Jakarta, Feb. 13 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reassured the public that the government is sustaining the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program using funds reallocated from a cross-institutional budget efficiency policy.

He reinforced his commitment to budget transparency during the inauguration of 1,179 police-run MBG kitchens in West Jakarta on Friday, responding to critics who accused the program of being wasteful, inefficient, and extravagant.

The president noted that since its launch on January 6 last year, the national priority program has faced negative and pessimistic views, including from people he considers academically accomplished.

"They predicted this meals project would fail, saying it was only a waste of budget,...