Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia is on track to achieve up to eight percent economic growth, driven by his flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program that he claims is already feeding 35 million people a day, the equivalent of “seven Singapores,” while creating millions of new jobs.

“I think this (Free Nutritious Meal or MBG program) is giving a boost to the economy,” Prabowo said during the Forbes Global CEO Conference at the St. Regis Hotel in Jakarta on Wednesday evening. “I think 8 percent is very achievable.”

Speaking in a session titled “A Meeting of Minds” with Forbes Media Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes, Prabowo outlined his vision for a mixed economic model that combines the best principles of capitalism and socialism to promote both prosperity and national growth.

He said the MBG program, one of his key campaign promises, has quickly evolved into a nationwide initiative supporting job creation and local business activity. “I'm proud to say ... we now have 11,900 kitchens. And we are feeding today 35.4 million mouths and that's the equivalent of seven Singapores. So we are feeding seven Singapores every day,” he said.

Prabowo said the program has directly created around 1.5 million jobs, with 30,000 kitchens employing an average of 50 workers each. “From the Free Meal Program, we are creating directly 1.5 million jobs. There are 30,000 kitchens times 50 people working in each kitchen, that is 1.5 million direct jobs,” he said.

He cited economic experts who estimate that every one percent increase in growth can generate about 400,000 jobs, suggesting that MBG alone could contribute around three percent to national GDP. “The economic expert told me that 1 percent growth will create 400,000 jobs. Well, we already created 1.5 million jobs, which is three percent and that is not even calculated to 81,000 cooperatives there,” he added.

Prabowo noted that each Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen also spurs small-scale business activity, with about 15 local vendors supplying eggs, vegetables, fish, meat, and spices.

“Each of these 15 vendors or suppliers will have then 5, 10, or 15 workers,” he said.

Prabowo mentioned the increased income from MBG-related jobs and microbusinesses will further stimulate household consumption, reinforcing domestic demand as a pillar of Indonesia’s economy.

“Growing economy. If these people have money, what will they do? They will buy shoes, clothes, they will fix their houses, they want to buy maybe a motorcycle,” Prabowo said.

The president also reaffirmed his commitment to reforming state-owned enterprises to improve efficiency and competitiveness, while ensuring inclusive growth that benefits communities nationwide.

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