JAKARTA – The explanation regarding funding for the Free Nutritional Meals Program (MBG) was reiterated in an official statement between the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government. The Chairman of the DPR’s Budget Committee, Said Abdullah, confirmed the Cabinet Secretary’s statement that the MBG program neither reduces nor uses the education budget, as some have perceived.
“I agree with what Mr. Teddy, the Cabinet Secretary, said that the MBG budget was discussed and approved jointly by the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) in 2025 and 2026, as stipulated in the State Budget. All factions unanimously approved the 2025 and 2026 State Budget, which includes the MBG budget,” said Said Abdullah.
This affirmation demonstrates that the budgeting process is conducted transparently and collectively through constitutional mechanisms. The MBG is positioned as part of a broader human resource development strategy without reducing the portion of education mandated by law.
“Therefore, I and all members of the DPR are ethically and constitutionally responsible for approving the MBG budget,” Said Abdullah emphasized.
He added that the House of Representatives’ support for MBG is in line with the commitment to strengthening the quality of the younger generation through measurable and sustainable nutritional interventions.
“This program is intended as an intervention to improve children’s nutrition, and we support it. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have approved it in the state budget,” added Said Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya emphasized that the education budget remains at 20 percent of the APBN in accordance with constitutional provisions and has not been reduced due to the MBG program.
“So, the education budget is 20 percent of the state budget. Well, this year, it’s Rp 769.1 trillion, that’s 20 percent. And that’s the education budget. What is the education budget? It’s extensive. It contains everything, and it’s intended use,” said Teddy Indra Wijaya.
He ensured that all spending components had been discussed and agreed upon with the DPR, including in the Budget Agency forum.
“And the contents, the allocation of which was agreed upon last year by the government, the DPR, and the DPR Budget Agency,” said Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Furthermore, MBG is referred to as a supporting program that strengthens the foundation of education by improving the nutritional status of students.
“And all of those things, including the MBG, are the initial foundation for improving education in the future,” concluded Teddy Indra Wijaya.
With this affirmation, the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) ensure that the MBG will proceed without reducing the education budget, while also strengthening their commitment to improving the quality of the nation’s next generation. (*)