"We are all amazed to see that the impact of this program is indeed extraordinary on economic growth, jobs, the ecosystem built from the economy, as well as poverty reduction," Luhut stated after a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Wednesday (March 18).
According to Prof. Arief Anshory Yusuf, a poverty expert from Padjajaran University, the free meals program has the potential to create up to 1.9 million new jobs and reduce the poverty rate to 5.8 percent if it is implemented well.
In addition, this program is expected to reduce social inequality.
Arief cited the free meals program as an example. Through this program, a family with three children can receive assistance of Rp600 thousand per month, which surpasses the Rp200 thousand each provided by the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance Program (BPNT).
To ensure the success of this program, he outlined three crucial steps. First, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive review of the business process and perform routine audits with the support of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).
Second, community participation in monitoring the program should be encouraged to increase the community's sense of ownership.
Finally, efforts should be made to prevent leaks in the supply chain, especially by reducing reliance on unnecessary imported materials.
"This will create a supply chain that is truly maintained so the impact is truly as expected. However, once again, the point is let us guard it together because this is the flagship program of the nation,” Arief noted.
Related news: Free meals program potentially boosts aggregate demand: Minister
The Indonesian government officially launched the free nutritious meals program on January 6, 2025, as one of the flagship initiatives of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's administration.
Through this program, the government aims to improve the nutritional intake of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to high school age.
During the 2024-2029 period, the government aims to serve 82 million recipients, including 44 million schoolchildren and 4 million pregnant women.
The program requires support from 48 thousand kitchens/service units across Indonesia, as well as annual carbohydrate and protein supplies of 12.7 million tons.
Related news: Government releases Rp710.5 billion for free meals program
Translator: Fathur R, Mentari Gayati, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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