Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, has set an ambitious goal to expand the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) to reach 82.9 million children by the end of 2025. This announcement was made during the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Jakarta Convention Center. Prabowo emphasized the importance and urgency of this initiative, sharing a touching experience from his recent visit to Central Java where he witnessed the overwhelming demand for the program.
During his visit, Prabowo mentioned how schoolchildren and teachers eagerly awaited the nutritious meals along the road from Solo to Klaten. He was deeply moved when the children asked for meals even before attending school for the day. This encounter prompted Prabowo to instruct his team to accelerate the program’s implementation, aiming to reach 20 million children by mid-August and eventually targeting 82.9 million children by December 2025.
The President highlighted that this program has already begun to attract international attention, with world leaders curious about Indonesia’s efforts in combating child hunger and malnutrition. Other countries have taken over a decade to achieve similar results, but Prabowo is determined to accomplish this in a shorter timeframe. He acknowledged the need to deliver on these promises, inviting accountability by suggesting a follow-up meeting in December 2025 or January.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program is part of Prabowo’s comprehensive vision to address child hunger, malnutrition, and educational disparities. By ensuring that every child has access to proper nutrition, regardless of background, Prabowo aims to provide them with the necessary fuel to learn, grow, and succeed.
