Prabowo Subianto on Free Meals Program

Prabowo Subianto champions the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program as a cornerstone of his administration, primarily intended to combat childhood stunting and enhance the quality of human resources across the nation. He has touted its initial year of operation as a major success, citing statistical achievements that he argues surpass international benchmarks, such as Brazil's similar program. The president frames the initiative not merely as social aid but as a strategic, long-term national investment designed to break the cycle of poverty and deliver tangible public benefits.

Despite defending the program against claims of wastefulness and extravagant spending, the initiative has been marked by public outcry following thousands of food poisoning cases and concerns over governance failures. In response, the government has implemented measures like providing rapid testing equipment and ordering CCTVs for monitoring kitchens to prevent food quality issues. He maintains that the program is fiscally viable, funded through reallocating money from less productive government activities and events, thereby safeguarding state funds from corruption.