Prabowo’s Free Meals Plan Draws Court Challenge by Civil Groups

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals is facing a second constitutional challenge from civil groups who are questioning the funding arrangements for the $20 billion initiative.

The civil coalition known as MBG Watch has petitioned the Constitutional Court for a judicial review of the 2026 state budget law that underpins funding for the program, the group said in a statement Tuesday. MBG Watch is seeking to have parts of the law declared unconstitutional, arguing it gives overly broad discretion over public fund management. The group also says the legislation was drafted with insufficient transparency and public participation, and lacks clear fiscal safeguards.