Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Yan Mandenas, a House of Representatives (DPR) member representing Papua, urged students not to be provoked by claims about the Free Nutritious Meal program. 

He clarified on Tuesday (19/2/2025) that the program is fully funded by the state budget and that demands for free education are addressed through the Papua Special Autonomy Fund, according to antaranews.com.

Mandenas cited Law No. 2/2021, which allocates at least 30% of the Papua Special Autonomy Fund funds for education, with each regency receiving a minimum of Rp 140 billion annually. 

“There’s no excuse for local leaders not to fund free education for indigenous Papuan students from early childhood to high school,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Mandenas stressed that the free meal program aims to improve children’s nutrition, ensuring better growth and future contributions to Papua. He also encouraged the public to report local officials who misuse the Papua Special Autonomy Fund fund usage for education, pledging to advocate for regulatory revisions if necessary.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)