Prabowo's allies turn their backs on troubled free meals scheme
JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s big-tent coalition has given him almost unchecked power for two years, but mass food poisoning and graft linked to his flagship free meals programme have emerged as the first major test of their support for the former special forces commander.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's coalition, which holds nearly full control of the country's parliament, is facing growing dissent over his flagship free meals scheme. Two parties within the coalition have already distanced themselves from the initiative after internal discussions, with a third party expressing concern that the programme's problems could negatively impact their electoral prospects.
These parties collectively represent over a quarter of the coalition's 80% parliamentary majority, which includes seven of the eight parties in the house. The flagship program, which aimed to provide free, nutritious meals to 83 million children and pregnant women, has been plagued by incidents of mass food poisoning, logistical challenges, and allegations of corruption.
A recent poll shows that 62% of the public opposes the program, while the president's approval rating has plummeted from 81% in November to 44.5% in October. The coalition's survival may hinge on addressing these issues, as internal polls show the affected party's electability has declined since July.
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