Prabowo: Corruption in Free Nutritious Meals Programme is Inhumane

President Prabowo Subianto has stressed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is not merely a food distribution initiative, but part of an effort to build the quality of Indonesia’s human resources from an early age. He therefore strongly condemned any party that commits corruption involving the budget for children’s food. ‘I consider those who would corrupt the food for these children to be barbaric people. They are people who do not deserve our respect,’ Prabowo said during his speech at the Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD in Jakarta on Friday. Prabowo stated that human development is the most decisive foundation for Indonesia’s future. This effort, according to him, must start from the most basic need, namely fulfilling children’s nutrition. He argued that children who study while hungry will not be able to absorb education properly. This problem remains a reality for some Indonesian children who do not receive adequate food intake. ‘No child should have to study on an empty stomach. No child can learn well if they are hungry,’ he said. Prabowo linked the MBG programme to efforts to tackle stunting, which is still experienced by Indonesian children. He noted that the prevalence of stunting in several regions still reaches 25 percent, or about one in four children. According to him, stunting not only impacts a child’s physical condition but also the development of the brain, muscles, and bones. This impact can ultimately affect a child’s ability when they grow up and enter the workforce. ‘To become a dockworker, they might not be capable. To become a farmer, a farm labourer, they might also not be capable,’ Prabowo said. For this reason, Prabowo affirmed that the government will continue the MBG programme, but with improvements and efficiency. He also stressed the importance of supervision to prevent the programme from becoming an opportunity for corruption. Prabowo even described the act of profiting from children’s food as a deed that has lost all sense of humanity. ‘In my view, this has completely lost any human values,’ he asserted. During his speech, Prabowo introduced Christina Beno, a sixth-grade student from Merauke, South Papua. He said the MBG programme has helped Christina become healthier, more focused, and more diligent in attending school. Christina’s story, according to Prabowo, shows that a simple portion of food can mean a great deal to children in need. The food becomes a source of energy for learning as well as protein for physical growth. Prabowo said that tens of millions of people are now receiving MBG. He hopes the programme will help Indonesian children grow up healthy and intelligent, so they have a better future. He then invited all attendees to applaud Christina and all Indonesian children. Prabowo also affirmed the state’s commitment to be present for pregnant women and the elderly. ‘The state is with you, the state will be present with you. That is the promise of all of us in this assembly,’ Prabowo said.