Prabowo Defends Free Nutritious Meals Programme: 'A Hungry Stomach, If Not Filled, Will Die'

President Prabowo Subianto has responded to several parties who consider the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to be without benefit. He stressed that there is no issue more important than tackling hunger. “There are supposedly clever people who say there are things more urgent than a hungry stomach. I think there is nothing more urgent than a hungry stomach. If a hungry stomach is not filled immediately, the person will die!” Prabowo stated at the Peak of the 17th National Farmers’ and Fishers’ Week event in Gorontalo on Wednesday (24/6/2026). Prabowo also highlighted a forecast from the United Nations (UN) indicating that world hunger will be massive this year. He noted that Indonesia has already been helping countries experiencing food shortages. “The UN has predicted that world hunger will be massive this year. Two years ago, around 300 million people were hungry worldwide, and it is estimated that this has now increased to 500 million, with the FAO warning of 700 million,” Prabowo said. He also urged those who doubt the MBG programme to ask the farmers, fishers, and children who are the beneficiaries directly. “There are also those who disagree with MBG. Those who disagree should come here, yes. Ask the farmers and fishers, is MBG needed or not?” Prabowo questioned in his speech, as seen on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel. “Ask the children too, is MBG needed or not?” he added, to which the attending crowd responded with a resounding affirmation that the programme is still required.