YLBHI: TNI Involved in Operating MBG Kitchen

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) states that TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) soldiers are frequently involved in the implementation of several government programs under Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

One of the most prominent is the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. YLBHI reports that, to date, the TNI has operated 133 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs). Additionally, 339 SPPGs are being prepared for operation under the TNI.

"This does not include the number of SPPGs established on TNI-owned land, which are then rented by non-TNI SPPG managers," YLBHI wrote in a statement on its website on Saturday (4/10/2025).

When this program was first launched, the TNI had already prepared 351 District Military Commands (Kodim), 14 Main Naval Bases (Lantamal), and 41 Air Bases (Lanud) to ensure its execution.

Other TNI involvement in the food sector includes the purchase of paddy for Bulog (State Logistics Agency). The Prabowo Subianto administration set the government purchase price (HPP) for paddy at Rp6,500/kg. The former Bulog Director, an active military officer, Major General TNI Novi Helmy Prasetya, who has now been replaced by Major General TNI Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, engaged Village Supervisory Non-Commissioned Officers (Babinsa) to purchase paddy from farmers.

Babinsa actively supervise to ensure that the HPP is adhered to, not only in Bulog's purchases but also by private rice mills.

"Even though the government's HPP provides price stability for farmers, the involvement of Babinsa in this matter cannot be justified because it introduces military elements into the rice economic system," YLBHI wrote.

The TNI is also actively involved in the Food Estate program. According to YLBHI, this TNI involvement is justified by the Ministry of Defense as the leading sector in the program to support strategic aspects and national food security, especially strategic reserves and development in border areas.

"This is carried out through the deployment of TNI soldiers for land clearing, particularly in the South Papua Province," YLBHI stated.

YLBHI believes that the involvement of the military for reasons of food securitization not only distances the TNI further from its function as a state defense tool but also involves this institution in agrarian conflicts with local indigenous communities.

"This leads to TNI soldiers being involved in human rights violations because they have to secure non-military interests," YLBHI said.