Indonesia spends $4.24 billion on free meals programme

Indonesia spent 75 trillion rupiah ($4.24 billion) on its national free meals program through late April. The expenditure represents the first drawdown for President Prabowo Subianto's flagship social initiative. This fiscal trajectory reflects how the administration is balancing populist campaign promises against a widening budget deficit.

### Spending Adjustments to Protect the Budget Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that the program reached 62 million recipients by April 30. While the government initially earmarked 335 trillion rupiah for the full year, the allocation is now set at 268 trillion rupiah. Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa noted the government is seeking further savings to maintain fiscal discipline.