Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the Free Nutritious Meals program will focus on Islamic boarding schools, religious schools, and 3T areas in the initial phase.
Zulkifli Hasan stated the government is preparing the program in two phases. In the first phase over one month, priority is given to 3T regions and religious-based educational institutions including Islamic boarding schools.
He explained the government will use existing kitchens in pesantren and Islamic schools to speed up implementation without building new facilities. The plan will be presented to President Prabowo Subianto within one to two weeks.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Audit Watch founding secretary Iskandar Sitorus stressed the need for program evaluation to strengthen governance. He cited challenges over the past two years including changes in technical guidelines and alleged food poisoning that prompted evaluations in various regions.
House Commission IX member Edy Wuryanto added that several Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units have not operated due to lack of certainty in cooperation from the National Nutrition Agency.
