Prabowo's Free Lunch Program Discussed At The Palace, Muhadjir: Just In Order For Sustainability

President Jokowi during an inspection of the office of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. (Instagram prabowo)

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy explained the reason why the free lunch program in the style of presidential and vice presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka was discussed at a cabinet meeting at the State Palace.

Muhadjir said that the entry of the discussion on the free lunch program to be taken into account in the draft regional revenue and expenditure budget (RAPBN) for the 2025 budget year is only an anticipation to harmonize policies next year.

"It's just a precaution, just anticipate it. So that there is continuity between existing programs in 2024 and will not be broken in 2025," said Muhadjir at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 27.

According to Muhadjir, the discussion of Prabowo-Gibran's flagship program in the preparation of the 2025 State Budget is not too early even though the KPU has not yet determined the presidential and vice presidential candidates to win the 2024 presidential election.

Moreover, the budget design mechanism is still long and still has to go through discussions in the DPR RI. So, the government's planning regarding the free lunch program can still change.

"There will still be changes in the APBN-P, the APBN changes. If it has to change later, thank God if it doesn't change, it's designed to be competitive so that it can be sustainable from the previous APBN with the next APBN," said Muhadjir.

Moreover, if the free lunch program will later be officially included in the state budget and run by the government next year, Muhadjir emphasized that the state budget will not be allowed to swell.

"It's safe. Actually, it's just moving the envelope. So far, you've been budgeting for education, there's BOS, then later if possible from village funds. So, don't imagine, don't imagine that there will be an additional new budget, especially like that, no," he explained.

It is known, President Joko Widodo discussed the Government Work Plan (RKP) 2025, including the free lunch program for presidential and vice president candidates Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the plenary cabinet session at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday 26 February.

"Earlier discussed the RKP, this is just an initial meeting. Discussing Prabowo's priority programs, including early lunch (free)," said Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday, February 26.