June 24, 2026
JAKARTA – Public debate over President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meal program is intensifying, with competing demonstrations held in several regions amid concerns about alleged corruption, food safety problems and the burden on state finances.
In Bali, hundreds of students from universities across the island rallied outside the Bali Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building in Denpasar on Monday, calling for a sweeping review of the free meal program and broader reforms to address concerns over Indonesia’s economic conditions and the state of its democracy.
The students urged the government and the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to carry out a comprehensive review of the free meal program, questioning its hefty budget allocation at a time when the government is pursuing widespread spending cuts.
They also called for a full investigation into food poisoning cases and allegations of corruption surrounding the program’s implementation.
In Jakarta, thousands of students affiliated with the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) rallied outside the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Central Jakarta on Monday, demanding a complete overhaul of the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the free meals program, following the recent arrest of three of the agency’s top officials in an alleged corruption case. The protesters also called on the government to strengthen the economy and improve teacher welfare.
The demonstration came just days after more than 1,000 students gathered at the same location on Friday to protest what they described as excessive government spending. The rally was led primarily by students from Trisakti University and joined by their counterparts from Mercu Buana University and Esa Unggul University, as well as members of the Islamic Students Association (HMI).
Protesters chanted slogans urging President Prabowo Subianto to curb what they called “wasteful state spending” and suspend several costly flagship initiatives, including the multi-trillion-rupiah free meals program.
In Batam, Riau Islands, students from several universities across the city staged a rally on Thursday, calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the free meals program and urging the government to suspend the initiative if it is found to be ineffective, poorly targeted, or failing to deliver tangible public benefits.
Muryadi Agus Priawan, coordinator of the Batam Student Movement Alliance, said the protest reflected broader public concerns over government policy implementation.
“We want to ensure the government hears the people’s voice. Students are here as a form of social control, reminding policymakers that decisions must truly serve the public interest,” he said.
President Prabowo launched the free nutritious meals program in January last year as part of efforts to tackle malnutrition and child stunting nationwide.
The program, which has been allocated at least Rp 335 trillion (US$15 billion) this year, targets around 83 million beneficiaries, including schoolchildren and pregnant women.
However, it has become a key test for the administration, facing growing scrutiny over high costs, food poisoning cases and an ongoing corruption investigation.
Despite calls for suspension, government officials, including Government Communications Agency head Muhammad Qodari, have said the program will continue, arguing it should be improved rather than halted.
The government has cut the budget to Rp 228.4 trillion, according to National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari, and introduced efficiency measures, including suspending distribution during the late June–mid-July school holiday period.
It also plans to halt meal distribution in 76 schools in relatively affluent areas deemed capable of meeting students’ nutritional needs without state support.
The push to suspend the free meal initiative and introduce efficiency measures has faced pushback, particularly from those who benefit directly from the program.
In Batam, Riau Islands, hundreds of kitchen workers under the free meal program staged a rally over the weekend outside the local DPRD building, urging the government to maintain its continuity.
Protesters said that reducing meal distribution from six days to five days a week, as well as suspending operations during school holidays, would directly affect their incomes.
“Currently, around 1,500 kitchen workers in Batam are affected by this policy, as they are paid daily to support their families,” said protest coordinator Langga Husein.
He added that halting operations during school holidays would also harm pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers who continue to require nutritional support even when schools are closed.
In Bandar Lampung, Lampung, a group of residents staged a rally on Monday in support of the continuation of the free meal program.
Field coordinator Maradoni said the program benefits not only recipients but also supports the agricultural sector and the wider local economy.
“The free meal program absorbs a large volume of local commodities such as corn, rice, cassava, fruits, and vegetables, which has helped improve prices. As a result, the public, especially farmers, hopes the program will continue,” Maradoni said, as quoted by Liputan6.com.
Similar protests in support of the free meal program have also emerged in recent days in Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and East Java. (nal)
