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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Prabowo Questions Protests Against Free Meal Program, Cites Need and Funding

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed surprise at protests against the free nutritious meal program, emphasizing its role in aiding disadvantaged individuals.
  • He clarified that participation in the program is optional for those who can afford it, but highlighted its critical importance for underprivileged children who often go without breakfast.
  • Prabowo defended the program's funding, stating it does not reduce the education budget and is supported by savings from combating corruption, citing infrastructure and school repair achievements.

President Prabowo Subianto voiced astonishment at public protests opposing Indonesia's free nutritious meal program (MBG). "Strange, there are protests against MBG. MBG is to help those who are struggling, those who are poor," Prabowo stated during the closing of the Nahdlatul Ulama National Congress in Bangkalan, East Java.

Strange, there are protests against MBG. MBG is to help those who are struggling, those who are poor.

— Prabowo SubiantoPresident of Indonesia expressing surprise at protests against the free nutritious meal program.

He stressed that the program is not mandatory, allowing those financially capable to opt out. "If you are already rich, you don't need to receive MBG. There is no obligation to receive MBG," he added. However, Prabowo underscored the harsh reality faced by many, describing how the program serves as a lifeline for children from impoverished families. "But so many children are poor, they go to school without breakfast. Many children even save food, take it home for their mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Our people are very poor," he said.

If you are already rich, you don't need to receive MBG. There is no obligation to receive MBG.

— Prabowo SubiantoPresident of Indonesia clarifying the optional nature of the free nutritious meal program.

Prabowo drew parallels with similar programs in over a hundred countries and refuted claims that MBG diverts funds from education. "More than a hundred countries have MBG programs. This MBG program does not reduce other budgets. The education budget continues, perhaps even larger under my government," he asserted. He attributed the program's funding to the government's commitment to eliminating budget leakage, redirecting funds saved from potential corruption directly to the public. "What we stop is money that would surely be corrupted. We are not children. We understand," he remarked.

But so many children are poor, they go to school without breakfast. Many children even save food, take it home for their mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Our people are very poor.

— Prabowo SubiantoPresident of Indonesia describing the need for the free nutritious meal program.

To illustrate the effective allocation of funds, Prabowo cited achievements such as the construction of 1,000 km of roads with Rp 5.4 trillion and the repair of 30,000 schools within his 18-month tenure, with plans to repair another 30,000 next year.

More than a hundred countries have MBG programs. This MBG program does not reduce other budgets. The education budget continues, perhaps even larger under my government.

— Prabowo SubiantoPresident of Indonesia defending the program's funding and comparing it to international initiatives.
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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