President Prabowo Subianto’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 programme 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 programme, senior members from both parties with knowledge of the discussions said.
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 officials, who asked not to be identified as they feared repercussions for criticising Prabowo’s policies, represent more than a quarter of his coalition’s 80% parliamentary majority, which includes seven of the eight parties in the house. Prabowo’s Gerindra party has 15%.
“Loyalty must also have limits,” a member of one of the parties, which was once a vocal defender of the programme, said.
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 Indonesians questioning the multibillion-dollar initiative.
A poll conducted early this month by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) showed at least 62% of the public opposed the programme, 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 that 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.
Until now, Prabowo – who is marking two years in office this week – has faced little or no pushback.
There have been no dissenting votes in parliament on any Bill the government has proposed, not even by the one party that is not formally part of the ruling bloc.
Nor has the leader of South-East Asia’s largest economy faced any speeches critical of his policies.
However, tensions in Prabowo’s coalition have risen as the president’s approval rating declined.
Last November, Prabowo had an 81% rating, according to SMRC. It fell to 66.4% in March, 51% in July and 44.5% in October.
Positive opinions of the free meals programme have also slumped – from 62% last November to just over a third in the most recent poll.
In June, authorities arrested a former chief of the programme and two other officials on corruption charges.
On Aug 31, dozens of families filed a police complaint against the government, marking the first legal action over the programme that started in January 2025.
Early last month, about 1,700 people fell ill in four separate incidents after eating the meals, bringing the total number of cases of food poisoning to at least 57,000 since its launch.
Gerindra spokesperson Sugiat Santoso said the coalition remained strong and the programme was not intended to secure electoral gains.
“Every political party has its own targets and we respect that. Whatever their stance, related to free meals or not, supporting Prabowo or not, we respect it,” Sugiat said, adding that the National Nutrition Agency was working to improve the programme.
The National Mandate Party, one of the six parties in Prabowo’s coalition, said it remained committed to the programme.
“Any shortcomings should be addressed systematically and collectively,” said Viva Yoga Mauladi, its deputy chief.
A senior member in a second coalition party said an increasing number of voters were complaining about the programme.
“The party has asked its lawmakers to start constructive public criticism of the scheme using ‘polite language’,” the official said.
Both parties where the senior members said they planned to express their concerns publicly, said they also aimed to push the government to improve the programme. — Reuters
