Prabowo Subianto has given his government an "OK" rating. (Supplied: Press and Media Bureau Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia)
Several of Jakarta's main roads were closed and hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets as Indonesia celebrated its 81st Independence Day.
The centrepiece was the United Harmony of the Archipelago Carnival, featuring 32 floats representing government ministries and agencies.
President Prabowo Subianto watched as government achievements were read out.
As the National Nutrition Agency's float passed by, an announcer praised the government's flagship Free Nutritious Meals program.
"Over the past one and a half years of the Free Nutritious Meals program, the National Nutrition Agency has reached 56.9 million beneficiaries, operates more than 27,000 kitchens and has created jobs for 1.3 million people."
The same program has faced widespread criticism for poor oversight, questionable food sourcing and unhygienic kitchen conditions.
The key election commitment of President Prabowo Subianto is facing mounting backlash over its poor oversight, questionable food sourcing and unhygienic kitchens.
While floats rolled down the road, many questioned the Independence Day celebrations and the decision to stage a major event so soon after one of the country's deadliest disasters in recent years.
Others argued money spent on the festivities should have gone towards earthquake relief.
NGO Indonesian Corruption Watch found more than Rp300 million ($24,000) was spent on doves that were released during celebrations at Jakarta's State Palace, while local media reported Rp22 billion ($1.7 million) was spent on goodie bags for people attending the palace.
Critics said it stood in stark contrast to Mr Prabowo's calls to limit budget waste.
Indonesia's Communications Office rejected the criticism, saying the celebrations were a display of national dignity and it was unfair to judge the spending solely on the basis of budget efficiency.
Ten days before the celebrations, Mr Prabowo had already handed down his own assessment of the government's performance.
The centrepiece of Indonesia's independence celebrations was a parade of floats representing government ministries and agencies. (Supplied: Press and Media Bureau Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia)
