JakartaPost-Oct 23
President Prabowo Subiato’s big-tent coalition has given him almost unchecked power for two years, but mass food poisoning and graft linked to his flagship free meals program have emerged as the first major test of their support for the former special forces commander. Two political parties in the coalition have already decided, after internal deliberations, to distance themselves from the program, senior members from both parties with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. A member of a third coalition party said their party feared the problems with the scheme would hurt their electoral prospects. Together, the parties of the three people, who asked not to be identified because they feared repercussions for criticizing Prabowo’s policies, represent more than a quarter of his coalition’s 80 percent majority in the House of Representatives, which includes seven of the eight parties in the house. Prabowo’s Gerindra party has 15 percent. “Loyalty must also have limits,” a member of one of the parties, which was once a vocal defender of the program. Prabowo made providing free, nutritious meals a cornerstone of his election campaign, promising to reach 83 million children and pregnant women, but several incidents of mass food poisoning, logistical challenges and allegations of corruption have left many questioning the multibillion-dollar initiative. A poll conducted in early October by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) showed about 62 percent of the public opposed the program, while approval for the president himself fell to the lowest since he took office. “What are the limits? The survival of our party,” the party member said, adding internal polls showed the party’s electability had fallen in July from January. They did not give further details of the confidential survey meant only for internal party consumption. “If by mid-2027 there are no improvements, the coalition will be fragile and things may eventually fall apart on their own,” they said. Indonesia’s next elections are due in early 2029. Read more at:
