JAKARTA, June 2026 – The Deputy Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Wamendes PDT), Ahmad Riza Patria, has firmly asserted that he is not involved in any corrupt practices or unlawful actions currently under investigation regarding the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program.

Riza Patria explained that the involvement of the Ministry of Villages and PDT in the MBG Program is mandated strictly under Presidential Regulation No. 115 of 2025 concerning the Governance of the Free Nutritious Meals Program, Presidential Decree No. 28 of 2025 regarding the Free Nutritious Meals Coordination Team, and the Decree of the Head of the National Nutrition Agency No. 64321 of 2026 concerning the Technical Guidelines for MBG Program Governance in Remote Areas for the 2026 Fiscal Year.

According to him, these regulations position the Ministry of Villages and PDT as a supporting and collaborative institution, with a specific focus on the aspect of rural empowerment.

"The role of the Ministry of Villages and PDT is to ensure that villages can actively participate in the food supply chain to support the Free Nutritious Meals Program, thereby allowing its economic benefits to be directly felt by rural communities. This role is strictly coordinative and empowerment-oriented; it does not involve appointing third parties, managing kitchens, or overseeing procurement processes. To this day, I do not manage or own a single SPPG kitchen," Riza Patria stated.

"I have never been involved in any corrupt practices or unlawful acts currently being questioned in this case. Throughout my service as Vice Chairman of Commissions II and V of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Chairman of the MPR Fraction from the Gerindra Party, Vice Governor of Jakarta, and now as Deputy Minister of Villages and PDT, I have never once misused my office for personal gain, meddled in projects, or engaged in corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN)," he emphasized.

Riza Patria further explained that throughout his career in both the legislative and executive branches, he has never abused his authority and has consistently strived to fulfill his duties with high integrity while complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

In light of the circulating information, Riza Patria invited all parties to respect the ongoing legal process and to prioritize the principle of presumption of innocence.

Amid the public attention surrounding the developing case, Riza Patria expressed hope that the focus on rural development remains undisrupted. He reiterated that villages hold a strategic role in strengthening food security, creating employment, reducing poverty, and driving national economic growth.

"President Prabowo’s objective for the Free Nutritious Meals Program goes beyond the health sector in terms of nutrition fulfillment and reducing stunting rates. MBG also plays a pivotal role in the education sector by enhancing student concentration and school attendance. Socially, it fosters community cooperation among villagers to meet kitchen demands. And equally important, MBG drives the economic sector. Through the state funds injected by the government, the MBG program holds massive potential to stimulate the rural economy by involving farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, MSMEs, village cooperatives, and Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa). My commitment remains unchanged: to ensure that rural communities reap the maximum benefits from government-led development programs, while boosting village productivity, economic reinforcement, and community engagement," he concluded.

Photo: Heri Purnomo/detikcom