Analysis: Two years of Prabowo: The cost of presidential ambition

Two years into his presidency, President Prabowo Subianto is directing a series of state-led initiatives, from subsidized meals to village cooperatives. Despite billions allocated to these flagship plans, critical sectors like education, healthcare, and disaster readiness remain underfunded. While Prabowo campaigned on promises of jobs, affordable housing, and improved nutrition, critics question whether political ambition outweighs practical needs.

By September 2026, the free meals program had spent Rp 204.7 trillion, serving 57 million people, yet food poisoning incidents rose to 50,059. Oversight of the program has been questioned, with reports that impact assessments were not publicly available. The Red and White Cooperatives, backed by Rp 106 trillion in bank loans, face challenges in management and sustainability.

Critics argue that these programs could consume funds that could be better spent on schools, hospitals, and scholarships. The opportunity cost is significant, with roughly Rp 20 trillion enough to renovate 10,000 schools, upgrade 20 regional hospitals, and fund 50,000 scholarships. Meanwhile, disaster preparedness remains precarious, with the government's budget for disaster response equipment slashed from 1,850 units to 235.

As emergencies continue to disrupt recovery efforts, the urgency of making sound budgetary choices becomes clear.