PKS Accuses Free Lunch Using Boss Funds, Democrats: No Need For Polemics, We Will Discuss In The DPR

Democratic Politician Herman Khaeron/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh-VOI

JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Party faction, Herman Khaeron, responded to PKS' statement regarding the free lunch budget which became the presidential candidate program number 2, Prabowo Subianto using school operational assistance funds (BOS).

Herman assessed that the free lunch that had been discussed in the cabinet meeting did not need to be used as a polemic. Because he said the budget would be discussed in the DPR.

Herman explained, in the discussion later the DPR and the government will tamper with similar budgets to be allocated to the free lunch program. For example, the stunting budget.

"No, it's not (wearing BOS funds). The issue raised is not clear that it will use BOS funds. The state fiscal is increasing every year and many other budgets can be migrated, the budget for stunting for malnutrition can be migrated. Then it is needed in one similar activity, right," explained Herman at the DPR building, Tuesday, March 5.

According to Herman, it is irrelevant if DPR members question where the source of the free lunch came from. Because he said, as a supervisory agency, the DPR was also the subject of the budget.

Herman said that state spending will depend on the preparation of the 2025 budget. Because he said, the elected president will use a quarter of the 2024 budget. Then fully will use the 2025 budget.

"In my opinion, it is irrelevant if the free lunch budget is discussed in public by members of the DPR. Especially because this will be discussed in the DPR. Later, it will be clear whether to use the program budget, so it will be determined in the DPR by members of the DPR together with the government," he said.

"Therefore, there is no need for polemics, we will discuss it in the DPR," added Herman.

Previously, PKS Faction DPR member Fahmi Alaydroes criticized the free lunch program initiated by candidate pair number 2 Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka when delivering the interruption at the plenary meeting.

Fahmi assessed that the program is not yet worth discussing, let alone being practiced by the current government.

"We want to convey that actually the discussion of the free lunch program, which is a promise program from the presidential and vice-presidential candidates during the campaign period yesterday, is actually not worth discussing," said Fahmi, I interrupted, Tuesday, March 5.

Fahmi also accused the discourse on a free lunch program using BOS funds. He protested because the program took education funds.

"We convey that protest or criticism should not let the campaign promises related to free lunch erode and interfere or tamper with BOS programs related to our efforts to improve the quality of our education," he said.