Indonesia to Separate Free Meal Program Budget by 2028

Indonesia's government intends to segregate the budget for its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, with the separation scheduled to take effect from the 2028 State Budget. This move aligns with a Constitutional Court ruling that mandates the MBG budget be distinct from the education budget.

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Now, the budget has been compiled, it has already been compiled. If we change it now, everything will be a mess.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa explained that such significant budget restructuring cannot be executed abruptly. He noted that the budget for the upcoming year has already been finalized, and immediate changes would disrupt the entire financial framework. Adjustments require careful preparation and a gradual approach.

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If it's shifted out, it must be added again, right? That means something outside must be added, education must also be added here, adding 20 percent of that is fast.

"If it's shifted out, it must be added again, right? That means something outside must be added, education must also be added here, adding 20 percent of that is fast," Purbaya stated, highlighting the interconnectedness of budget allocations and the potential ripple effects of altering one component.

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It cannot be done instantly, it takes a long time to prepare everything.

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, confirmed the planned separation starting in 2028, clarifying that this does not imply an end to the MBG program for its recipients. The program has already reached 63.13 million beneficiaries, with budget realization reaching Rp101.1 trillion by the end of the second quarter of 2026, contributing to increased government spending.

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MBG starts in 2028, the MBG budget. And that is not for all MBG recipients.