Prabowo-Gibran Free Eating Program Discussed At Cabinet Session, Mahfud: Should Wait For Inauguration

JAKARTA - Candidate for Vice President number three, Mahfud MD assessed that the free meal program should not be discussed in the current plenary cabinet session of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

According to him, the program is more appropriate to discuss when the inauguration of the elected president has been carried out.

The distribution of free meals is known to be the program of the number two presidential and vice presidential candidate pair, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

"It should not be discussed now, but waiting for a new president. For example, Mr. Ganjar who was inaugurated or Mr. Anies or Pak Prabowo. Waiting for it. That means, waiting after October 20, to be more ethical," Mahfud told reporters in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium area (GBK), Friday, March 1.

However, said Mahfud, what is happening at this time is the difference in statements between President Jokowi and his ministers regarding the discussion of the program.

Because, Jokowi denied that the free meal program was discussed in a cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, several ministers stated that there was indeed a discussion.

"So, now the talks are different. The president said he didn't talk about it, the minister said yes. It's finished. It's started to not be coordinated anymore," said Mahfud.

Meanwhile, Jokowi denied the discussion of the free lunch and milk program at the plenary cabinet session at the Presidential Palace, on Monday, February 26.

"Nothing, nothing. Only in the plenary cabinet meeting I convey that the elected presidential programs must have been included in the 2025 budget plan," said Jokowi.

Meanwhile, the Minister of ATR/BPN, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, said that the program was discussed but not in detail.