Coordinating Minister Zulhas Ensures Free Nutritious Meal Programme Prioritises Islamic Boarding Schools, Religious Schools, and 3T Regions

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has confirmed that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme will first be focused on Islamic boarding schools, faith-based schools, and underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. The government is preparing the programme in two stages, with the initial phase targeting these priority areas. The scheme is currently being finalised before it is presented to President Prabowo Subianto. Zulhas stated that within one to two weeks, he will present the plan to the President, and if approved, it will be implemented immediately. He explained that the government is also designing a special mechanism so that Islamic boarding schools will not need to build new kitchens to support the programme. Instead, existing kitchen facilities at the boarding schools and Islamic schools will be utilised to accelerate the rollout. This approach also aims to avoid the need to construct new kitchens, which could provide undue benefits to other parties. The government will focus on ensuring proper supervision so that the meals served meet health and quality standards.