Indonesia has vowed to overhaul the country’s ambitious free nutritious meals programme following public pressure and recent allegations of corruption – a move analysts described as a “moderate” concession in lieu of an “embarrassing” discontinuation of President Prabowo Subianto ’s flagship initiative.
The US$15 billion initiative aims to reach 83 million schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers to prevent malnutrition and stunted growth. However, it has been dogged by controversy since its launch in January last year, with critics pointing to weak oversight, limited budget transparency and insufficient food safety guidance.
Earlier this month, three former leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the initiative, were arrested by the Attorney General’s Office for alleged mark-ups and corruption related to the development of operational kitchens.
Last week, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the number of kitchens had surged to 27,877 – more than the 21,000 planned initially.
University students stage a theatrical show during a protest against government policies, including the free meals programme, outside the West Java Regional Representative Council building in Bandung on Monday. Photo: Reuters
“Our main focus is on underdeveloped, frontier and outermost regions. According to the data, there should be 2,000 service points in these regions, but this number has ballooned to 8,617,” Zulkifli told reporters on June 11.
Read the full article at South China Morning Post →📄Source document: Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan
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South China Morning PostParty-alignedCenter5 days agoIndonesia is reconsidering its free nutritious meals program amid allegations of corruption and public pressure. The $15 billion initiative, aimed at feeding 83 million people including children and pregnant women, faces criticism over weak oversight, lack of budget transparency, and inadequate food safety measures. Three former officials of the National Nutrition Agency have been arrested for alleged corruption. The program has expanded beyond initial plans, with the number of kitchens increasing significantly.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts and quotes from multiple sources without overtly favoring any side. It reports on criticisms, arrests, and expansion of the program neutrally, without using loaded language or emphasizing one perspective over another.
Official sources cited
- government Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan
- government Attorney General’s Office
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