Indonesia: Free meal program budget may shrink if education funds are protected

The budget for Indonesia's free nutritious meal program (MBG) in 2027 is projected to be between Rp40-50 trillion if funds are not diverted from the education sector, according to Charles Honoris, Deputy Speaker of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR).

While the total budget for the MBG program in 2027 has not yet been finalized, the indicative ceiling stands at Rp268 trillion. Honoris explained that if this figure remains, only Rp40-50 trillion would be left outside the education cluster. This statement comes in response to the Constitutional Court's (MK) ruling that prohibits the MBG program's budget from being sourced from education funds. The MK has mandated that this ruling take effect no later than 2028.

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But if it remains Rp268 trillion, then the remainder will only be around Rp40 or Rp50 trillion that is not in the education cluster, you know. So, we cannot confirm that yet.

Honoris, a politician from the PDIP party, indicated that efforts are being made to ensure the MK's decision is implemented by 2027. He noted that the proposed indicative budget for the MBG in 2027 has not yet been officially approved. Commission IX supports a review of the program's budget to enhance efficiency and prevent past instances of "reckless spending," such as the procurement of large quantities of motorcycles at inflated prices.

The MK's ruling stated that education funds in the state budget can no longer be used for the MBG program. The court determined that the MBG program does not constitute a primary component of education and must be separated from the operational budget for educational institutions. This decision, outlined in ruling number 40/PUU-XXIV/2026, was initiated by the Yayasan Taman Belajar Nusantara, which argued that using education funds for the MBG program violated Article 31(4) of the 1945 Constitution, mandating at least 20% of the state budget be allocated to education.

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Because we also certainly do not want to see again what happened in the previous period, reckless spending, right. Spending on motorcycles in large quantities, not targeted, even the prices were indicated to be incredibly marked up.