Free meals program rolled out hastily, admits Luhut - Regulations - The Jakarta Post

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National Economic Council (DEN) head Luhut Pandjaitan said the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals program was “somewhat rushed” but expressed optimism that significant improvements would happen in the coming months.

Luhut Pandjaitan (center), chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), speaks to reporters alongside DEN executive secretary Septian Hario Seto (right) and DEN member Chatib Basri (left) after a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on June 9, 2026. (Antara/Bayu Pratama S)

National Economic Council (DEN) head Luhut Pandjaitan has admitted to flaws in the rollout of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meal program.Luhut said on Wednesday that the program’s implementation was “somewhat rushed, that’s why it was problematic”, but expressed optimism that it would “much improve” in the next six to twelve months.

“The way [to handle this] is to undertake more efficiency measures and identify problems. Why was it rolled out all at once instead of in stages until we can understand more,” Luhut was quoted as saying by Kontan.