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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Indonesia's 'Free Nutritious Meals' program budget slashed for 2026, potential for further cuts

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Indonesia's budget for the "Free Nutritious Meals" (MBG) program for 2026 has been cut to Rp 229 trillion, down from Rp 268 trillion.
  • The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) stated the budget may be reduced further as they refine program management and recipient focus.
  • President Prabowo Subianto has directed the program to be implemented with higher quality, prioritizing remote areas (3T) and focusing on data-driven recipient refinement.

Indonesia's budget for the "Free Nutritious Meals" (MBG) program has been significantly reduced for 2026, now standing at Rp 229 trillion, down from an initial Rp 268 trillion. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) revealed this cut, noting that the figure is still provisional and could potentially decrease further. This reduction comes as the agency undertakes efforts to improve program management and refine the focus of its beneficiaries.

For now, for 2026, we have also had budget efficiencies, from Rp 268 trillion it became Rp 229 trillion, temporarily.

— Lili KhamiliyahThe Secretary of BGN explained the current budget status for the Free Nutritious Meals program.

Lili Khamiliyah, Secretary of BGN, explained that the agency has already undergone budget efficiencies. The current Rp 229 trillion is a temporary figure after an initial reduction from Rp 268 trillion. Deputy Head of BGN, Agustina Arumsari, added that the Rp 39 trillion decrease is still subject to change. BGN is working on improving the program's governance, including a refocusing of beneficiaries, to ensure efficiency. Arumsari clarified that the goal is not to continuously cut the budget but to conduct studies for budget refocusing based on scientific principles.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the MBG program be implemented with higher quality. He has also adjusted the target for beneficiaries, moving away from the previous goal of 81 million people for 2026. Arumsari stated that the President understands the challenges in reforming the program and is not setting rigid targets. Currently, 62.7 million beneficiaries are enrolled, but BGN plans to refine this list. The program will prioritize the 3T regions (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost areas).

He (President Prabowo) understands very well that it is not easy for us to fix the previous issues, and he already knows the problems. So he is not setting specific targets for us.

— Agustina ArumsariThe Deputy Head of BGN commented on President Prabowo's understanding and adjusted expectations for the program's implementation.

This is not the first budget cut for the program. In May 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced a reduction of approximately Rp 67 trillion, lowering the MBG program's budget from Rp 335 trillion to Rp 268 trillion. The focus now appears to be on quality and targeted delivery rather than sheer numbers, especially in underserved regions.

The quality needs to be sharpened from there. That is his message. And also in the 3T areas, which he also ordered to be prioritized.

— Agustina ArumsariArumsari relayed President Prabowo's directives on improving program quality and prioritizing remote areas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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