Prabowo Highlights Free Nutritious Meal Programme as Driver of Grassroots Economy Amid Global Crisis

JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto has highlighted the strategic role of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in addressing economic challenges amid global crisis resulting from tensions between the United States-Israel alliance and Iran.

“Stimulus for growth at grassroots level,” Prabowo stated in a statement from the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) on Monday, 16 March 2026.

The primary objective is to empower the lower-income population, increase purchasing power, and ensure inclusive growth.

Prabowo explained that the Indonesian government aims for the MBG programme to reach 80 million beneficiaries in 2026, with the programme accounting for 11 per cent of the central government budget for the year.

The President also pledged to drive economic expansion through the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) to strengthen national economic resilience against global uncertainty.