(Indonesia, 30th) The Middle East war has caused a surge in oil prices and rising costs. To cut spending, Indonesia will reduce its free nutrition meal program, aiming to save up to 40 trillion rupiah (around 10.5 billion ringgit).
These meals are mainly targeted at students nationwide. Nanik, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, told AFP on Sunday (March 29) that starting from March 31, the days per week for free meal provision will be reduced from six to five. This is expected to save "about 40 trillion rupiah."
The National Nutrition Agency also issued a statement the same day, saying that this adjustment is to align with students’ five-day-per-week class schedule. However, Director Dadan said that recipients in remote areas or regions with higher stunting rates will still receive meal deliveries six days a week.
Dadan stated, "Providing free nutritious meals in areas with high risk of stunting, especially on Saturdays, is a strategic move aimed at ensuring children receive sufficient nutrition every day."
Prabowo’s spokesperson, Prasetyo, previously said that the Indonesian government is seeking to allocate 80 trillion rupiah to protect the economy from the impact of Middle East tensions but did not disclose further details.
Prabowo had earlier stressed that the 335 trillion rupiah budget allocated for the free meal program will not be affected this year and claimed that there are many other cost-saving measures that Jakarta can implement.
One of the measures under consideration by the government is to allow employees to work remotely one day a week to reduce fuel consumption.
Since its launch last year, the free meal program has faced criticism due to a series of food poisoning incidents, with critics calling for the suspension of the program on the grounds of hygiene risks.
The National Nutrition Agency stated that the free meal program has benefited 61 million people. Children, infants, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, are the main beneficiaries.
The National Nutrition Agency also issued a statement the same day, saying that this adjustment is to align with students’ five-day-per-week class schedule. However, Director Dadan said that recipients in remote areas or regions with higher stunting rates will still receive meal deliveries six days a week.
Dadan stated, "Providing free nutritious meals in areas with high risk of stunting, especially on Saturdays, is a strategic move aimed at ensuring children receive sufficient nutrition every day."
Prabowo’s spokesperson, Prasetyo, previously said that the Indonesian government is seeking to allocate 80 trillion rupiah to protect the economy from the impact of Middle East tensions but did not disclose further details.
Prabowo had earlier stressed that the 335 trillion rupiah budget allocated for the free meal program will not be affected this year and claimed that there are many other cost-saving measures that Jakarta can implement.
One of the measures under consideration by the government is to allow employees to work remotely one day a week to reduce fuel consumption.
Since its launch last year, the free meal program has faced criticism due to a series of food poisoning incidents, with critics calling for the suspension of the program on the grounds of hygiene risks.
The National Nutrition Agency stated that the free meal program has benefited 61 million people. Children, infants, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, are the main beneficiaries.