The chairman of BEM UGM, Tiyo Ardianto, faces serious threats, including threats of murder, after voicing sharp criticism of the Free Nutritious Eating (MBG) program.
The criticism focuses on three main aspects: the transfer of Rp223 trillion in national education funding deemed to violate the constitution, unaccountable governance that is prone to becoming a political tool of the ruling party, and the inaccuracy of targeting beneficiaries because it includes children from wealthy families.
Tiyo stressed that MBG's huge budget is actually more than enough to free the tuition fees of all students in Indonesia, who only need about Rp183 trillion.
While acknowledging the existence of stunting problems, he argued that MBG was not the right solution because it risked burdening the state's finances.
Therefore, he urged a comprehensive reform so that the program does not erode education funding, has transparency that the public can monitor, and only targets the poor in need.
Despite pressure from unknown parties, Tiyo still gained support from the campus on the grounds of freedom of expression.
———————— Nurhadi Sucahyo
