CSIS Researcher Proposes Cutting Free Meal Program Days to Ease Fiscal Pressure

The Indonesian government is facing fiscal pressure, with the state budget deficit reaching Rp 240.1 trillion by the end of March 2026. In response, a researcher from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Riandy Laksono, has proposed a controversial yet potentially impactful solution: reducing the frequency of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program.

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solusi yang paling jelas sebenarnya dengan mengurangi MBG karena proyek tersebut menghabiskan anggaran jumbo.

Laksono argues that cutting the MBG program, which consumes a significant portion of the budget, is the most straightforward way to alleviate fiscal strain. However, he acknowledges the complexity of such a move, given that the program has already seen substantial investment, with approximately 90% of the planned 30,000 feeding units (SPPG) constructed and over 62.35 million beneficiaries already reached by mid-April. Drastically cutting the program would lead to considerable waste of labor and capital.

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Tetapi itu tidak mudah, karena dapur umum, yang disebut SPPG (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi), sudah dibangun. Sudah ada 27.000 unit dari target 30.000 SPPG.

Therefore, Laksono suggests a more nuanced approach: instead of complete elimination, the government could reduce the number of days the MBG is provided each week. Currently offered six days a week, the proposal is to cut it down to three or four days. This, he believes, would be more palatable than outright cancellation, especially in areas where the program is not critically needed. This targeted reduction aims to preserve the program's core function while achieving significant savings.

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Atau hanya menargetkan kelompok yang paling kekurangan gizi, atau kategori yang paling miskin, tetapi mengurangi hari-hari MBG.

This proposal comes as the Ministry of Finance is also exploring ways to optimize spending. Deputy Finance Minister Juda Agung previously stated that eliminating MBG on Saturdays alone could save around Rp 1 trillion per day, potentially amounting to Rp 4 trillion monthly or Rp 50 trillion annually. The rationale is that students do not need to attend school solely for a meal. While the CSIS proposal focuses on reducing frequency rather than elimination, it highlights the ongoing debate within Indonesia about balancing essential social programs with fiscal responsibility, a discussion often overlooked in international coverage that may not grasp the scale and socio-economic implications of such programs within the Indonesian context.

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