In the first few months of 2026, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) did something unexpected but very important to help shape the future of children all over the country. It wasn’t about arrests or patrols. It was about health, food, community, and hope.
The Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis or MBG) program was gaining popularity across the archipelago, especially in remote areas like Papua. It was a key part of the country’s efforts to improve the quality of its human resources. The police were becoming more than just a group that enforced the law. In this situation, Polri stepped up to help the MBG program in January and February 2026 by building kitchens and providing services directly to communities. This shows how the organization is changing its role in social development and public service.
From Enforcement to Involvement
People usually think of the police as people who stop crime, keep traffic moving, and keep the peace. But things have been changing quietly lately. Polri has played a big role in making sure that more schoolchildren and families can get healthy meals. This participation is part of larger national goals to fight malnutrition and create a healthier, more capable generation across Indonesia, even in Papua.
On February 13, 2026, during a national ceremony in West Jakarta, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto opened 1,179 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) units, which are police-linked units that help meet nutrition needs like community kitchens, and 18 food security warehouses run by Polri. As part of the MBG initiative, these places are meant to make and give away free healthy meals. General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the Chief of Police, said that by the end of 2026, these units would grow to 1,500 SPPG across Indonesia.
Out of these units, 33 will be built in the most remote and difficult areas, which are known as 3T areas (Tertinggal, Terdepan, and Terluar, or underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost areas), including Papua. This shows that people are working hard to make sure that everyone has equal access to healthy food, no matter where they live.
Why Food Is Important for Developing Human Resources
Food is more than just fuel. It is the basis of health, learning, and being productive. Kids who eat a balanced diet are more likely to have stronger immune systems, go to school more often, and develop their brains better. A strong society and a productive workforce both depend on good nutrition.
Papua has always had trouble getting good food and education services because of its unique geographical and social problems. For a lot of families, healthy meals are hard to find or too expensive because they live in remote areas with few services. In these kinds of situations, programs like MBG can really help.
Some areas of Papua, like Danau Sentani, say that the MBG program has helped get kids to school more often. Teachers say that when students eat a healthy lunch, they pay more attention, have more energy, and behave better in class.
What Polri Does on the Ground in Papua
The Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) has been very helpful with the MBG program. In January 2026, the Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) under Polda Papua began offering services to schools, including SMP Negeri 1 Jayapura. Hundreds of students there started getting free, healthy meals that were made with strict attention to hygiene and nutrition standards.
Komisaris Besar Pol. Jermias Rontini, a high-ranking officer in the Papua Police, said that the MBG initiative shows a real commitment to raising healthier, smarter children who can be the backbone of Papua’s future workforce. The goal is not just to feed people but to help them reach their full potential.
A lot of families in Papua’s highlands and on the coast have seen the help as a lifeline. Before, kids in some communities didn’t always get meals during school hours. Thanks to MBG and police-run SPPGs, kids can now get balanced meals at school. This helps parents who have trouble paying for food every day.
Facing Problems in Remote Areas
Polri officials admit that serving Papua’s mountainous and scattered communities is not easy. It takes work to build kitchens, train staff, and make sure food is safe. The police and the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional, or BGN) are working together to do surveys and find the best places to build SPPGs in Papua Pegunungan, Papua Barat Daya, and Papua Tengah. These surveys are very important for making sure that the MBG program meets the needs of the community and that the food gets to the people who need it most.
Logistics can be hard in Papua because the terrain is so rough. There may not be paved roads, and the weather can make travel difficult. When this happens, local police and community leaders can help make sure that national policy is followed in the right way.
A Partnership with Communities
Polri doesn’t run the MBG program by itself. They work with schools, local health officials, community volunteers, and families. Police officers work with these groups to make sure that the meals made in SPPG kitchens meet nutritional standards and cultural preferences. Meals have a balance of protein, vegetables, and carbs that help kids grow and learn.
Local health workers also check the safety and cleanliness of food before it is given out. This partnership makes sure that the meals are not only healthy but also safe and respectful of other cultures.
In some areas, SPPG teams hold community workshops on nutrition to show families how to make healthy meals at home using ingredients that are easy to find. This part of MBG’s education goes beyond the school walls.
A Visible Difference in Children’s Lives
The effects of MBG can already be seen in many Papua communities. Teachers say that students come to school more excited, ready to learn, and less likely to skip class because they are hungry. Attendance rates have gone up, and kids who used to have trouble paying attention now stay alert all day.
Parents are also happy because MBG takes some of the financial stress off of them. Parents don’t have to worry about sending their kids to school with lunch money or making complicated meals before school anymore. Instead, they can focus on being there for each other and being active in their communities.
These improvements in health and education not only have short-term benefits, but they also help set the stage for long-term growth. People who are well-fed as children are more likely to become adults who can work and contribute to their communities and economies.
Polri’s Commitment to More Than Just Security
Polri’s role in MBG shows how the police force’s role in Indonesian society is changing in a bigger way. People are starting to see the organization as a partner in national development, not just for keeping the peace but also for supporting programs that improve people’s lives. Their work in Papua shows that they take a whole-person approach that combines public health and safety.
Chief of Polri General Listyo Sigit Prabowo made it clear at the inauguration in February that the goal is not only to build infrastructure but also to make sure that everyone has fair access to basic services. The police are becoming more involved in communities beyond their usual duties because there are SPPG units in 3T areas and construction is still going on all over Indonesia.
Conclusion
The MBG program has big plans. The project is set to become a key part of national human resource development, with plans to grow to 1,500 SPPG units by the end of 2026 and police kitchens alone expected to reach nearly three million people.
In Papua, this program will help more kids get healthy meals that help them grow, learn, and be healthy. As the program grows into more remote areas and includes local food traditions, it will keep changing not just people’s health but also their social opportunities.
Police involvement in MBG is a great example of how security organizations can help society move forward in new and creative ways. Polri is helping to build a stronger, healthier generation in Papua and all of Indonesia by making it easier for people to get food and feed their kids.
Every meal that SPPG kitchens serve is more than just food. It shows that a community cares about its future and that a country is dedicated to making sure that every child, no matter where they live, has the chance to do well.