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Indonesia underscores need to roll out free meals programme

Launched on January 6, 2025, the Free Meals Programme is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiatives, targeting children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and students up to senior high school level.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)
Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian government has allocated 335 trillion IDR (around 19.8 billion USD) for the Free Meals Programme (MBG) in 2026, reaffirming that the initiative is not merely a social welfare policy but a strategic economic driver on a national scale.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the programme is fully funded by the state budget, ensuring secure, sustainable and measurable implementation nationwide.

Launched on January 6, 2025, the programme is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship initiatives, targeting children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and students up to senior high school level. The government aims to expand coverage to 82.9 million beneficiaries, making it one of the largest social nutrition programmes ever implemented in Indonesia.

Airlangga said the programme would stimulate the economy as Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or MBG kitchens, are paid upfront, strengthening cash flow for operators and encouraging local investment, small businesses and regional economic activity.

From the total allocation, nearly 80 trillion IDR is expected to be distributed to grassroots communities every quarter, exceeding the government’s first-quarter stimulus of nearly 37 trillion IDR in the previous year, he said./.

VNA
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