– Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s ambitious free meals programme on Friday, despite facing what he described as an “extraordinary” campaign of opposition and recent economic headwinds. The programme, launched in , aims to provide free meals to approximately 83 million people, including students and pregnant women, by the end of .
Speaking at the launch of a free meal kitchen operated by the national police in Jakarta, President Subianto stated, “We will implement this programme. We will face the extraordinary campaign, which said that I am wasting money.” The President’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of the initiative, particularly following reports of widespread food poisoning affecting thousands of children across the archipelago.
Since the programme’s inception, at least 15,000 children have fallen ill due to food poisoning, according to official figures. Despite the alarming number, President Subianto maintained that the percentage of affected children was low and characterized the overall scheme as a success, citing 60 million recipients as of Friday. He emphasized that the programme is being funded through budgetary efficiencies, ensuring Indonesia remains within its fiscal deficit limit of 3% of GDP.
“This is what we are saving money on, this is what we are diverting… Our state budget does not exceed the parameters we set,” he said. The President’s assurances are intended to quell concerns raised by investors and international financial institutions regarding the programme’s financial sustainability.
The defence of the free meals scheme follows a turbulent week for the Indonesian economy. Southeast Asia’s largest economy experienced a significant market downturn after index provider MSCI issued a warning regarding stock market transparency, triggering a frantic sell-off that erased $120 billion in market value. This was compounded by a negative outlook revision for Indonesia’s government and some of its companies from Moody’s ratings agency.
The confluence of these events has heightened anxieties about Indonesia’s economic stability and the potential impact of President Subianto’s large-scale spending plans. The $20 billion free meals programme has been a particular focus of concern, with critics questioning its fiscal prudence and implementation challenges.
The programme’s rollout has been marred by logistical difficulties and allegations of mismanagement. Reports from November highlighted a lack of qualified nutrition experts within the National Nutrition Agency, which is responsible for overseeing the initiative. The agency is reportedly dominated by retired military and police officers, raising questions about its capacity to effectively address the complex nutritional needs of the population.
The food poisoning outbreaks have further fuelled public outcry, with images of sick children receiving hospital treatment widely circulated in the media. Local non-profit organizations have called for a suspension of the programme until safety and quality control measures are significantly improved. According to reports, approximately 70 separate incidents of food poisoning have been linked to the free meals scheme, with two-thirds of the cases occurring since .
Despite the criticisms, President Subianto defended the programme’s potential to address chronic malnutrition and stimulate economic growth. He pointed to the initiative’s positive impact on nutrition levels and its creation of opportunities for local farmers and fishermen to sell their produce. He also drew a comparison to Brazil’s experience, noting that it took 11 years for the country to reach 40 million recipients of a similar programme.
In response to the safety concerns, President Subianto ordered the immediate provision of testing equipment, water filters, and CCTV monitoring systems to all kitchens involved in the programme. The National Nutrition Agency reported that 40 out of 9,000 kitchens have been temporarily closed due to hygiene issues. However, questions remain about the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of these measures.
The situation underscores the challenges facing President Subianto as he attempts to implement his ambitious agenda. His reliance on patronage appointments, as seen in the composition of the National Nutrition Agency, has drawn criticism from observers who argue that it prioritizes political loyalty over professional expertise. This pattern, as noted by analysts, poses broader risks for governance and public service delivery in Indonesia.
The free meals programme represents a significant investment in Indonesia’s human capital, aiming to prevent childhood stunting and improve the overall health and well-being of the population. However, its success hinges on addressing the logistical challenges, ensuring food safety, and fostering greater transparency and accountability in its implementation. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether President Subianto can overcome the obstacles and deliver on his promise of a healthier and more prosperous Indonesia.
