Jakarta: On Saturday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto acknowledged that the government's 'free meals' programme, his signature project, comes with many problems. Thousands of people have fallen ill since its launch due to hygiene concerns and accusations of corruption. He says rules must be followed and violators will be disciplined. The scheme aims to provide meals for at least 82.9 million people, or one-third of the country's population, and combat food insecurity. However, the programme has faced opposition and allegations from the anti-graft watchdog ICW.
"It's true that there are many problems and challenges . Free nutritious meals comes with many problems, we must put things in order," said Prabowo Subianto.
Elementary schoolchildren eating food prepared by the government's free meal programme at a classroom in Jakarta, on Jun 23, 2025. Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto acknowledged on Saturday that the government's programme to provide free meals to combat malnutrition, his signature project,"comes with many problems".
Thousands of people have fallen ill since the much-hyped billion-dollar scheme was launched in January 2025, with critics calling for its suspension over hygiene concerns and accusations of corruption.
"It's true that there are many problems and challenges. Free nutritious meals comes with many problems, we must put things in order," Prabowo said in a speech in East Java posted to his official YouTube channel on Saturday.
The scheme, which is said to have provided meals to more than 61 million people by March, was also among the first to be cut back as Jakarta seeks to counter theIndonesia cut the programme from six days a week to five in March to save up to 40 trillion rupiah .
"Free nutritious meals are so important for our nation. Everywhere I go, I meet ordinary people, farmers, saying, 'sir, please don’t stop the free nutritious meals programme, this really helps my grandchildren to be able to eat'," he said.
Indonesia to go ahead with free meals programme despite 'extraordinary' campaign against it, president says Anti-graft watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch filed a complaint last week against Dadan Hindayana, the head of the National Nutrition Agency tasked with distributing the free meals, local media reported. ICW claimed in its submission to the Corruption Eradication Commission that there were discrepancies of nearly US$50 million in the halal certification procurement budget.
"My government has no hesitation: anyone who violates the rules, who strays, who abuses their authority, will be disciplined, we will clean them up, we will remove them from their position," he said. More than 20 per cent of children in Indonesia are affected by stunting caused by severe malnutrition. The government hoped the scheme would provide meals for at least 82.9 million people, or about one-third of the country's population, in its bid to combat food insecurity.
Please follow us on Google to support us Politics Free Meals His Signature Project Come With Many Problems Woke Up To Many Problems Many Challenges Many Problems And Challenges Malnutrition Poor Nutrition Systemic Problems Dishonest Practices Many People Fall Ill Many People In Indonesia Suffer From Malnutrit Many People Affected By Stunting Caused By Sev Provide Meals For At Least 82.9 Million People Combat Food Insecurity Many People Call For Its Suspension Have Fallen Ill Since The Much-Hyped Billion-D Severe Malnutrition Anti-Graft Watchdog ICW Corruption His Government Has No Hesitation Who Strays Who Abuses Their Authority Will Be Disciplined
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