Tangerang — President Prabowo Subianto stressed that state budget efficiency should not be interpreted as reducing regional transfer funds. He assured district governments that efficiency measures taken by the central government would be redirected to local administrations across Indonesia through programs such as school revitalization and the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) initiative.

“Efficiency does not mean cutting regional transfers. Some are direct, others indirect. For example, MBG is present in villages and districts. This year, we disbursed Rp171 trillion to the regions, and next year we have budgeted Rp335 trillion, which will reach every village,” Prabowo said while opening the Indonesian Regency Government Association (APKASI) Autonomy Expo 2025 at ICE BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday (Aug. 28).

As of August 2025, Prabowo noted, MBG beneficiaries have reached 23 million people, consisting of students and pregnant women. To support the program, more than 6,600 MBG kitchens have been established nationwide, creating broad employment opportunities for local communities.

“We are making tangible progress every day, and by December, the number of beneficiaries will reach 82.9 million. That means all Indonesian children, including expectant mothers. I believe this is one of the programs now drawing global attention,” he said.

The president underscored that MBG reflects the state’s commitment to Indonesian children, particularly in rural areas where many families still struggle financially. He vowed the government would extend the program to remote areas so that all children could benefit.

“We will care for them, we will defend them, because they are Indonesian children—the responsibility of the Republic of Indonesia. No child should go to school without eating properly. At the very least, they should have a nutritious meal at school,” Prabowo declared.

“For now, we can only provide one meal a day, but that is already an extraordinary achievement for our Republic. Some have asked, ‘Mr. President, can we have two meals in our area?’ The state budget would collapse if we tried that. Where would the money come from? From efficiency,” he emphasized.