Indonesia Considers Cutting Free School Meals to Ease Budget Pressure

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Jakarta: Indonesia is considering scaling back its free school meal programme as part of efforts to ease budget pressures linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to reports.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government is evaluating a proposal to reduce meal distribution from six days a week to five, a move that could save around 40 trillion rupiah (approximately $2.37 billion).

The proposal was put forward by the country’s national nutrition agency and would require approval from President Prabowo Subianto.

The potential cuts come as Indonesia looks to secure broader budget savings. A presidential spokesperson recently indicated that the government is targeting around 80 trillion rupiah (about $5 billion) in savings to cushion the economic impact of the ongoing war.

Photo Credit: Antara News