Prabowo: Better to Spend Money on Feeding the People Than Letting It Be Corrupted
President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), stating that it is better for available funds to feed the people than to be corrupted.
In an interview, the details of which were received in writing on Sunday, Prabowo said this is done as a real form of the state’s concern for the people, especially children and vulnerable groups.
The programme is not only aimed at addressing nutritional issues and malnutrition but also forms part of the strategy for developing human resources while driving the people’s economy.
Amid various criticisms and fiscal challenges, the President emphasised that the programme remains a priority because it concerns the basic needs of society.
“I will hold on as much as possible. Rather than money being corrupted, it’s better if my people can eat. Haven’t you seen the stunted children? I have. I’ve campaigned several times, I’ve been to the villages, I’ve seen it. How old are you? 11 years old. Their body is like a 4-year-old. I’m sure I’m on the right path. We have the money,” said Prabowo.
In addition to its social impact, the President emphasised that the MBG programme also has broad economic effects through job creation in various sectors, from production kitchens to the food supply chain.
“At its peak, MBG will have 31,000 kitchens. Let’s say, for simplicity, 30,000 kitchens. Each kitchen employs 50 people. That’s already 1.5 million jobs,” said Prabowo.
“Each kitchen creates 5-10 supplier vendors selling eggs, carrots, vegetables; each vendor empirically employs around 5 farmers. So that’s another 50. Another 1.5 million people working,” he added.
Regarding various criticisms and findings in the field, the President acknowledged that there are still shortcomings in the programme’s implementation, but the government has taken firm steps to rectify them.
“We’ve already closed over a thousand (kitchens),” he revealed.
The President also emphasised that the financing for this programme does not come from new debt but from efficiencies and reductions in state budget leakages. “We have the money. We just need to organise it and reduce leakages,” Prabowo asserted firmly.
According to the President, this policy is part of efforts to ensure that economic benefits are truly felt by the wider community, especially the lower groups who have not fully enjoyed the results of development so far.
“Most of our people have gone too long without enjoying the benefits of our economy,” he concluded.