President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has\nreaffirmed his commitment to continuing the Free Nutritious Meals\nProgramme (MBG), stating that it is better for available funds to feed\nthe people than to be corrupted.<\/p>\n
In an interview, the details of which were received in writing on\nSunday, Prabowo said this is done as a real form of the state\u2019s concern\nfor the people, especially children and vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n
The programme is not only aimed at addressing nutritional issues and\nmalnutrition but also forms part of the strategy for developing human\nresources while driving the people\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
Amid various criticisms and fiscal challenges, the President\nemphasised that the programme remains a priority because it concerns the\nbasic needs of society.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will hold on as much as possible. Rather than money being\ncorrupted, it\u2019s better if my people can eat. Haven\u2019t you seen the\nstunted children? I have. I\u2019ve campaigned several times, I\u2019ve been to\nthe villages, I\u2019ve seen it. How old are you? 11 years old. Their body is\nlike a 4-year-old. I\u2019m sure I\u2019m on the right path. We have the money,\u201d\nsaid Prabowo.<\/p>\n
In addition to its social impact, the President emphasised that the\nMBG programme also has broad economic effects through job creation in\nvarious sectors, from production kitchens to the food supply chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt its peak, MBG will have 31,000 kitchens. Let\u2019s say, for\nsimplicity, 30,000 kitchens. Each kitchen employs 50 people. That\u2019s\nalready 1.5 million jobs,\u201d said Prabowo.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach kitchen creates 5-10 supplier vendors selling eggs, carrots,\nvegetables; each vendor empirically employs around 5 farmers. So that\u2019s\nanother 50. Another 1.5 million people working,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Regarding various criticisms and findings in the field, the President\nacknowledged that there are still shortcomings in the programme\u2019s\nimplementation, but the government has taken firm steps to rectify\nthem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already closed over a thousand (kitchens),\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n
The President also emphasised that the financing for this programme\ndoes not come from new debt but from efficiencies and reductions in\nstate budget leakages. \u201cWe have the money. We just need to organise it\nand reduce leakages,\u201d Prabowo asserted firmly.<\/p>\n
According to the President, this policy is part of efforts to ensure\nthat economic benefits are truly felt by the wider community, especially\nthe lower groups who have not fully enjoyed the results of development\nso far.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of our people have gone too long without enjoying the benefits\nof our economy,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowo-better-to-spend-money-on-feeding-the-people-than-letting-it-be-corrupted-1774176672", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }