Key facts
- Thousands of Indonesian free meals kitchen operators are protesting a government moratorium on new kitchens.
- The National Nutrition Agency plans to temporarily halt the addition of 13,000 new kitchens.
- Operators have invested in buildings, equipment, and workers, with some spending at least 1.5 billion rupiah ($82,965) per kitchen.
- Kitchen operators are seeking financial compensation or the ability to begin operations.
- Lawmakers have pledged to relay the operators' concerns to the National Nutrition Agency.
Thousands of Indonesian free meals kitchen operators have protested the government's decision to scale down President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals program, a move aimed at saving money. The National Nutrition Agency (NNA) plans to temporarily halt the addition of 13,000 new kitchens, adding to the existing nearly 28,000.
Operators, who have already invested heavily in setting up their kitchens and securing permits, are unable to commence operations. Representatives from three kitchen operator associations voiced their concerns in parliament, stating that their members had invested significant sums, including taking bank loans or selling assets, with some spending at least 1.5 billion rupiah ($82,965) per kitchen. They aim to recover these investments through regular payments from the NNA for meals produced.
The associations are demanding either the return of their invested funds or permission for their kitchens to operate. They have threatened legal action against the NNA if their demands are not met. Lawmaker Irma Suryani assured that the parliamentary committee would convey these concerns to the NNA.