March 16, 2026 | 05:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the strategic role of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in strengthening grassroots economic growth.
According to an official statement from the Government Communications Agency in Jakarta on Monday, March 16, 2026, Prabowo noted that the current global crisis has in turn accelerated the government’s efforts to stimulate the economy and long-term investment in the human resources sector.
By implementing the free nutritious meal program, Prabowo said the stimulus for grassroots economic growth has been strengthened. The main objective is to empower small communities, bolster purchasing power, and ensure inclusive growth.
“A stimulus for growth at the grassroots level,” said Prabowo, as quoted from Antara on Monday.
Prabowo said the Indonesian government aims to achieve 80 million beneficiaries by 2026 for the free meal program, which includes schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant people, and nursing mothers.
“This program is designed to provide meals for over 80 million people nearly every day, and it accounts for 11 percent of this year’s central government budget,” he explained.
Prabowo also committed to continuing to prioritize investment in key programs, such as the subsidized housing program and supporting village cooperatives.
Additionally, Prabowo will promote economic expansion through the empowerment of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to strengthen national economic resilience against global uncertainties.
Read: Indonesia Promotes Free Meal Program at UN Rights Council
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