Free Meals Program to Surpass McDonald’s Output: President Prabowo

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto believes the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program will surpass the daily output of the world’s largest fast-food chain, McDonald’s. He emphasized that MBG is Indonesia’s strategic investment in human capital development.

President Prabowo explained that the MBG program began on January 6, 2025, with 190 kitchens serving 570,000 recipients each day. Within a year, the number of kitchens expanded to 21,102, covering all regions of Indonesia.

“Up until last night, we produced 59.8 million meal portions for 58.9 million recipients. These meals were distributed to children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and elderly people living alone,” the President said during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Prabowo set a target for MBG to reach 68 million portions per day within the next month. “To put this into perspective, in about a month we will surpass McDonald’s, 68 million portions per day,” he stated.

He compared this achievement to McDonald’s long journey, which began in the 1940s. “It took them around 55 years to reach 68 million portions per day,” Prabowo noted.

Looking ahead, the President aims for MBG to provide 82.9 million meals per day by the end of December 2026. He added that his cabinet ministers are confident the target can be achieved even sooner. “My aides told me: ‘Sir, we can reach 82.9 million before December,’” Prabowo said, expressing hope that the government’s projections will be realized.

The President also highlighted the program’s significant economic impact, noting that MBG has already created more than 600,000 new jobs and generated income for 61,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“At its peak, we are optimistic that 1.5 million new jobs will be created,” he said. He added that the involvement of vendors and suppliers will support more than one million families across Indonesia.

President Prabowo delivered his special address at Congress Hall, the main venue of WEF 2026. Several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald J. Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, also spoke on the same stage.

In attendance were members of the Red-and-White Cabinet, leaders of state institutions, and representatives of Indonesia’s business community, including the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). (Diffa Sephaiwardhani/Sri Wahyuni)