On Wednesday (4 March 2026) Indonesia Investments released the February 2026 edition of its monthly report. The report discusses a selection of topics (related to the Indonesian economy, politics and social matters) that were relevant in the month of February 2026.
A total of 713 economists and professionals who are members of the Indonesian Economist Alliance called on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to temporarily halt the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis) program while the program is being evaluated. Let's take a closer look at this program.
The Free Nutritious Meal program (in Indonesian: Makan Bergizi Gratis, abbreviated as MBG) is a true cornerstone of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s domestic policy, representing one of the largest social welfare initiatives in the history of the country.
Tensions in Indonesian society peaked in late August and early September 2025 as big demonstrations, fundamentally driven by deep, long-standing public frustration over economic hardship and perceived political corruption, took the streets. It was a scary period, with reportedly ten fatalities.