Jakarta – Allegations regarding the misuse of education funds to finance the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) have been confirmed as unfounded. Following reviews and clarifications from various relevant parties, no evidence has been found indicating that education funds were diverted to support the implementation of the program. The government has emphasized that the education budget allocation remains in accordance with its designated purpose and has not been reduced due to the implementation of MBG.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti assured that the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has not eroded the education budget within the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. All strategic programs continue to run and are even being further strengthened.
“If there is an assumption that MBG reduces the education budget, we firmly state that it is not true. The President’s program is being implemented as effectively as possible,” he said.
Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, also stated that education funds within the state budget are not being used to finance the operational costs of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) project. His statement was delivered in response to a judicial review of Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the State Budget, which was submitted to the Constitutional Court by an honorary teacher along with three university students and the Taman Belajar Nusantara Foundation.
According to Lalu, Commission X of the DPR, which serves as the working partner of the Ministry of Education, has not found any evidence that education funds have been allocated to implement MBG.
“We know that the education budget has not been taken by MBG,” Lalu said.
He also dismissed claims that teachers’ welfare issues were caused by the diversion of education funds to finance President Prabowo Subianto’s priority program. He expressed confidence that the constitutionally mandated 20 percent allocation of the State Budget for education remains intact, including allocations for improving educators’ welfare. Therefore, he urged the government to utilize the available funds to enhance teachers’ well-being.
“Since we already know that it is not true (that education funds are used for MBG), this substantial budget should be directed toward teachers’ welfare. That is what we are currently encouraging,” Lalu explained.
Lalu further noted that MBG, which had been planned long before its implementation by President Prabowo, must already have had a well-prepared budgetary scheme. Although the primary beneficiaries of MBG are school students, the program does not encroach upon education allocations.
“To this day, it has not been proven that MBG has taken even a single rupiah from the education budget,” Lalu stated.
The government has urged the public to be more cautious in receiving and disseminating information, especially regarding public policies and state finances. Official clarifications and verifiable data should serve as the primary references before drawing conclusions.
Thus, it can be firmly stated that allegations of education funds being used for the Free Nutritious Meals Program are unproven. The education budget continues to operate as intended, while MBG is implemented through its own dedicated financing scheme. Moving forward, more intensive public communication is expected to prevent similar misunderstandings and to strengthen public trust in the management of government policies and state finances. (*)
