Indonesia raises budget for free meal programme

Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has announced an increase in the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) to 100 trillion Rp (5.9 billion USD).

Students enjoying free meals at Lengkong 1 elementary school in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Jan 6. (Photo: EPA-EFE)
Students enjoying free meals at Lengkong 1 elementary school in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Jan 6. (Photo: EPA-EFE)

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has announced an increase in the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) to 100 trillion Rp (5.9 billion USD).

Speaking at the 2025 BRI Microfinance Outlook in Tangerang on January 30, Indrawati revealed that the programme's budget will rise from 71 trillion Rp (4.2 billion USD) to 100 trillion Rp, a move aimed at boosting small and medium-sized businesses across the country through a multiplier effect.

She emphasised that the government is focusing on budget efficiency, optimising state spending to ensure effective use of public funds for the benefit of the community, including the MBG programme.

She noted that the MBG programme, which targets 82.9 million beneficiaries, represents a significant long-term investment.

Originally set to be completed by the end of 2025, the programme’s timeline has been reset to September 2025 following a presidential directive./.

VNA

See more

Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn (R) (Photo: asean.org)

ASEAN chief confident in Malaysia’s chairmanship

Malaysia's priorities for its 2025 chairmanship include strengthening ASEAN centrality, fostering trust through dialogue, diplomacy, and goodwill, and expanding economic partnerships beyond ASEAN borders.

Malaysia’s foreign direct investment is expected to remain robust in the long term. (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia expected to remain magnet for FDI

A confluence of factors, including its significance in the global tech supply chain, friendly FDI policies, existing industry clusters, a skilled labour force and extensive free trade agreements (FTAs), makes Malaysia an outperformer in the region

The website of the Anti-Fake News Centre has had nearly 28 million views. (Bangkok Post File Photo)

Thailand to use AI to prevent fake news

The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society said it is cooperating with over 300 agencies to eradicate fake news while looking to use articial intelligence (AI) to verify news reports.

Illustrative image (Photo: https://nationthailand.com)

Nissan to close factory in Thailand

The company expects to cut or transfer about 1,000 jobs in Thailand and stated that reducing operating expenses by around 400 billion JPY (2.62 billion USD) in the 2026 fiscal year will help maintain a stable operating profit margin of 4%.

The North of Thailand is grappling with a surge in wildfires, with 401 hotspots detected across 17 provinces (Photo: The Nation)

Wildfires rage northern Thailand

The North of Thailand is grappling with a surge in wildfires, with 401 hotspots detected across 17 provinces, the Region 3 Forest Fire Control Centre said on February 13.

Thailand suspends issuance of gun carrying permits to curb crime

Thailand suspends issuance of gun carrying permits to curb crime

Traisuree said the order was issued because many people in Thailand carry firearms in public places without a sound reason. Some display their firearms in public to intimidate others. Such habits could lead to crime and danger to people’s lives, properties and morale, she said.

Participants pose for a group photo at the 31st ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation in China's Ningbo city on February 13, 2025. (Photo: https://asean.org/)

China proposes new initiatives of cooperation with ASEAN

The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's community-building efforts and the bloc’s central role in regional affairs, emphasising the priority China places on its relationship with ASEAN as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Mohamad Hasan (right) and his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla in Kuala Lumpur on February 13. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia, Cuba strengthen bilateral ties

Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Mohamad Hasan met with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla in Kuala Lumpur on February 13, where discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in trade, health care, education and tourism.