President Prabowo Subianto has set a bold target to expand the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) to reach 82.9 million children across Indonesia by the end of 2025. This initiative, announced at the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB), is considered a national priority by Prabowo and is of utmost urgency.
During the event, Prabowo shared a moving experience from his recent visit to Central Java, where he witnessed the overwhelming demand for the program. He recounted how schoolchildren, teachers, and residents came out of their homes along the road from Solo to Klaten, asking for nutritious meals. Touched by their plea, Prabowo immediately instructed his team to accelerate the program’s implementation with a target of reaching 20 million children by mid-August.
The President emphasized the importance of proper management of public funds, highlighting the need for kitchen staff to be well-trained in resource management. Despite the challenges, Prabowo expressed confidence in reaching 82.9 million children by December 2025. He also mentioned that the global community has started showing interest in Indonesia’s efforts, with world leaders inquiring about the program and some nations preparing to learn from it.
Prabowo acknowledged the need for tangible results to match the optimism surrounding the initiative. He invited scrutiny by suggesting a review of the program’s progress by the end of December or early January. The Free Nutritious Meal Program is part of Prabowo’s comprehensive vision to address child hunger, malnutrition, and educational disparities, ensuring that every child has access to the necessary nutrition to thrive and succeed.
