Jakarta. Sunday’s debate finale showed the presidential candidates Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto were somewhat like-minded on the need to provide nutritious meals for pregnant mothers.

Ganjar was answering Prabowo’s question for comments on the latter’s flagship program of providing free meals for children and pregnant mothers. Prabowo has been campaigning this strategy as a means to slash Indonesia’s stunting rate and maternal mortality.

“I would agree if we decide to provide nutritious meals for pregnant mothers. So once the baby is born, the mother will be safe because she is getting checked. I think what you have said is good because it would slash the maternal and infant mortality rates,” Ganjar said.

“If these children are already born and are at an age where they are growing up, that is called malnutrition. But I guess that would work for malnutrition,” Ganjar said.

Prabowo then responded to Ganjar’s comments, saying that was what his program was trying to deliver.

“That is exactly the same as my [nutritional support] program for pregnant mothers. They carry a baby in their wombs for nine months. But stunting is indeed caused by a lack of nutrition. Because the kids and their mothers do not get enough nutrition. This is something almost widespread across the entire archipelago. I have seen 10-year-old children whose physical appearance is like that of a four-year-old,” Prabowo said.

“That is why it calls for government intervention. We have to take the courage and provide these food aids,” Prabowo said,

Prabowo’s free school meal program is expected to improve the quality of school children's nutritional intake and the quality of Indonesia’s human resources and drive the national economy. The program beneficiaries include children in elementary schools and Islamic boarding schools, as well as toddlers and pregnant mothers. In the long run, this program is expected to drive economic growth. The ingredients used in the meal will come from farmers, fishermen, as well as the local small and medium enterprises near the schools. The menu will also include fresh milk.