The administration has not been immune to criticism, especially regarding policy blunders made by ministers in the face of the government’s efforts to cut budget spending and the decline in consumer purchasing power. 

The administration’s performance is seen as ineffective, with several programs showing a lack of clear planning and execution on the ground.

In the area of rule of law, democracy, and constitutional law, Dr. Hendry Noor Julian, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Law (FH UGM), raised concerns about the weakening of the government’s check-and-balance system. 

He referenced Donald Black’s theory from The Behavior of Law, which states that political proximity can cause laws to lose force. 

This refers to the dominance of coalitions in parliament, which could reduce the effectiveness of oversight over government policies. 

“Instead of acting as a control mechanism, the executive-legislative relationship now tends to be more of a partnership,” Dr. Julian explained during the Pojok Bulaksumur Discussion titled “From Promises to Actions: 100 Days of the Prabowo-Gibran Administration,” held in the central corridor of UGM’s Central Office, Friday (Feb. 7).

At the beginning of his administration, Dr. Julian noted that Prabowo’s idea of forgiving corrupt officials drew significant criticism and backlash. From a legal standpoint, a person’s status as a corrupt official must be based on a final legal ruling. 

If mechanisms allow corrupt officials to be freed after returning state funds, it could lead to numerous issues, particularly in terms of law enforcement and justice. 

“Given the current legal and institutional systems, I’m not even confident that more than 20 percent of this policy will succeed,” Dr. Julian remarked.

From a political and governance perspective, Dr. Mada Sukmajati of UGM’s Department of Politics and Government noted that the promises outlined in Asta Cita—the eight priority programs of the Prabowo-Gibran administration—have yet to materialize. 

He mentioned several programs, such as free nutritious lunches, free health check-ups, and the development of excellent schools, that still lack clear planning and execution. 

“If we’re talking about well-designed programs with quick results, the designs should have been clear within these 100 days. But the reality is that the implementation is still partial, and in some aspects, we don’t even know how the mechanisms work,” Dr. Sukmajati added.

Despite the limited policy achievements, Dr. Sukmajati also questioned the high public satisfaction levels with the Prabowo-Gibran administration. 

“An approval rating of 80 percent raises significant questions. Is it because the public remains optimistic about the government, or were the surveys conducted under certain conditions that skewed the results?” Dr. Sukmajati explained.

UGM economist Dr. Yudistira Hendra Permana also scrutinized the administration’s debt relief policy for MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen. He saw it as more of a desperate measure than a long-term solution to improving the economy. 

“Is this a step to stimulate economic growth, or does it signal that the government has run out of options?” he asked.

Dr. Permana also addressed budget cuts in various sectors due to the growing fiscal deficit and policies that fail to consider long-term economic sustainability.

Furthermore, Dr. Permana commented that the administration’s target of achieving 8% economic growth was overly ambitious, given the ongoing global economic slowdown. 

In fact, over the past few months, Indonesia’s economic growth has faced deflationary pressures. 

“Reaching 8% growth in the next five years seems unrealistic without concrete strategies and more structured economic policies,” he said.

Answering reporters’ questions about the political context, Dr. Sukmajati noted that the Prabowo-Gibran administration is still seeking balance in power dynamics and oligarchic interests. 

The relationship between the ruling elite and business interests is undergoing a reconfiguration, with both past and new economic-political networks negotiating dominance over current government policies.

Dr. Sukmajati also commented on President Prabowo’s reliance on military networks to support government programs. 

He believed this choice was logical, as the limited political and bureaucratic networks meant the military became the primary tool for distributing priority programs, such as free school lunches. 

“However, this approach could also pose challenges for law and democracy,” he noted.

Experts view this tradition of evaluating the administration’s first 100 days as an important moment to assess the initial steps of government policies. 

While it is not the ultimate measure of a government’s success, the first 100 days often indicate the direction of policies and the commitment of leaders to fulfilling campaign promises. Therefore, the public and the media are expected to continue monitoring key programs to ensure they bring real benefits to the people’s welfare.

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This research revealed that tea bags made from plastic materials have the potential to release millions of microplastic particles into the body. 

The reason is that when polymer-based tea bags are placed in hot water, the microplastic particles released can be absorbed by intestinal cells and enter the bloodstream.

Rafika Aprilianti, a microplastic researcher at the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton), presented this discovery on Monday (Feb. 3). 

Five widely available tea bag products were also tested, all of which released microplastics when brewed.

Responding to these findings, Dr. Annisa Utami Rauf, a lecturer in the Department of Health Behavior, Environment, and Social Medicine, UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), stated that these results do not mean tea bags should immediately be banned. 

According to her, no established regulations specifying the acceptable level of microplastics in tea bags exist. Even the hanging string of the tea bag contains microplastic fragments. 

“To my knowledge, there is no established standard level. So, we don’t know, for example, if drinking it several times is harmful or if one drink is dangerous. However, microplastics are considered emerging contaminants,” she said.

For consumers who enjoy tea bags but are concerned about microplastics, she suggested switching to brewed tea filtered with a strainer or using loose-leaf tea.

To address the microplastic issue in tea bag products, she emphasized the importance of informing the public that tea bags indeed contain microplastics. 

“We first need to educate people about this issue, that the content does exist. Once they know, we can recommend that they should not consume it too frequently,” she explained.

Additionally, she suggested that there should be education for the public to raise awareness about microplastics. 

“Microplastics are actually present in every component, such as minerals and soil. However, tea bags enter the digestive system directly, and we don’t know the long-term effects. That’s what makes it dangerous because not all fragments can be excreted from the body,” Dr. Rauf said.

Nonetheless, she mentioned that not all tea bags are made from plastic; some are made from paper, which does not produce microplastics compared to plastic-based tea bags. In light of these findings, she recommended that the public be more mindful in selecting daily products, including tea bags. 

“It’s best to switch to paper tea bags or other environmentally friendly materials to reduce microplastic exposure,” she advised.

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This policy is based on an agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Health of Indonesia. 

Vice Dean of the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), Dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, responded positively to this government initiative. 

“Of course, we at UGM welcome this policy. As the team is still being formed, we hope for a synchronized and harmonious collaboration,” Dr. Sadewa said on Friday (Feb. 7).

He acknowledged that the design for this joint selection process is not easy and still requires various plans. Therefore, FK-KMK UGM is still awaiting an official directive regarding the joint selection, meaning that the PPDS admission scheduled for March will still use each university’s respective scheme.

The joint selection policy for PPDS aims to increase the number of specialist doctors while also addressing their distribution across all regions of Indonesia. 

This effort has actually been underway since 2022 through several programs, such as increasing the student quota for undergraduate and specialist doctoral programs and adding new study programs. 

The specialist and subspecialist doctor programs have produced 4,000 graduates annually. Unfortunately, this number is still insufficient to meet the demand for specialist doctors in several regions. 

“The issue of equitable distribution is quite complex. It’s not just about PPDS, but also how to get specialist doctors to work in the regions,” Dr. Sadewa explained.

The affirmative pathway for program admission is a policy introduced to address the shortage of specialist doctors. Each region is allocated a minimum quota of 10%, prioritized for affirmative specialist doctor admissions. 

“This is aimed so that after graduation, they can return to work in their home regions,” he explained.

However, according to Dr. Sadewa, this policy has not fully resolved the issue of the shortage of specialist doctors. 

He added that most doctors tend to move to the cities after graduating and working for a few years in the regions. The low retention rate of specialist doctors is due to several factors, including infrastructure, incentives, and security issues. 

“Many are reluctant to continue working in the regions due to limited access, inadequate incentives, and security threats. These aspects are essential for doctors to work optimally,” Dr. Sadewa concluded.

He suggested that the government should consider security guarantees and complete medical facilities in regional healthcare services. 

Regarding the flow and aspects of competence tested in PPDS, Dr. Sadewa proposed adding assessments beyond general knowledge. He believes it is important for doctors to have good mental health stability in handling patients. 

“I think it would be useful to add tests to assess mental health and attitude, not just basic competencies. That’s important,” Dr. Sadewa added.

He also recommended two admission pathways for PPDS: joint selection and independent admission. Adding a new admission pathway would be easier than replacing the existing system. 

“Currently, many universities still need to work on opening new study programs specifically for specialist/subspecialist doctors,” he said.

Dr. Sadewa stated that FK-KMK UGM supports the establishment of specialist and subspecialist education at several universities. 

Among other things, UGM assisted in opening a neurology study program at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman and an internal medicine study program at Universitas Islam Sultan Agung. 

“At FK-KMK UGM, we also assist several universities in establishing specialist doctor programs. This effort is to ensure it can be carried out together,” he concluded.

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At the end of January, 13 junior high school students from SMPN 7 Mojokerto were swept away by waves at Drini Beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, resulting in the death of four students. 

Shortly after, a traffic accident occurred involving high school students from SMAN 1 Porong Sidoarjo at the Purwodadi toll exit on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, claiming two lives and injuring 19 others. 

Numerous similar accidents at tourist sites or en route to destinations have led to fatalities.

Dr. Destha Titi Raharjana, a researcher at UGM’s Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar UGM), expressed concern over these incidents. 

According to him, recreational activities meant to bring joy and rejuvenation instead ended in tragedy. 

While accidents are unpredictable, he believes they can be mitigated through vigilance and prioritizing safety to reduce the risk of accidents. 

“These incidents could have been prevented if all parties had consistently applied safety protocols (SOP) and maintained control,” he stated at UGM Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Dr. Raharjana emphasized that tourism operators should be most familiar with their environments, facilities, and attractions. 

All equipment should be in optimal condition and closely monitored, with regular safety checks. 

“Tourism and recreation service providers should professionally and consistently implement SOPs to minimize risks,” he added.

Dr. Raharjana also highlighted that tourists should feel assured of the safety of all facilities when purchasing tickets, even if insurance is included. 

He recommended that operators display safety reminders and continuously urge visitors to be cautious, especially during peak times when crowd surges may cause people to neglect safety measures.

He advised tourists to be extra cautious at outdoor destinations such as Drini Beach, especially during the rainy season. 

Visitors to water-related attractions should familiarize themselves with the location’s characteristics. 

“Being prepared and responsible for one’s own safety is key. Schools should also remind students to be careful, and knowledge of potential wave hazards should be sought or provided to tourists. The strong waves and deep trenches along the southern coast of Java should be taken seriously,” he warned.

Dr. Raharjana also expressed concern over road accidents involving tourists, such as the recent incident in Pasuruan. 

He noted that various factors, including vehicle issues and human error, contribute to these accidents. 

To prevent such incidents, he urged travel agencies to ensure vehicles are well-maintained and safe for passengers. 

“Vehicles must undergo regular safety checks, and all paperwork should be in order,” he explained.

He also called on government authorities, particularly the Transportation Department, to regularly inspect bus companies and assess their vehicles. 

“If any vehicles are found unfit, travel agencies have the right to request newer or safer vehicles,” he added.

Lastly, Dr. Raharjana emphasized the importance of regular health checks for drivers to ensure they are fit to operate vehicles. 

“A driver’s familiarity with the road is crucial for safety, as experienced drivers are generally more cautious. It’s essential for each driver to understand and learn the road conditions,” he concluded.

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If not executed carefully, it could impact the national economy by lowering public purchasing power, creating investment uncertainty, limiting job creation, and reducing labor productivity.

Dr. Akhmad Akbar Susamto, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), warned the government about the macroeconomic effects of these budget cuts. 

He emphasized that cutting funds, especially in productive sectors like essential infrastructure, education, and health, could hinder long-term economic growth. 

“These sectors have a significant multiplier effect on the economy. If budget cuts are not done selectively, they can negatively affect public investment, job creation, and labor productivity,” Dr. Susamto said on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

In addition to economic growth, social stability and public welfare may also be impacted. 

Social programs related to protection, subsidies, or assistance for vulnerable groups should not be the main targets for budget cuts. 

“If cuts are too aggressive in these sectors, public purchasing power could decline, reducing domestic consumption and slowing economic recovery,” he explained.

Dr. Susamto noted that if the economic recovery slows, the sustainability of fiscal policy will heavily influence investor perceptions of investing in Indonesia. 

Therefore, budget cuts should be accompanied by clear strategies to maintain economic stability. 

“We must avoid creating uncertainty among businesses. Investors and the private sector need reassurance that the government remains committed to policies that support economic growth,” he stated.

Dr. Susamto agreed that the current budget cuts under the Prabowo-Gibran administration are necessary to maintain economic stability. 

Budget reductions for fiscal efficiency are understandable, especially in light of the unhealthy fiscal situation due to large deficits and increased funding needs for priority programs like MBG and to avoid excessive pressure on government debt.

However, he cautioned that the policy must be implemented carefully to avoid reducing the national economy’s long-term capacity. 

“What’s more important is ensuring that every rupiah of the available budget is used optimally to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he concluded.

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She, along with other entrepreneurs in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), had just received halal certification for their products. 

“I’m happy that my business is now halal certified,” said Susanti, who runs a traditional snack business in Yogyakarta.

As one of the 100 MSME entrepreneurs receiving halal certification, Susanti expressed her gratitude, saying the program greatly helped MSMEs obtain halal certification. 

“Nowadays, halal certification is like a brand, so it’s very important for us.”

The same joy was visible on Ramiyanti’s face. 

The district office initially offered her and her community of MSME entrepreneurs in Sendangadi the opportunity to join the certification process. 

Afterward, they received direct assistance until they were certified. 

Now, Ramiyanti’s chip products are halal certified, giving her greater confidence in selling her products. 

“I hope this will make consumers trust MSME products more, leading to increased sales,” said Ramiyanti.

The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) organized the halal certificate handover event in collaboration with UGM’s Halal Examination Institute (LPH UGM), LPH UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and the Indonesian Halal Product Process Assistance Agency (LPPPH) Edukasi Wakaf Indonesia.

Professor Abdul Rohman, representing LPPT UGM, stated that this program reflects UGM’s commitment to promoting and fostering a halal product ecosystem in society. 

LPH UGM aims to support entrepreneurs in providing local and international halal assurance to customers. 

“Ensuring your product is halal is the first step before competing with other products in the future,” Professor Rohman emphasized.

Haikal Hassan, Head of BPJPH, also shared this enthusiasm. 

He stressed the importance of supporting local products in obtaining halal certification. 

“We are ranked eighth in halal product production, still behind several countries, even though we have the highest consumption of halal products. This means we consume many imported products, which is a challenge for us to address,” the Head of BPJPH, also known as Babe Haikal, said.

He praised the certification handover as a positive step. 

He cited Australia and the United States, which have already implemented halal certification for their products. 

He observed that contemporary consumer preferences, including the demand for plant-based and ethically sourced animal products, align closely with halal values. 

He urged entrepreneurs to be trustworthy in their practices. 

“Since this is a responsibility, you are obliged to ensure that your products remain free from any haram elements so consumers can be guaranteed products that are compliant, safe, and secure,” he concluded.

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Some believe removing the threshold would ensure representation for all parties in parliament.

Meanwhile, others, including those in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), argue that having more parties could negatively affect the effectiveness of parliamentary work.

Alfath Bagus Panuntun, an expert on politics and government from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), highlighted that the debate centers on two main aspects: democratic inclusivity and government effectiveness.

Panuntun explained that proponents of removing the threshold argue that the votes of smaller parties that fail to reach the 4% threshold are wasted and left unrepresented in parliament. 

“If we calculate it, the votes discarded from smaller parties could reach a significant percentage,” he said on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025.

On the other hand, Panuntun acknowledged the concerns of those in the DPR who opposed the removal. 

He noted that a higher number of parties would make managing diverse political interests more challenging, potentially affecting the effectiveness of DPR operations. 

“More parties would increase the workload related to faction management, task distribution, and overall DPR performance,” he explained.

Panuntun pointed out that the 4% threshold is not arbitrary but a compromise between democratic inclusivity and government effectiveness. 

“Previously, the threshold was 3.5%, but it was raised to 4% in the 2017 Electoral Law revision. This figure aims to balance political representation with governmental stability,” he said.

He argued that maintaining or even increasing the parliamentary threshold could help clarify party ideologies. 

“With a higher threshold, political parties need to have clear ideologies and programs. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to differentiate one party from another,” Panuntun added.

However, Panuntun noted that the general public does not place much importance on the threshold itself. 

“What matters is that the DPR functions properly, remains open to criticism, and genuinely works for the people,” he stated.

He emphasized that the DPR’s effectiveness should be a top priority. 

The legislative process and government oversight could run more smoothly with fewer, more structured parties. 

“We must avoid a situation where the system serves the interests of politicians rather than the people,” he stressed.

In conclusion, Panuntun reiterated that every policy has its pros and cons. 

However, in the context of Indonesia, he believes it is better to maintain or even raise the parliamentary threshold to improve government effectiveness. 

“This policy should be based on the current needs of the public. If we want an effective DPR, then the current threshold should be maintained or increased,” he concluded.

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Universities are expected to contribute to achieving energy security, a fundamental pillar of national sustainable development, through research and development.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Airlangga Hartarto conveyed this during a talk show titled The Role and Opportunities of Universities in the Downstream Agenda and Achieving Energy Security. 

The event took place on Tuesday (Feb. 4) at the SGLC Building Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM).

Dr. Hartarto emphasized that the government considers downstream efforts essential across various commodities, from mining products and agricultural goods to developing new and renewable energy. 

He also highlighted the role and contributions of universities in the national downstream agenda, particularly through curriculum adjustments, the development of vocational programs, and the formation of graduates equipped with the latest technological expertise.

“We must have mastery in downstream, including expertise in electric vehicle technology, microcontroller design, IC engineering, and semiconductor devices,” he stated.

To support downstream, Dr. Hartarto noted that breakthroughs in higher education policies are necessary to ensure equitable access to education for all Indonesians. 

This includes expanding scholarship opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We must encourage young Indonesians to pursue studies related to downstream, both domestically and abroad,” he asserted.

Equally important, he added, is fostering collaboration between universities and stakeholders at both national and international levels. 

This collaboration should be accompanied by research development in technologies that support downstream and energy security.

Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza pointed out that many industries in Indonesia struggle to benefit from downstream due to inadequate gas supplies, necessitating government intervention. 

This condition weakens industrial competitiveness compared to other countries.

“We need to ensure an adequate energy supply to strengthen industrial competitiveness,” he explained.

The talk show moderator, Professor Tumiran, emphasized that universities can play a crucial role in advancing the national downstream agenda and achieving energy security, ultimately supporting Indonesia’s economic growth target of 8%.

“The key question is: What strategy should we adopt to drive 8% economic growth? What is the roadmap? I believe downstream is the answer—to optimize our mineral resources through knowledge and skills transformation, enabling the nation to generate maximum added value,” he concluded.

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This is exemplified by the achievements of two of its alumni, Gerry Utama and Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, who successfully explored Antarctica for international research missions.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia praised the two researchers’ accomplishments during a meeting on Monday (Feb. 2). 

She believes that the work of Dr. Nugroho and Gerry, as they are commonly called, will motivate other scientists in Indonesia. 

Professor Emilia stated that their success proves that Indonesia, particularly UGM, possesses human resources that are on par with those of other developed nations. She promised to encourage UGM’s involvement in further research and policies related to Antarctica. 

“Research is always dynamic. I think there will be a need for a laboratory or an Antarctic Study Center that we can develop because there’s great potential in this field. If we can contribute positively to the nation and the world, UGM will support it,” said Professor Emilia.

Regarding the Antarctic Treaty System, which 58 countries have signed, Professor Emilia acknowledged that much coordination is still required with the Indonesian government officials. 

The Antarctic Treaty is an important instrument for a country to actively participate in extensive exploration of Antarctica. 

Although Indonesia has yet to declare its readiness to sign the Antarctic Treaty, Professor Emilia stated that UGM is always prepared to support the process. 

“We need to speak directly with the government, and we will present the good points, what UGM has already done, and what needs to be prepared,” explained the rector.

Professor Emilia highlighted that UGM’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty is part of the university’s effort to continuously contribute to global research that directly impacts environmental sustainability and climate change. 

By supporting the participation of Indonesian students and researchers in international scientific expeditions, UGM plays a crucial role in strengthening Indonesia’s position in managing the Antarctic region. 

“We want to raise awareness about the importance of Antarctica as an area that requires serious attention from the entire international community,” she concluded.

Gerry, an alumnus of UGM’s Faculty of Geography, became the first Indonesian and ASEAN citizen to participate in the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) from February to July 2024 while pursuing his Master’s in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

During the expedition, Gerry researched geomorphology and paleogeography to reconstruct a new atlas of Russia’s King George Island. Gerry’s research is particularly significant in the context of global climate change, which is currently a major concern worldwide. 

“Aside from wood fossils, I also mapped moss with varying colors. This serves as an important indicator in understanding the climate dynamics in Antarctica and the world,” he emphasized.

Gerry (31), who became the youngest researcher in Indonesia’s mission to Antarctica, recounted that he and his team discovered a massive iceberg three days after the ship landed.

If reconstructed, the release of such a large iceberg from the ice sheet also indicates faster ice melt, which could disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems and pose greater threats to coastal habitats. 

“Indonesia should be more aware of this phenomenon since our country is largely composed of seas. Therefore, signing the Antarctic Treaty should be a priority,” he added.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan (43), a lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), participated in the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) from 2016 to 2017. 

During the expedition, he conducted research on the evolution of the Antarctic continent through the petrology study of methanol rocks, which are aged between 2.5 billion and 500 million years.

Dr. Nugroho successfully published seven international journals from his Antarctic mission, contributing to the global development of geological studies. 

Dr. Nugroho also brought home rock samples with a honeycomb structure, which he found in Antarctica, and has donated them to the UGM Biology Museum and the Bandung Geological Museum.

The first Indonesian geologist to research the Antarctic continent explained that Antarctica is a terra incognita, or land largely unknown to humans, so the research conducted there will undoubtedly provide important insights, especially in earth sciences. 

Echoing Gerry, Dr. Nugroho hopes the Indonesian government will pay more attention to natural phenomena occurring in Antarctica. 

“We must remember that Indonesia and Antarctica are not separate; we share the same summit ground. So, I believe it’s quite important for Indonesia to get involved in strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change to prepare for potential future scenarios,” he emphasized.

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Artikel UGM Ready to Encourage Indonesia’s Participation in Antarctic Treaty pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Issues have arisen regarding budget allocation, menu choices, and the readiness of catering providers. 

Addressing these concerns, Dr. Revrisond Baswir, a senior economist from UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), stated that this program is an extraordinary breakthrough that should have been started long ago. 

“The nutritious meal program is an extraordinary breakthrough in my view. Why? Because it asserts that the essence of development is human development,” he said during an interview at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Dr. Baswir further explained that development should not be separated from people, as many often think that development and people are unrelated.

But in reality, they go hand in hand and influence each other.

From an economic standpoint, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia clearly mandates that the nation carry out what is referred to as economic democratization.

Therefore, the people should be positioned as subjects, not merely objects, within the Indonesian economy. 

Operationally, this means that people as subjects must have access to means of production and capital to support economic growth. 

“In Indonesia, it’s not enough for the people to just be workers,” he clarified.

Dr. Baswir identified three types of capital that people should possess:  intellectual, institutional, and material capital. 

These should be fulfilled sequentially, starting with intellectual capital, which can be cultivated through the nutritious meal program. 

Furthermore, he added, this program can empower people, especially those in regions outside the capital. Indonesia’s varied regional conditions cannot be treated the same.

Dr. Baswir believes that the free nutritious meals program can lead to decentralization, where local governments manage the program based on their region’s specific conditions. 

This would allow the circulation of money to stay within the regions, helping to balance the local economy. 

Additionally, this opens up opportunities to empower local communities by recruiting people through cooperation, volunteerism, and various job opportunities related to the program. 

However, he emphasized that this program should not burden the people or local budgets. 

“Don’t just shift the responsibility to the regions because (they) don’t have the funds. The program is significant, and some are worried—what is the maximum allocation limit?” Dr. Baswir asked.

The economist, who is also the former head of UGM’s Center for People’s Economy Studies, urged the government to save money, avoid wastefulness, and be more selective in spending. 

The government should find ways to increase revenue to fund the program without resorting to borrowing or cutting other budget areas that would burden the people. 

“The people should not become the victims. The challenge is to provide nutritious meals at an affordable cost,” he added.

One cost-saving measure the government could take is dissolving unnecessary institutions, particularly within the government. 

He said many of these institutions are not essential but continue to receive funding that could be better allocated to this program.

Finally, he reminded the public that sovereignty lies in the hands of the people. Citizens should not remain passive about government policies, as their voices are essential in a country that belongs to them. 

“People often feel like beggars in the economic field, but it’s their right. This program is part of their basic human rights, not just political and social rights,” he emphasized.

According to him, the program is not an act of government charity but rather a fulfillment of the people’s basic human rights. Therefore, he hopes that the people will become more aware of their role and actively participate by voicing their opinions and ideas.

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