Indonesia’s ambitious free school meals programme begins, but will Jakarta eat the bills?

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious plan to provide free meals to 82 million school-aged children and pregnant women by 2029, was quietly launched on January 6, 2025. While praised for its potential economic benefits, ability to boost school enrolment and long-term improvement of human capital, the initiative has also faced scepticism about its sustainability. Critics say the programme’s initial budget of 71 trillion rupiah (US$4.4 billion) and long-term funding needs may put a heavy burden on the country’s fragile finances. There are also concerns the programme may divert investments from other critical areas such as infrastructure.