Indonesia Introduces Free Meal Scheme to Support Children, Pregnant Women.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s multibillion-dollar program to provide free meals to over a quarter of the country’s population has officially begun, with 570,000 people receiving meals on the first day. Despite being a cornerstone of Prabowo’s election campaign, the program’s rollout was surprisingly low-key, with no official launch event and only 190 kitchens participating in the initial phase.

The program aims to reach 82.9 million people by 2029, a feat that will require a massive logistical effort. Critics have raised concerns about the program’s estimated $28 billion price tag over five years, which could potentially strain Indonesia’s finances and undermine its reputation for fiscal responsibility.

However, Prabowo has defended the program, arguing that it will help combat child malnutrition and stimulate regional economic growth. The program’s first stage is expected to cost 71 trillion rupiah ($4.39 billion) and provide meals for 15 million people.

At an elementary school in West Jakarta, parents and students alike have welcomed the program, citing the convenience and relief it provides. Hana Yohana, a parent of a first-grader, expressed her gratitude for the program, saying it has made her morning routine easier.

“Thank God, this helps us. We normally had to work hard preparing food every morning, and now we don’t,” she said.

The government and military are working together to prepare and distribute the meals, with plans to gradually expand the number of recipients to 3 million by March and more throughout the year

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