Prabowo to Continue MBG Programme: Better for the People to Eat Than for Money to Be Corrupted

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme as a tangible form of the state’s support for the people, particularly children and vulnerable groups.

This programme is not only aimed at tackling nutritional issues and stunting but also serves as part of the strategy for human resource development and as a driver of the people’s economy.

Amid various criticisms and fiscal challenges, the President emphasised that this 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 children with stunting? I have. I’ve campaigned so many times, in villages, I’ve seen them. How old are you? 11 years old. But your body is like a 4-year-old’s. I’m sure I’m on the right path. We have the money,” Prabowo stated firmly during a dialogue with figures and senior journalists at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, quoted on Sunday, 22 March 2026.

In addition to its social impact, Prabowo 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. Each kitchen creates 5-10 supplier vendors selling eggs, carrots, vegetables; each vendor empirically employs about 5 farmers. So that’s another 50. Another 1.5 million people working,” said Prabowo.

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 clarified that the funding 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.

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 classes who have not fully enjoyed the fruits of development.