Prabowo Sets Bold Target: 82.9 Million Children to Receive Free Nutritious Meals by Year-End — “What Took Others 11 Years, We’ll Do in One”

rnJakarta — President Prabowo Subianto has announced an ambitious target to expand the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) to reach 82.9 million children across Indonesia by the end of 2025. Speaking at the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) on Wednesday night (July 23) at the Jakarta Convention Center, he stressed that this initiative has become a national priority—and a matter of urgency.rnPrabowo shared a personal and emotional account of his recent visit to Central Java, where the demand for the program was unmistakable.rn“I was traveling from Solo to Klaten. Along the road, schoolchildren, teachers, everyday people—they all came out of their homes. I thought, this isn’t a campaign anymore. They stood there for hours,” he recounted. “I got out of my car, stood on top, and I heard the children shouting: ‘Sir, nutritious meals, please!’”rnHe continued, “I asked, ‘Have you had school today?’ ‘Not yet, Sir,’ they replied. It hit me hard. I had just received a report—only 6.7 million children had received MBG meals. I shouted back to them, ‘Be patient!’”rnMoved by that encounter, Prabowo immediately instructed his team to accelerate program implementation, with a target of reaching 20 million children by mid-August.rn“These children understand that managing public funds isn’t simple. Every cent must be accounted for. That’s why kitchen staff need to be trained, prepared, and taught how to manage resources properly. It takes time. But my team reported back: ‘Sir, we can accelerate. We believe we can hit 20 million by August 17.’”rn“And from there, we’ll keep going. We pray and hope that by December 2025, we’ll reach 82.9 million children.”rnPresident Prabowo added that this massive effort is beginning to draw global attention.rn“This is something other nations are watching closely. When I travel abroad, world leaders ask about this program. Some are even preparing to send teams to Indonesia to learn from us,” he said. “The former President of Brazil told me it took them 11 years to reach 40 million children.”rn“So now Indonesia dares to do what others took over a decade to accomplish. While other countries need 11 years, we’re going all in—this year, we’ll reach 82.9 million beneficiaries.”rnStill, Prabowo acknowledged that optimism must be matched by results.rn“We must prove this,” he cautioned. “So maybe by the end of December or early January, I hope PKB invites me back—so you can hold me accountable for what I’m saying today. Let’s see in December 2025 or January.”rnThe Free Nutritious Meal Program is part of Prabowo’s broader vision to tackle child hunger, malnutrition, and learning gaps, by ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the fuel they need to learn, grow, and succeed.rn