President Prabowo: Free Nutritious Meal Program as State’s Response to Child Nutrition Crisis

President Prabowo Subianto delivers remarks on the New Year Briefing to all members of the Red and White Cabinet at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor regency, Tuesday (1/6) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program represents a strategic policy based on the state’s concern for nutritional condition of Indonesian children.

During the New Year Briefing on Tuesday (1/6), the President said that various studies indicate over 20 to 30 percent of Indonesian children suffer from malnutrition.

“Those studies clearly stated [many Indonesian children] are malnourished, stunted, with very weak bodies and abnormal growth. Moreover, tens of millions of Indonesian children go to school without breakfast. Many of them eat only rice with leaves,” said the President in Hambalang, Bogor regency.

According to the President, this situation demands direct and measurable intervention from the state to protect the nation’s future generations through the MBG program. President Prabowo explained that the MBG program, which has been running for exactly one year, has successfully reached 55 million beneficiaries.

“Today, January 6, 2026,  I receive a report that the program has reached 55 million beneficiaries. 55 million Indonesian children receive meals every day, including pregnant women. This is something to be proud of,” he stated.

Nevertheless, the President remains vigilant about shortcomings and potential errors in the MBG program’s execution. However, based on objective evaluations, the program’s success rate stands at 99 percent.

“With the remaining 0.00 percent of errors, the Government continues to address it. The Government is intervening step by step, through continuous supervision and safeguarding measures,” he said.

The President further stressed that responsible leaders must work diligently to eradicate hunger and poverty. To that end, he urged all government ranks to remain confident in pursuing the right path to eliminate poverty and hunger for the nation’s future.

“Let us prove it. If our intentions are pure, if we do not steal the people’s money, if we act for the people’s interests, the nation’s interests, and the nation’s safety, we should not hesitate or fear at all,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/MMB)