Free meals drive leaves remote kitchen investors deep in debt
Mounting debts are the latest blow for an initiative that has struggled with governance issues, supply chains problems, mass food poisoning cases and financial cutbacks since it was launched last year, leaving kitchens idle, children unfed and investors owing tens of millions of dollars.
The free meals initiative, launched last year, has faced numerous challenges, leading to mounting debts and idle kitchens. Over 400 investors have borrowed money to build more than 1,500 kitchens in remote areas, with repayment terms delayed or changed. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the program, did not respond to requests for comment.
Prabowo Subianto, the president, has intervened to address these issues, sacking the agency's first head and initiating corruption investigations. Around 700 kitchens have official contracts for repayment, while another 800 are awaiting final government inspection. Many owners are facing pressure from banks or loan sharks, with some equipment being repossessed.
Sigit Buludawa, a 34-year-old lawyer who built a kitchen in Torosiaje, off the coast of Sulawesi, borrowed all his money and loans from unlicensed lenders. He is now deeply in debt, with no clear path to repayment. The program, aimed at serving 83 million Indonesians, including school children and pregnant women, has struggled with governance issues, supply chain problems, mass food poisoning cases, and financial cutbacks.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
