Denies Discussing The Lunch Program, Jokowi Admits Asking His Minister To Budget The Elected President's Program

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) denied the discussion of the free lunch program which became the campaign promise for presidential and vice presidential candidate pair number two, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka during a cabinet meeting some time ago.

This was conveyed by Jokowi after opening the TNI/Polri Leadership Meeting at GOR Ahmad Yani, TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Wednesday, February 28.

"No, there is no (discussion about the lunch program at the cabinet meeting, ed)," Jokowi told reporters at the location.

Even so, Jokowi agreed that he had asked his ministers to include the elected presidential program in the next budget plan.

"So that the elected president becomes faster and easier in budgeting," he said.

"So it will no longer apply for a budget to the DPR which was conveyed in yesterday's plenary meeting," continued the former Governor of DKI Jakarta.

As previously reported, news of President Jokowi discussing Prabowo-Gibran's free lunch program emerged after a plenary cabinet session was held at the State Palace, Monday, February 26. At that time a number of ministers and heads of institutions were present.

This information was conveyed by the Minister of ATR/BPN Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono who said the program was indeed discussed but not in detail.

"I see it at first glance because the time is quite short, there are no details discussed," the Democratic Party chairman told reporters.