Luhut Urges Public patience on Prabowo’s Free Nutritious Meal program, Highlights Economic Benefits
In a recent address at the 2025 Early Spirit Forum in South Jakarta, luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), called for restraint in criticizing newly implemented government policies, notably President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meal program. Luhut emphasized the need for constructive feedback and urged the public to allow the initiative time to demonstrate its impact.
“So President Prabowo thought about making it free nutritious food. So,if someone criticizes you,don’t be quick to criticize,wait,see first. We sometimes pretend to know, even though when he was in office, he was also a thief. So, let’s just wait and see,” Luhut stated during his speech on Indonesia’s economic conditions.
The program, which officially launched on January 6, 2025, across 26 provinces, aims to address critical issues such as stunting and poverty while stimulating local economies. With a budget of IDR 71 trillion allocated for the next six months, the initiative is one of the most enterprising social welfare projects in recent years.
Economic Impact and Long-Term Benefits
Luhut highlighted the program’s potential to transform rural economies. Currently, funds circulating in villages average around IDR 1.1 billion per year. However, with the introduction of free nutritious meals, this figure is expected to increase eightfold, reaching IDR 8 billion to IDR 9 billion annually.“This is a big number. So it revolves around one village. That will create, I mentioned earlier, equality, reduce stunting, reduce poverty,” he explained.
The program’s benefits are already becoming visible, according to Luhut. “Well, now it’s starting to show. You see the faces of the children who eat this, maybe many of them rarely eat chicken or eggs. And now they are eating,” he said, underscoring the immediate positive effects on children’s health and well-being.
A Call for Constructive Criticism
While acknowledging that no policy is perfect,Luhut urged critics to adopt a measured approach. “After that, please criticize, as we are not perfect gods,” he said. “But criticism should also be constructive,not disruptive.”
He emphasized the importance of allowing the program three to four months to operate before passing judgment. This period, he argued, would provide sufficient time to assess its effectiveness and address any initial challenges.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Program Name | Free Nutritious Meal Program |
| Launch Date | January 6,2025 |
| Budget | IDR 71 trillion (for six months) |
| Coverage | 26 provinces |
| Economic Impact | Village funds expected to increase from IDR 1.1 billion to IDR 8-9 billion |
| Primary Goals | Reduce stunting, poverty, and promote economic equality |
Looking Ahead
The free nutritious meal program represents a meaningful step toward addressing Indonesia’s pressing social and economic challenges. By fostering local economic growth and improving access to essential nutrition, the initiative has the potential to create lasting change.As Luhut aptly put it, “Let’s just wait and see.” The coming months will be crucial in determining the program’s success and its ability to deliver on its promises.
For more insights into Indonesia’s economic policies, explore how the IMF has praised the country’s economic resilience and the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its financial framework.
What are your thoughts on Prabowo’s free nutritious meal program? Share your views in the comments below and join the conversation on how such initiatives can shape Indonesia’s future.
