Indonesia's Free Meals Programme Hit by Corruption Scandal

President Prabowo Subianto’s "Free Nutritious Meals" (MBG) programme, launched in 2025 to curb child stunting, has expanded to nearly 28,000 kitchens that serve up to 3,000 meals a day. The initiative, funded with an initial $2.8 billion and a total budget of about $15 billion, reallocates resources from health and education budgets.

In June, the head of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency and two deputies were arrested on suspicion of procurement fraud involving $56 million. Investigations have been widened to seven suspects, including a police officer and a military officer. The government cut the 2024 budget from $18.4 billion to $14.7 billion after the scandal emerged, and critics warn the scheme’s size creates many opportunities for graft.

Prabowo acknowledged the misuse, ordering regional officials, the army and police to audit all MBG kitchens (SPPG). He urged citizens to report irregularities via TikTok and stressed proper food portions, advising boiled or fried‑egg preparations over scrambled eggs to prevent dilution of nutrition.