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Prabowo Supporters Form Cyber Team to Counter “Slander” Against Free Meal Program
A coalition of supporters loyal to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has announced plans to establish a dedicated cyber team. Their mission: to combat what they describe as widespread disinformation targeting the government’s flagship free nutritious meal program, known locally as MBG.
“We will collectively move to counter disinformation, slander, and hatred continuously launched by people who do not want MBG to be successful,” said Ricky Tamba, a representative of the volunteer organization Jaringan 98, during a press briefing at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.
Tamba, who also serves as Chairman of the Central Leadership Council for the Gerindra Party—Prabowo’s political party—claims that individuals opposed to the President have been orchestrating a coordinated campaign to undermine public confidence in the meal program.
The cyber team initiative comes amid growing tensions surrounding media coverage of alleged incidents involving the free meal distribution. Tamba specifically highlighted what he termed “clickbait” news reports about food poisoning cases allegedly linked to the program.
One incident that particularly concerned the volunteer groups involved media coverage of a student death in West Bandung this September. According to Tamba, several outlets prematurely connected the death to MBG food poisoning before official verification.
“It was said that one person died from poisoning, although it did not happen after verification,” Tamba explained. “Media that amplified this news spread false information. This is part of the duty of the volunteers to counter such disinformation.”
He added that those who amplify unverified news about the meal program “are more wicked than the fake news itself” because “false news spreads wider, eventually sparking unrest everywhere.”
The cyber team will draw members from at least seven pro-Prabowo volunteer organizations that have united under the “Great Indonesia Alliance” umbrella. These groups include the Gatot Kaca organization, Jaringan 98, Team 8 Prabowo-Gibran, Nawasena Indonesia Emas, Srikandi Prabowo-Gibran Experience, Bara JP, and Pancasila National House.
The incident referenced by Tamba occurred on September 24, when 121 students at SMK Negeri 1 Cihampelas in West Bandung reportedly fell ill after consuming meals provided through the MBG program. Rumors subsequently circulated that one student had died from food poisoning related to the free meals.
However, an investigation by the West Bandung Health Office determined that a student with the initials BR did not die from consuming the free meal. According to their findings, more than two days elapsed between when the student consumed the meal and when symptoms appeared—suggesting no direct connection.
Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency, has firmly rejected any link between the student’s death and the meal program. “It has been explained from there that there is no connection,” Hindayana stated during a press conference at the Ministry of Health Building in Jakarta on October 2.
Hindayana noted that BGN has not conducted a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the student’s death, as the victim’s parents declined to authorize an autopsy.
The free nutritious meal program represents one of President Prabowo’s key policy initiatives, aimed at improving child nutrition and educational outcomes across Indonesia. The program has faced both logistical challenges and political criticism since its implementation.
Political analysts note that the formation of this cyber team reflects the administration’s sensitivity to public perception of its flagship programs, particularly as the Prabowo government works to solidify public support in its early months.
The controversy highlights the increasingly contentious information landscape in Indonesian politics, where social media can rapidly amplify both verified and unverified claims, potentially influencing public opinion about government initiatives.
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10 Comments
Allegations of a coordinated disinformation campaign are serious. I’ll be interested to see what evidence the cyber team presents to support their claims. Maintaining objectivity on both sides will be crucial for a productive discussion.
The free meal program seems like a worthwhile endeavor, but the claims of a coordinated disinformation campaign are concerning. I hope the cyber team can provide clear, objective information to the public without resorting to partisan rhetoric.
Agreed, clarity and neutrality will be important in their approach. It will be interesting to see what specific disinformation they aim to counter and how they go about it.
This highlights the challenges of navigating political divides and misinformation, even around seemingly straightforward public programs. I hope the cyber team’s efforts focus on constructive dialogue rather than partisan attacks.
The free meal program sounds like a positive government initiative to address nutrition and food security. It’s concerning to hear allegations of a coordinated campaign to undermine public trust in it. Maintaining objectivity will be key as this issue plays out.
Yes, it’s important to get the facts straight on the program’s implementation and impact. I’m curious to see how the cyber team’s efforts unfold and whether they can help shed light on the situation.
Interesting to see Prabowo supporters taking a proactive stance against disinformation around this government program. While political tensions can run high, it’s important to have an open and fact-based dialogue on public initiatives like this free meal program.
Agreed, countering disinformation with transparency and facts is crucial. I hope this cyber team can provide reliable information to the public without stoking further division.
It’s good to see efforts to counter disinformation, but I hope this cyber team can do so in a measured, fact-based way that avoids inflaming political tensions further. Transparency and open dialogue are key for public trust in government initiatives.
Disinformation can be a real challenge, especially around government programs. I hope the cyber team can rise above partisan politics and focus on facts and transparency. Cultivating public trust should be the priority.