Can Indonesia afford free lunches?

The Inquiry podcast explores whether Indonesia can afford its ambitious free school lunch program, a key initiative by President Prabowo Subianto to combat malnutrition and foster a "Golden Indonesia." The program aims to nourish over 80 million children but faces challenges due to Indonesia's vast archipelago, inequality, and infrastructure deficits, including contaminated water and inadequate sanitation. While inspired by India's successful free meal program, Indonesia's version is criticized for budget cuts in essential services like education, logistical problems, and the involvement of the military, potentially harming local businesses. Experts debate whether the program effectively addresses malnutrition and if it's reaching the right people, suggesting alternative approaches like direct assistance to mothers and better wages for fathers to ensure long-term nutritional improvements.