Jakarta. National Development Planning Minister and head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, confirmed that the budget for the free school meal program will range between Rp 15,000 (around $1) to Rp 20,000 per meal.

"It will remain around Rp 15,000 to Rp 20,000, depending on the region," Suharso stated after a dialogue with Executive Chairman B-Universe Enggartiasto Lukita at the B-Universe office in PIK 2, Tangerang.

Suharso's statement dismisses recent rumors suggesting that the budget for free nutritious meals would be cut to Rp 7,500 per meal.

"I heard concerns about the budget being cut to Rp 7,500. I think that's not true. The price will definitely be around Rp 15,000 to Rp 20,000," he emphasized.

Suharso explained that the budget for the flagship program of President and Vice President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka has been calculated based on ideal requirements.

"We aim to improve nutrition. We calculate the calories to be provided to each child per day, ensuring it meets a certain percentage of their daily needs over five days. So, the rumor of Rp 7,500 is not true," he concluded.

Suharso added that discussions on the free nutritious meal budget and other new government programs have already taken place between Bappenas and the Prabowo-Gibran synchronization team.

"We are also trying to incorporate all the quick wins from Prabowo's team, following the President's instructions, to be accommodated in the 2025 State Budget. We have also discussed the five-year National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) that will be directed by President-elect Prabowo," he said.

The government plans to allocate Rp 71 trillion in the 2025 Draft State Budget (RAPBN) for President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s free meal program for students. The initiative aims to gradually provide meals to approximately 82.9 million students by 2029, with a projected total budget of Rp 400 trillion.