Thousands of Indonesian free meals kitchens have expressed frustration after the government decided to scale down President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals programme to save costs. Jakarta is considering a budget cut exceeding US$2 billion, which would reduce both the number of beneficiaries and kitchen operators.

Currently, nearly 28,000 kitchens participate in the programme. The National Nutrition Agency (NNA) plans to temporarily halt the addition of 13,000 new kitchens as part of efficiency measures.

During a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, three associations representing kitchen operators reported that their members had already invested in kitchens and secured operating permits but were unable to begin operations due to the moratorium.

Yusuf Supriadi of the Kitchen Partners Associations stated, “It is the ⁠NNA who asked us to build kitchens, they approved the permits but then our kitchens could not ‌operate … We hope to be supported not to be destroyed.”

The associations have indicated they may pursue legal action against the NNA if their investments are not returned or if their kitchens remain non-operational.

The programme was paused during the school break amid economic pressures and anticipated reforms.

Sources