Indef: Prabowo-Gibran Free Nutrition Eating Program Needs To Involve MSMEs

JAKARTA - The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) reminded that the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program promoted by the elected President and Vice President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka needs to involve micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"If the institution's design is good, this could be a stimulant in domestic economic demand. Make sure MSME actors are involved, even though the budget is only IDR 71 trillion," said Big Data Development Director Indef Eko Listiyanto in an Indef Public Discussion in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Thursday, July 4.

He continued that the draft free nutritious eating program should not only be target-oriented, but must involve local economic actors, especially in its execution.

"Don't eat nutritious but there are a lot of imported milk or products, later the current account transaction will run," he said.

Similarly, the Director of International Collaboration, Indef Imaduddin Abdullah, also highlighted the importance of the free lunch program not using imported products.

Imaduddin reminded that the target of a free nutritious eating program is an improvement in the quality of human resources (HR) so that productivity can increase. These results can only be felt in the next 10 to 20 years, so financing needs to be carefully calculated until the long term.

"Don't let MSMEs not get involved in big activities. Good program preparations are carried out in stages, pilot projects can be implemented in all provinces in Indonesia," he added.

Previously, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati allocated a budget for the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program of IDR 71 trillion in the 2025 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget Draft (RAPBN).

Sri Mulyani detailed that the implementation of the MBG Program will be carried out in stages, with an allocation of IDR 71 trillion, which is the budget for the first year.

The MBG Porgram Budget has been included in the posture of the 2025 RAPBN which was agreed upon in the discussion of the Macro Economic Framework and the Principles of Fiscal Policy (KEM-PPKF).

The State Treasurer said the Prabowo-Gibran Team would draw up details of the MBG Program which was explained separately. The preparation of the 2025 RAPBN itself is carried out following the APBN cycle regulated in the State Finance Law and discussed with the DPR for approval.