Political Recap: Prabowo Commits to Free Meal Programme, TNI and USMC Conduct Joint Exercise
President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his determination to continue the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme with improvements and efficiency to ensure the nutritional needs of Indonesian children are met. “I am determined to continue the MBG programme with improvements, with efficiency,” Prabowo said during his state address at the 2026 Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD at the MPR/DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday. He stated that human development is the most decisive factor for Indonesia’s future and must begin with fulfilling basic needs, especially nutrition.
At the same session, MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani stated that the Republic of Indonesia has endured not because of abundant wealth or readily available international support, but due to the strength of a united people. “Indonesia is a shared home worth fighting for,” Muzani said during his introductory speech. He added that unity leads to progress, warning that if unity weakens, the nation’s great energy will be consumed by mutual suspicion and negation.
The Annual Session was attended by former national leaders, including the 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK), the 11th Vice President Boediono, and the 13th Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. They arrived alongside other invited guests, including ministers of the Red and White Cabinet and heads of other state institutions.
In a separate parliamentary address, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani stated that the Asset Forfeiture Bill is still in the stage of receiving meaningful participation from the public. “The Asset Forfeiture Bill is still in the stage of receiving meaningful input from the public to strengthen the substance of the law and provide strong legitimacy,” Puan said during the DPR Plenary Meeting opening the 2026–2027 Session Year. She emphasised that the quality of lawmaking is not measured by the quantity of laws produced, but by how much benefit the people feel from the presence of those laws.
In Lampung, the Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) conducted a joint combat simulation exercise to sharpen soldiers’ capabilities in facing warfare. According to an official press release, the joint exercise, named Platoon Exchange (Latma Platex), was held in Teluk Pandan District, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province, on Thursday. The Head of the Marine Corps Information Service, Colonel (Mar) Rana Karyana, stated that the training material included Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), or the handling of casualties on the battlefield.