily via local community groups.