Mothers Should Give Nutritious Food to their Children, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, has a dialogue with recipients of KIP at Batam, Riau Islands, Thursday (23/3) afternoon. (Photo: PR/Agung)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo asked mothers to give their children high protein foods in addition to the supplementary nutrition.“Don’t forget to give high protein foods, such as egg, fish, meat, tofu, tempe, etc, so the children will be smart,” the President said when distributing Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), Aspiring Family Program (PKH), and Supplementary Feeding (PMT), at the yard of Galang Subdistrict’s office, Batam, Riau Islands, on Thursday (23/3).

However, for supplementary feeding, the President reminded to follow the rules. For pregnant women in their first trimester, the President explained, they shall consume 2 pieces of biscuit/day, while for those in their second and third trimester they shall consume 3 pieces/day. “Its nutrition composition is really high,” the President said.

For 6-12 months baby, they shall consume 8 pieces/day. “Only 8 pieces, while for 1-5 years old children, they shall consume 12 pieces/day,” the President further said.

The President firmly said that in their period of growth, the children’s nutrition must get full attention so they will be smart.

According to the President, Indonesia needs smart children since within the next 20-30 years, competition among countries will be really tight. “If they (other countries) are smart, we should be smarter, so we can compete,” the President said while extending the importance of PMT, KIS, and PKH. These programs aim to prepare the children to be ready to compete with other countries.

Don’t Use It to Buy Cigarette

On that occasion, the President, who was accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, reminded  the recipients of KIP to use their money to buy school supplies, such as uniform, shoes, books, etc, and do not use it to buy phone credits. “I remind you not to use the money in KIP to buy phone credits. The Card will be revoked if anyone misuses it,” the President affirmed.

The President also reminded the same thing to the mothers, recipients of PKH. The money must be used for the children’s school supplies.If your husband wants to use it to buy cigarettes, you should not give it. “No. It’s for education purposes, for school supplies. Otherwise, the Card will be revoked,” the President said.

Also attending the event were Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Director of Social Security Provider Body forHealth (BPJS Kesehatan) Fahmi Idris, and Governor of Riau Islands Nurdin Basirun. (SM/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)