Indonesia's new government launched a $28 million nationwide program, "Free Nutritious Meal," aimed at combating malnutrition and stunting among nearly 90 million children and pregnant women. The initiative, a key campaign promise by President Prabowo Subianto, seeks to address the significant stunting problem affecting 21.5% of Indonesian children under five. However, the program's affordability is already being questioned by critics.
The program, part of a broader strategy to cultivate a "Golden Indonesia" generation by 2045, aims to provide free school lunches and milk to over 83 million students across the country. President Subianto highlighted the need to address widespread poverty and the lack of basic necessities, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for human resource development and projected GDP growth. He pledged to accelerate GDP growth to 8% from the current 5%.
While the government targets 19.47 million beneficiaries by 2025, the ambitious undertaking has sparked concerns regarding the program's financial sustainability. The project's estimated cost of 71 trillion rupiah ($4.3 billion) could strain the national budget and potentially increase the country's debt.
The program entails acquiring significant quantities of food staples, including rice, chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, fruits, and milk. A pilot program has already commenced, distributing meals to students at SD Cilangkap 08 school in Depok. Daily meals will cover a third of a child's daily caloric needs.
Concerns persist about the program's fiscal impact. Critics raise questions about the program's logistical feasibility and potential misallocation of funds. Economic analysts warn that the program's substantial cost could jeopardize Indonesia's economic growth targets and potentially exacerbate its external debt situation.
Despite concerns, supporters highlight the persistent issue of childhood malnutrition. Stunting rates in Indonesia, while showing slight improvement, remain stubbornly high, estimated at 21.5% in 2023. This, according to the Institute for Democracy, Security, and Strategic Studies, is far from the targeted 14% reduction by 2024. Health experts emphasize the serious long-term consequences of childhood malnutrition on the health and development of the nation's youth.
