Indonesia defends free meals programme amid corruption claims

Indonesia has vowed to overhaul President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious free nutritious meals programme following public pressure and allegations of corruption, a move analysts describe as a moderate concession. The $15 billion initiative aims to reach 83 million schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers to combat malnutrition and stunted growth. Analysts say scrapping the flagship programme would be politically embarrassing for the administration, making reform the preferred path forward.