Pro-MBG Rally Participants Say They Were Paid to Attend

Pro-MBG Rally Participants Say They Were Paid to Attend

Pro MBG Rally Participants Say They – On Monday, June 22, 2026, a group known as the Jakarta Community Alliance gathered at the National Monument in Jakarta, Indonesia, to protest in favor of the free nutritious meal (MBG) initiative. Some attendees revealed they had been encouraged to join the demonstration. Bunga, a resident of Cempaka Putih in Central Jakarta, explained that her participation was prompted by a friend’s invitation. She learned about the rally the night prior and stated, “My friend invited me last night,” during the event.

Reasons for Participation

Bunga shared that her child benefits from the MBG program at school, which motivated her to support President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiative by attending the rally. She traveled to the protest site by motorbike, yet noted that the group was divided into smaller teams, each led by a separate coordinator. She was unaware of the overall leadership for the event.

Unexpected Financial Incentives

During the demonstration, Margi, a man from North Jakarta, claimed they were waiting for monetary compensation after the rally. “I received Rp50,000,” he said, describing the encounter. Margi, who had never participated in a protest before, met the organizer at a church on Sunday afternoon. The individual, referred to as F, was unknown to him beforehand. “There was a new person who came and asked to know me. They invited me to the demonstration,” Margi added.

He had been promised Rp80,000 for attending, but when he and 20 others from his congregation arrived, the organizer was no longer present. Margi then approached another group leader and received the remaining amount. “The money was given in cash without an envelope,” he noted. Not all participants received the same sum; a woman from South Jakarta, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned receiving Rp60,000. She had been initially promised Rp100,000, and described the distribution as “unfair. It’s a bait-and-switch.”

Others Joined Without Payment

Andir, a man from Kebon Jeruk in West Jakarta, said he was informed about the rally via a messaging app the night before. He attended with his wife and seven-year-old child, stating, “It’s just for the experience,” and adding that there was no pocket money involved. “None, just tagging along. The neighbors just informed us about the MBG demo at Monas. Whether we wanted to join or not, we did. Transportation was also self-funded,” the 45-year-old father explained.

The demonstration, which took place in the southern area of Monas, was attended by people in white clothing. They dispersed by evening. In addition to civilians, MBG kitchen workers from the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) also joined. One group of protesters arrived from SPPG Jatinegara 02 in East Jakarta. Mai Aldi, a field assistant, reported that 47 staff members were involved. “Thank God they all came,” he remarked at the rally site.

Aldi said the employees had independently decided to participate. They pooled funds for meals, posters, and other rally expenses. “Coincidentally, we had an initiative to collect volunteer funds, asking each person for Rp20,000,” he mentioned. He added that there were no direct orders from the MBG program’s owners or managers to attend the demonstration. The SPPG staff expressed concerns about the program’s potential discontinuation, citing an alleged corruption case in the National Nutrition sector.