Fact Check: Indonesia Continues Social Assistance Amid Free Meals Program Funding

Claims circulating on Facebook that the Indonesian government has eliminated social assistance and social security programs to fund the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) project have been debunked. The posts alleged that programs such as Direct Cash Assistance (BLT), the Family Hope Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), Social Security Agency (BPJS) coverage, the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), and the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) were all cut.

However, fact-checking by Tempo reveals that the government continues to allocate significant funds for social assistance. The total budget for social protection programs in 2026 is set at Rp508.2 trillion, an 8.6 percent increase compared to the 2025 budget. This budget is divided into components for basic needs, education, and healthcare services combined with community empowerment.

Specific allocations include Rp6.5 trillion for BLT for 1.8 million families, Rp28.7 trillion for PKH for 10 million families, and Rp43.8 trillion for BPNT for 18.3 million families. The BPJS contribution subsidy program aims to cover 96.8 million families with a budget of Rp15.5 trillion. Funds for KIP and PIP for students are also allocated.

While the MBG project does draw a substantial budget from the State Budget, the Constitutional Court ruled in July 2026 that its budget must be separated from the education budget starting in 2028. The government also faced scrutiny for deactivating 11 million PBI BPJS participants in February 2026, affecting dialysis patients.

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The social protection program budget for 2026 is set at Rp508.2 trillion. This represents an increase of Rp40.1 trillion, or 8.6 percent, compared to the 2025 budget of Rp468.1 trillion.