The Jakarta Government redirected the budget for free breakfast to increase the number of recipients for Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) and Jakarta Superior Student Card (KJMU).

Free breakfast will be redirected to increase the capacity of KJP

The number of KJP recipients will be increased from 520,000 to 705,000 recipients. While, the number of KJMU recipients will be increased from 15,000 to 20,000 recipients next year.

This statement was conveyed by Jakarta Governor, Pramono Anung, after meeting with National Nutrition Agency Head, Dadan Hindayana, at Jakarta City Hall yesterday.

"I've also reported to the Head of Nutrition Agency that the previous KJP issue has not been resolved and will be completed this month. Because the budget that intended for free breakfast will be redirected to increase the capacity of KJP, which is a serious problem in Jakarta," he expressed, Thursday (3/13).

He aimed to complete the distribution of educational assistance KJP and KJMU to recipients by April at the latest.

Regarding KJMU program, he assured the 15,000 students who had previously been designated as KJMU recipients will continue to receive assistance every year until they graduate from college.

However, they set a requirement for KJMU recipients, namely that the GPA must be maintained at a good level.

"The KJMU program, the Jakarta Superior Student Card, which was previously stalled, will be continued. For the residents, there will be 15,000 who will receive KJMU, and it will not be evaluated as it was before every year. By so, we will support them until they graduate, but we require a minimum GPA," he explained.

He said the increase in the number of KJP and KJMU recipients was expected to have a significant impact on the welfare of Jakarta residents.

He also expressed full support for the free nutritious meal program initiated by the central government. This support is manifested in the form of renovating the school canteen.

"The breakfast program that we once proposed will be altered. The first change is to improve the cafeterias in schools, which will also support the program run by the Nutrition Agency," he explained.

School canteens will be transformed into nutrition processing service units that can also serve various surrounding schools.

National Nutrition Agency Head, Dadan Hindayana, explained Jakarta would have a total of 791 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) for free nutritious food (MBG). Currently, Jakarta has only 33 SPPG and will add nine more SPPG on March 14.

He said that one of the main obstacles in the free nutritious food program is the infrastructure. Hence, the Jakarta Government's support for transforming the canteen would expedite the implementation of the free nutritious food program.

"And I also convey that his promise to provide breakfast will still be met. Because preschool and elementary school children will still have breakfast. So, we will synergize with one another," he closed.