<![CDATA[The growth of participatory digital culture has transformed how citizens interpret and respond to public policies. Internet memes have become communicative tools for expressing criticism, negotiating meanings, and shaping collective interpretations of governance. However, their role in shaping perceptions of welfare policies, particularly in non-Western contexts, remains underexplored. This study examines how Instagram memes construct public narratives and policy perceptions surrounding Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). Using a qualitative narrative-oriented approach, 32 memes were selected through purposive sampling based on their relevance to MBG discussions and visible engagement. The analysis examined external references, internal narratives, communicative tones, narrative targets, and recurring scenarios. Five dominant narratives emerged: fiscal burden and budget anxiety, institutional distrust, policy misprioritization, implementation failure, and political symbolism. Rather than emphasizing nutritional objectives, the memes predominantly frame MBG through concerns about governance, budget allocation, institutional competence, and accountability. The coexistence of fiscal anxiety and institutional distrust suggests that perceptions of MBG are closely associated with policy legitimacy and state capacity. These findings highlight meme circulation as an informal space where citizens negotiate trust, legitimacy, and acceptance of welfare policies. By examining memes as narrative mechanisms rather than merely humorous content, this study contributes to research on digital political communication, public narratives, and policy perception in networked societies.]]>
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