"The United Nations refers to MBG as the best investment a nation can make," Prabowo said, referring to his government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program launched in January.
He made the statement while delivering a State Address at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta on Friday.
Prabowo said that in just seven months, Indonesia achieved in its MBG program what some countries take over a decade to accomplish. He cited Brazil, which took 11 years to reach 40 million MBG recipients, as an example.
This achievement, Prabowo noted, was made possible thanks to support from state agencies and community organizations, which helped set up 5,800 MBG kitchens across 38 provinces.
"Before this honorable assembly, I laud the head and all staff members of the National Nutrition Agency who have worked hard to achieve this," he remarked.
Prabowo emphasized that MBG is not merely a social program, but a foundation for building a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation.
He pointed out that the program has created 290,000 new jobs in kitchens and involved 1 million farmers, fishers, livestock breeders, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Ahead of Independence Day on August 17, Indonesia convened the MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) on Friday morning.
During the sessions, Prabowo delivered the State Address and a speech outlining the government's performance reports.
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Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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