Secretary-General Gerindra described the free lunch program launched by Prabowo as a social charity.

Jakarta, VIVA – Gerindra Party Secretary General Ahmed Muzani said the free nutritious lunch programme launched by presidential candidate-elect Prabowo Subianto was a form of social charity.

“Social charity from the government, the politician gives lunch to all Indonesian children,” Muzani said at the opening of the National Leaders Meeting (Rapimnas) I of the Great Indonesian Muslim Movement (Gemira) in Jakarta, Saturday, September 21, 2024.

According to Muzani, this is an example of religion and politics that should always go hand in hand, as quoted by General President Jemira Moch. Irfan Yusuf (Gus Irfan) from Al-Mawardi’s thoughts during the event’s opening speech.

“This is what Ghus Irfan said, Al-Mawardi said in Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya, that politicians without religion wither, but politicians who have enough understanding of religion become stronger and more inclusive.”

Muzani said providing free nutritious lunches to schoolchildren was one of the programs Prabowo-Gibran will prioritize after his official inauguration as president and vice president on Oct. 20, 2024.

He said the program is no joke because it involves some 82 million schoolchildren who receive free nutritious lunches every day.

“This is not a joke, providing nutritious food to children in schools, high schools, middle schools, primary schools and even kindergartens, including madrasa aliya, sunawiya and primary schools, including Islamic boarding schools.”

Muzani also reminded Rapimnas participants that Prabowo’s election as President of the Republic of Indonesia was not the end of the struggle.

“The election of Pak Prabowo as president does not mean that the struggle is over because our struggle is still long and we will support it and continue with this belief until Pak Prabowo is declared president of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.

Rapimnas I Gemira was held for two days on September 21 and 22 in Jakarta. Gemira General President Mokh was also present at the opening ceremony. Irfan Yusuf (Gus Irfan), Secretary General of Gemira Sudarto, Deputy Minister of Religion Saiful Rahmat Dasuki, Gemira administrators and members, as well as employees of public organizations (ORMAS). (ANT)