The Indonesian government is reviewing a proposal to increase mining fees to secure funding for its free meal program. The plan involves applying higher fees to major mineral extraction companies mining coal, nickel, and copper, and is also considering imposing additional taxes on refined products. While this would contribute to increased government revenue, concerns have been raised about potential declines in the mining industry's competitiveness and supply reductions. Indonesia plans to provide free meals to approximately 90 million people by 2029, requiring substantial budget allocation, with existing infrastructure projects being scaled back to accommodate this initiative.
