Story perspectives

President Defends Nutritious Meals Amid Food Poisoning Concerns

2/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Prabowo Subianto defends the Free Nutritious Meals programme, launched in January 2025, amid cost and safety criticisms.
The initiative has served 60 million beneficiaries and is funded through budget reallocations, not new debt.
More than 15,000 children have reported food poisoning incidents.
Prabowo says the programme is responsible and supports 1.5 million jobs despite Moody's negative outlook.
Critics argue it may misallocate resources, favoring wealthier regions over poorer areas.

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Story summary

President Prabowo Subianto defends the Free Nutritious Meals programme, launched in January 2025, amid cost and safety criticisms.
The initiative has served 60 million beneficiaries and is funded through budget reallocations, not new debt.
More than 15,000 children have reported food poisoning incidents.
Prabowo says the programme is responsible and supports 1.5 million jobs despite Moody's negative outlook.
Critics argue it may misallocate resources, favoring wealthier regions over poorer areas.