Indonesia Lowers Budget for Free School Meals Initiative

Indonesia has announced a significant reduction in its budget for the free school meals initiative led by President Prabowo Subianto, cutting the allocation to 229 trillion rupiah (approximately $12.81 billion) from an earlier estimate of 268 trillion. Senior officials responsible for the program have indicated that further budget cuts may be made as the government continues to evaluate its financial commitments.

This meals initiative stands as President Prabowo's most expensive electoral promise and has become a central topic in discussions regarding Indonesia's fiscal health due to its considerable financial implications.

Gradual Budget Cuts

Initially, the program was designated a budget of 335 trillion rupiah for 2026, aiming to serve 83 million beneficiaries by year-end, including schoolchildren and pregnant women, accounting for about 30% of the nation's populace.

Yet, the government has progressively lowered the budget to enhance efficiency while maintaining the program’s continuation.

Last month, a report by Reuters highlighted that the National Nutrition Agency (NNA) was contemplating cuts exceeding $2 billion, along with potentially decreasing both the recipient count and the kitchen operator workforce.

Final Budget Still Pending Evaluation

At a recent press briefing, Lili Khamiliyah, Secretary of the National Nutrition Agency, noted that President Prabowo has allowed a month for the agency to finalize the budget post-internal review.

She asserted that the current budget of 229 trillion rupiah is tentative and could face further reductions as efficiency evaluations progress.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Agustina Arumsari, Deputy Head of the NNA, indicated that the government is redirecting its emphasis from achieving specific beneficiary numbers to improving the overall quality of the program.

"The focus will shift toward quality enhancement, reducing the number of beneficiaries as needed to eradicate food poisoning incidents," she stated.

Prior to this latest assessment, the agency reported serving 62.5 million individuals under the free meals program.

Challenges in Implementation and Corruption Issues

Launched in January 2025, the free school meals program has encountered various challenges, including logistical problems, questions about nutritional standards, and incidents of mass food poisoning.

It has also faced heightened scrutiny following the arrest of the former chief of the National Nutrition Agency and two additional officials last month over corruption charges.