"This is an outstanding achievement. I have received letters from world leaders who said that they want to study our policy," the president told cabinet ministers and officials during the plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace complex here.
He said that world leaders visiting Indonesia are keen to understand how the country implements the free lunch program despite only being introduced during his presidency.
According to the president, world leaders view Indonesia as "serious" in implementing the MBG program, which covers 38 provinces and targets up to three million recipients nationwide.
"They say one of the aspects they want to study from us is our nutritious lunch program, although we have just started it," Prabowo remarked.
Despite receiving accolades from global leaders, Prabowo expressed regret over complaints from some parents in certain areas for not receiving the free lunch yet.
"Sometimes, when I visited a village, some parents told me, 'Sir, we are not getting the nutritious free lunch.' It disturbed me," he stated.
"They heard that the (MBG food) has been distributed in neighboring villages and schools, and they wonder why their village has not received it," he remarked.
Prabowo then urged National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Dadan Hindayana and his officials to innovate in expediting the MBG program's reach across more regions, as the people expected free lunches for their children.
"Think innovatively and creatively to expand the coverage. Can we use hybrid or other systems for it?" the president asked the nutrition agency.
Related news: Indonesia initiates Free Nutritious Meals program in Highland Papua
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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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