Jakarta, Aug. 2 -- Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated that an important way to realize independence is by freeing people from hunger and poverty, which currently remain major challenges for Indonesia.

"The challenge ahead is how to fulfill independence by freeing the people from hunger," he remarked at the National Prayer for Indonesia's 80th Independence Anniversary at Proclamation Park here on Friday.

He remarked that President Prabowo Subianto had interpreted independence holistically through various strategic programs aimed at improving the quality of Indonesia's human resources, including through the provision of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).

"We often hear President Prabowo's statement on various occasions that inde...