The article, titled “Data-Interoperable Collaborative Governance for Monitoring Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program in Ambon,” was published in the International Journal of Advanced Science Research (IJASR) Volume 4 Number 7, 2026. The study highlights the importance of strengthening digital governance because MBG is a large-scale public service program involving multiple sectors, including education, health, logistics, food safety, and local economic development.
Muhtar and his research team from Pattimura University found that the main challenge of MBG implementation is not only providing nutritious meals but also ensuring that every stage of the service chain can be accurately monitored, from beneficiary identification, food production, delivery, school reception, food safety inspection, to public complaint management.
Complex Coordination Challenges in MBG Monitoring
Modern school meal programs are no longer simply food distribution activities. They have developed into complex public service systems that require coordination between multiple institutions. Program success depends on food quality, delivery accuracy, safety assurance, and the government’s ability to quickly identify and resolve problems.
In Ambon City, various institutions manage different parts of MBG data. Schools maintain information about student recipients and meal acceptance, Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) manage production and delivery records, while health agencies handle food safety inspections.
However, differences in data formats, reporting schedules, definitions, and institutional authority create fragmented information flows. As a result, government agencies may have many reports but lack a unified operational picture of conditions in the field.
The researchers emphasized that the core problem is not the absence of data, but the lack of a system that connects different data sources into reliable information for decision-making.
Research Develops an Integrated Monitoring Dashboard Design
Muhtar and colleagues applied a qualitative case study approach using a design-oriented research framework. They analyzed 17 publicly available reports published between May 2025 and April 2026, official guidelines from the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional/BGN), and the proposed MBG monitoring system design documents.
The analysis mapped the MBG service chain, identified recurring risks, and translated these challenges into requirements for data structures, performance indicators, institutional roles, and response mechanisms.
The study did not produce a fully operational digital application but created a comprehensive design framework that can serve as a foundation for developing an MBG monitoring dashboard at the local government level.
The proposed dashboard positions data as a coordination instrument rather than merely a visualization tool. It connects operational information with institutions that have the authority to respond and take corrective action.
Five Major Problems Identified in MBG Implementation
The study identified five main challenges affecting MBG monitoring in Ambon:
1. Fragmented data management across institutions
Information related to beneficiary numbers, SPPG operational status, food safety inspections, and public complaints remains distributed across multiple sources. Differences in reporting periods and data versions can create inconsistent information.
2. Food safety risks
Food safety emerged as one of the most significant concerns. The reviewed reports identified issues such as expired ingredients, sanitation problems, waste management limitations, suspected food quality problems, and the need for stronger hygiene monitoring.
The researchers highlighted the importance of food traceability, where every meal delivery can be linked to production batches, ingredients, distribution records, and school recipients.
3. Distribution delays
Ambon’s geographical characteristics as an island city create logistical challenges. Delayed deliveries can affect food quality and reduce the effectiveness of services provided to students.
The researchers recommended monitoring planned and actual delivery times, routes, delays, and exception reports to identify recurring distribution problems.
4. Unintegrated complaint management
Public complaints often emerge through various channels but are not always recorded in a structured case-management system with responsible officers, response deadlines, and documented solutions.
5. Unclear data responsibility
Each institution has different authority over information. Schools verify meal reception, SPPGs manage production and delivery, while health agencies oversee food safety. The monitoring system must ensure that each dataset has clear ownership and validation responsibility.
Dashboard Designed Around Collaboration and Accountability
The proposed MBG dashboard consists of eight major data domains, including service units, beneficiaries, food production, distribution, food safety, complaints, workforce information, and data quality management.
The system also introduces several key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
beneficiary coverage rate,
on-time delivery performance,
portion accuracy,
food safety certification status,
number of food safety cases,
complaint response time,
case resolution rate,
data completeness level.
Each indicator is connected with warning thresholds and responsible institutions. For example, delivery delays become the responsibility of SPPG operational teams, while food safety issues require coordination with health authorities and relevant agencies.
According to Muhtar and colleagues, the success of the dashboard depends not only on technology but also on shared data definitions, institutional ownership, and collaborative decision-making mechanisms.
Implications for Public Service Governance
The proposed system contributes to strengthening digital transformation in government services. The MBG dashboard can help authorities detect problems faster, prioritize interventions, and ensure that every report receives appropriate follow-up.
For communities, the system has the potential to improve public trust because transparency is not limited to showing beneficiary numbers but also demonstrates how government institutions manage risks and improve services.
The study also emphasizes that digital transformation is not achieved simply by creating an application. Effective transformation requires changes in workflows, institutional responsibilities, data governance, and accountability mechanisms.
Author Profile
Muhtar, together with Jusuf Madubun, Mike J. Rolobessy, Sonia Putri Humaira Marsaolly, and Aci Nadia Kabakoran, are researchers from Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia. Their academic interests include public governance, public administration, digital transformation in government services, and collaborative approaches to improving community services.
Research Source
Muhtar, Madubun, J., Rolobessy, M. J., Marsaolly, S. P. H., & Kabakoran, A. N. (2026). “Data-Interoperable Collaborative Governance for Monitoring Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program in Ambon.” International Journal of Advanced Science Research (IJASR), Volume 4 Number 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijasr.v4i7.265
E-ISSN: 3025-7670
Journal Website: https://nvlmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijasr/index
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