"We are preparing the mechanism (for the additional budget) first in order to accelerate the implementation of the program,” Hindayana stated here on Friday.
He said President Prabowo Subianto saw the need to expand the scope of beneficiaries of the free meals program, making acceleration necessary.
"Every time the president visits every region (to review the implementation of the program), he feels concerned because there are actually more (people) who can receive the benefits. Therefore, acceleration is indeed needed,” Hindayana explained.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the government continues to draft a presidential regulation to accelerate the implementation of the free meals program, with a target of reaching 82.9 million Indonesians by 2029.
Related news: Prabowo, Gates review free meals program at school
He stated that the regulation would later contain strategies, the number of schools involved, management, Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), and the responsibilities of each related ministry.
"This regulation must be formulated because this is a priority program, which is very urgent and important (to be immediately carried out),” Hasan noted.
The Indonesian government officially launched the Free Nutritious Meals Program on January 6, 2025, as one of the main programs of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional intake of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to high school level.
The government has allocated Rp71 trillion (USD4.1 billion) for the program, targeting 17.9 million beneficiaries this year.
Related news: Prabowo, Bill Gates set to discuss free meals program
Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
