Regarding The Discourse On Pangkas Fuel Subsidy For The Free Lunch Program, This Is Erick Thohir's Response

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JAKARTA - The free lunch program initiated by the candidate pair (paslon) number 02 Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka is now in the public spotlight. This is because this program is said to be cutting the oil treason subsidy budget (BBM).

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir responded to the news. He admitted that he had not heard and received detailed information directly from Prabowo-Gibran.

On the other hand, Erick also mentioned that throughout the administration of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) the total energy subsidies that have been disbursed by the government have reached Rp540 trillion.

"I haven't heard about it, what is certain is that Indonesia has provided energy subsidies of up to Rp540 trillion, where its use must be right on target," he said when met at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Sunday, February 18.

Erick assessed the problem of other context free meals programs. He said, this free lunch program aims to form a golden generation in the future. Where from the stomach of the mother, toddler, to children need to get protein and vitamin intake.

Moreover, continued Erick, based on world research, it was stated that the Indonesian population was one of the shortest in the world. Where the average height only reaches 168 meters.

What does that mean? There needs to be protein intake, vitamins from an early age. Why? Future economic development is based on the knowledge base economy, that human intelligence creates new economic growth, not only natural resources. This is what the government is pushing, Pak Prabowo and Mas Gibran," he said.

According to Erick, the funding for this free lunch program can come from various efficiencies carried out by the Prabowo-Gibran government later.

"Well, if the allocation of funds can be sought from various efficiency, what is the efficiency like? Yes later, I have no right to talk about that," he said.

Erick assessed that the issue of cutting the energy subsidy budget to be used in the implementation of the new free lunch program is only an initial discussion and has not yet become a decision.

"Because I am still working and still serving the government under Pak Jokowi, that's right, but I make sure the conversation is still in talks, not a decision (policy)," he explained.