Indonesia to 'refocus' free meal budget on more remote areas, official says

Indonesia's flagship free meals program will see its budget "refocused" by cutting back on new kitchens and targeting recipients in more remote areas, according to the program's new chief. Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, head of the National Nutrition Agency, announced the budget shift on Thursday, a day after her predecessor was arrested on corruption charges.

The agency's budget for the program has been reduced to 268 trillion rupiah ($14.87 billion) from an initial 335 trillion rupiah. Nanik's predecessor, Dadan Hindayana, was arrested for allegedly inflating procurement prices. President Prabowo Subianto had made the ambitious free meals program a cornerstone of his 2024 presidential campaign, promising free meals to 83 million children and pregnant women.

Nanik stated that the agency's current focus is not on hitting the 83 million target for 2026 but on ensuring existing kitchens meet health standards. She also indicated that the agency would explore alternative funding sources, such as grants or corporate social responsibility programs, to ease the pressure on the state budget.

The program has faced significant scrutiny since its launch in January 2025. Investors have expressed concerns about Prabowo's spending plans and potential fiscal deficits. Additionally, the program has been linked to food poisoning incidents affecting at least 33,000 children as of April, according to the Network for Education Watch.

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