Jakarta, March 19 -- President Prabowo Subianto said more than 1,000 kitchens serving Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program have been temporarily suspended to improve service quality, as authorities tighten oversight of food safety and hygiene standards.

In a statement issued Thursday, the president said the move aims to ensure all kitchens comply with strict requirements on nutrition, sanitation and safe food handling across the nationwide program.

"I checked directly. I called the head of the National Nutrition Agency and continue to cross-check," Prabowo said during a meeting with journalists and experts at his residence in Bogor, West Java.

He said the decision followed field inspections and public feedback highlighting sh...