January 23, 2026 | 02:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto proudly talked about the free nutritious meal project (MBG) when delivering a speech at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. According to him, the program he has been promoting since the campaign period strengthens children and the economy.
Prabowo stated that more than 61,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large companies are part of the supply chain for providing MBG. "We have created more than 600,000 jobs just in the kitchens (food fulfillment service units)," said Prabowo in front of the World Economic Forum 2026 delegation on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
He is also optimistic that MBG can create more than a million job opportunities. "At its peak, we are optimistic that we will reach 1.5 million direct job opportunities. With vendors and suppliers, there will be more than 1 million livelihoods that will be embraced and improved," Prabowo said.
Comparison with McDonald's
Not only that, Prabowo also expressed his belief that the distribution of MBG per day can exceed the number of servings of fast-food restaurant McDonald's.
Prabowo claimed that he has successfully stopped inefficient programs and allocated their funds to projects that directly impact the people. "On January 6, 2025, we started the free nutritious meal program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, and all children in Indonesia," he said.
On that first day, Prabowo said, Indonesia started MBG by operating 190 food provider kitchens (SPPGs) reaching around 570,000 beneficiaries. "Until last night, we have produced 59.8 million meals for 59.8 million children, mothers, and elderly people living alone. They receive this food every day," Prabowo said.
The head of state compared the distribution of MBG, which reaches 59.8 million meals per day, with the food production of McDonald's. This U.S.-based restaurant reportedly serves 68 million customers daily. "As a context, in about a month, we will surpass the production of 68 million meals per day owned by McDonald's," said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
Prabowo also noted that McDonald's opened its first restaurant in the 1940s. According to him, MBG will reach 82.9 million servings in less than two years.
He stated that the MBG aims to serve 82.9 million meals per day by the end of December 2026. "But my people say, 'No, Sir, we will reach 82.9 million before December.' So, hopefully we can achieve that," Prabowo said.
Read: Prabowo in Davos: 1,000 Friends for Indonesia Too Few, One Enemy Too Many
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