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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Prabowo: Nothing More Urgent Than Filling Hungry Stomachs

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • President Prabowo Subianto stated that filling the stomachs of hungry people is the most urgent task.
  • He defended his free nutritious meal program, emphasizing its necessity for children, farmers, and fishermen.
  • Prabowo dismissed critics who claim other issues are more pressing than hunger, warning that starvation leads to death.

President Prabowo Subianto declared that nothing is more pressing than feeding hungry citizens, highlighting this during a National Farmers and Fishermen Week event in Gorontalo on June 24, 2026. He directly addressed critics of his flagship "free nutritious meal" program, known as MBG. "People who disagree with MBG should come here and ask the farmers and fishermen if MBG is needed. Ask the children if MBG is needed," Prabowo stated, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

Prabowo asserted that addressing hunger is paramount, as starving people can die if not fed promptly. He countered arguments that other issues are more critical, stating, "I think there is nothing more urgent than a hungry stomach. A person with a hungry stomach, if not fed soon, will die."

Shouldn't those who disagree with MBG come here, yes. Ask the farmers and fishermen, is MBG needed or not? Ask the children, is MBG needed or not?

— Prabowo SubiantoDuring a National Farmers and Fishermen Week event, responding to critics of his free nutritious meal program.

The former Defense Minister under President Joko Widodo also referenced United Nations projections indicating a global rise in hunger, with estimates suggesting 500 to 700 million people could face starvation. This comes amid growing calls to halt Prabowo's free meal initiative, with protests in Jakarta, Semarang, and Malang demanding a full review. These demands intensified following a corruption scandal involving the National Nutrition Agency, the program's manager, earlier in June.

I think there is nothing more urgent than a hungry stomach. A person with a hungry stomach, if not fed soon, will die.

— Prabowo SubiantoEmphasizing the critical nature of hunger during the event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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