Indonesia free meal plan stunted by delays, protests, poisonings

When an Indonesian mother sent her daughter to school in May, she didn't anticipate the severe illness that followed the government's new free meal program. Her daughter experienced intense stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting through the night, a distressing incident that was not isolated. Several other schools also reported similar food poisoning cases linked to the initiative.

This billion-dollar program, championed by President Prabowo Subianto during his landslide election victory, was intended to tackle high rates of stunted growth among children. Despite its ambitious goal to feed 17.5 million children this year at a cost of US$4.3 billion, the rollout since January has been turbulent. It has only reached five million students so far and is mired in accusations of nepotism, significant funding delays, and public protests. Surprisingly, President Prabowo has minimized the poisoning incidents, citing them as a sign of the program's 99.99 percent "success rate."

Experts express serious concerns about the program's integrity and effectiveness. Egi Primayogha of Indonesia Corruption Watch points out that a large budget combined with lax monitoring creates a high risk for corruption, especially given the program's rushed implementation without proper planning or transparency. Reports, including one from Tempo magazine, suggest that some appointed partners are Prabowo's political supporters. Public policy expert Agus Pambagio criticizes the lack of public consultation, warning that emulating decades-old programs from Japan and India within months is "suicide" and could lead to fatalities.

Beyond safety and corruption, the program faces financial hurdles. While it aims to reduce child stunting to five percent by 2045 with an allocated $0.62 per meal, authorities have been accused of underfunding and payment delays, forcing one catering business to temporarily shut down. Although the government recently announced a budget boost, it was quickly revised down due to mounting problems. These widespread issues even sparked protests across Indonesian cities in February. Despite the challenges, some parents, like Reni Parlina, find the program helpful for saving money. However, a May survey by Populix found over 83 percent of respondents believe the policy needs review, with calls for its suspension until a thorough evaluation is conducted. Parents like the mother of the sick girl remain skeptical, believing the program poses "more risks than benefits" and is not functioning effectively.