National Economic Council Chairperson Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan gives a press statement at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his commitment to encourage government digitalization through Government Technology (GovTech) integration and to ensure Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program produces the best results for the Indonesian people. It is said in the meeting with National Economic Council (DEN) at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
DEN Chairperson Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan mentioned that the President has targeted to launch GovTech on the upcoming August 17.
“In August 17, President Prabowo aims to inaugurate or launch this government technology program that will integrate all apps in the ministries and government institutions, so it will lead to efficiency and corruption prevention,” Luhut said.
One of the breakthroughs of GovTech program is that every family must own a bank account, so social aid distribution can be well-targeted. Luhut added that the system in estimated to save up to Rp100 trillion in the future years.
Additionally, DEN also presented comprehensive research showing the positive result of the MBG program which potentially create up to 1.9 million job opportunities and lower the poverty rate up to 5.8 percent.
“This is a very good program in the pro-job context, creating up to 1.9 million job opportunities and lower the poverty rate up to 5.8 percent,” Arief stated.
Furthermore, DEN suggested some measures to strengthen MBG implementation, starting from business process review, routine audit conducted by Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), and also a measure to include the people in monitoring to ensure that the supply chain is maintained and there is no budget leak.
“However, once again, the point is let us support this, because this is our flagship, our national flagship,” Arief said. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat) (AW/LW)
