Prabowo Subianto on Free Lunch Program: 'I've Seen People Died of Hunger'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto revealed the background of his free lunch and milk program as part of his priority agenda if elected in the upcoming general elections.

The defense minister admitted that he had never experienced food scarcity. However, as someone born in 1951, there were no rich people during his childhood. "That's why I like fried rice since it was made from leftovers with one egg eaten by six people," he said on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The head of the Gerindra Party also said that his experience as a commander was a background for this program. He claimed to have witnessed people die of hunger in front of his tent while leading an operation in the mountainous area.  "That's why food is a priority to me," he said.

If he's elected as president, Prabowo said, he would prioritize food. "For me, food security, energy security, water security, clean government, affirmative action, and then the economy— we give business opportunity," he remarked.

The free lunch and milk for schoolchildren is one of the priority programs for the running pair Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Back in November, the pair's winning team officially launched the campaign for this program.

The program was often criticized for its huge, Rp400 trillion, budget. Prabowo-Gibran claimed that they would increase state revenue to fund this free lunch program.

Prabowo Subianto runs for presidential candidacy alongside the president's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. They face Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md in the general elections slated for February 14 this year.

HAN REVANDA PUTRA

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