Indonesian posts falsely claim free school meals scheme to be scrapped

The graphic declaring President Prabowo Subianto had "officially scrapped" his flagship free school meals policy was shared on Facebook on June 14, 2026.

"Purbaya replaces (free school meals programme) with cash assistance scheme," says Indonesian-language text on the graphic, referring to Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. The graphic features images of both Prabowo and Purbaya.

Both the Facebook post and the graphic say the decision heavily affected kitchens distributing the meals, forcing thousands of them to close.

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Screenshot of the false post captured on June 26, 2026, with a red X added by AFP

The graphic was also shared in similar Facebook, Instagram and Threads posts.

"Hoping, as it is replaced by cash, it will be more effective and efficient," reads a comment on one of the posts.

Another says: "The fund should be directed into education and health sectors only."

The much-hyped billion-dollar feeding scheme was the flagship policy of Prabowo's 2024 election campaign (archived link).

The government says the programme has provided meals to more than 61 million people by March 2026, but it has also been blighted by food poisoning and corruption claims (archived here and here).

On June 12, Indonesian students protesting worsening economic conditions had also demanded the government halt the free school meals scheme (archived link). 

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Women carry kitchen utensils and display posters, one of which reads "Stop the problematic and non-transparent free meal programme," during a protest in Jakarta on June 18, 2026. (AFP / BAY ISMOYO)

But there have been no official reports of the government scrapping the programme.

The National Nutrition Agency, the body tasked to distribute the meals, has previously rejected calls to replace the scheme with a cash handout -- saying such handouts are prone to misuse (archived link).

Nothing more urgent

Several days after the student protest, Government Communication Agency head Muhammad Qodari said it would be unlikely for the government to stop the programme as it was "a public mandate" (archived link).

The president has also defended the programme on many occasions.

In a speech during the commemoration of the country's National Farmers and Fishermen Week in Gorontalo on June 24, Prabowo emphasised the importance of the programme, saying there was nothing more important than solving "an empty stomach" (archived link).

"Those who oppose (the free meals programme) should come here. Ask the farmers and fishermen. Ask the children. Is it necessary or not?" he said.

"Some intelligent people say there are things more urgent than an empty stomach. I do not think there is anything more urgent than an empty stomach. If a hungry person's stomach is not filled immediately, then they will die."

Tweaks to scheme

While the president has dismissed suggestions the free school meals programme should be scrapped, efforts are being made to rein in costs.

The National Nutrition Agency has ordered kitchens not to serve them in the holiday period between June 22 and July 13 (archived link). The agency said the freeze will also apply on future public and religious holidays as well as weekends.

Spokeswoman Agustina Arumsari said in a statement on June 18 the move was not just about "budget efficiency" but would "ensure that every resource owned by the state truly provides optimal benefits for the groups in need".

The state is expected to save more than three trillion rupiah ($168 million) in the upcoming holiday period, Agustina said, adding that this would present an opportunity to take stock and "ensure that the free nutritious meal programme becomes more accurately targeted".

AFP reached out to Agustina for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publication.

Cuts have also been made to the free meals budget, Finance Minister Purbaya announced on June 26 (archived link). 

He did not reveal the amount that had been cut, but said it was "significant".

Local media reported the programme -- which aims to feed 83 million schoolchildren, pregnant mothers and other recipients -- was allocated 268 trillion rupiah (US$14.9 billion) in the 2026 budget.

AFP has previously debunked misleading claims about supposed Indonesian government schemes.