Deputy Finance Minister Juda Agung stated that abolishing the\ndistribution of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme on Saturdays\ncould save the budget around Rp1 trillion in one day. Juda explained\nthat this step is part of the government\u2019s sharpening or refocusing of\nspending to ensure the implementation of priority programmes runs more\nefficiently and with higher quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cMBG, for example, which previously provided free lunches on\nSaturdays, has now been eliminated. One day can save one trillion,\u201d said\nJuda during the Policy Dialogue session at the Kick Off Acceleration of\nIndonesia\u2019s Intermediation (PINISI) event in Jakarta on Monday, 27 April\n2026, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He explained that the policy is considered more logical because\nstudents do not need to come to school just to receive meals. According\nto him, the savings could reach around Rp4 trillion in a month if\ncalculated over four weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cFour times in a month can save or economise Rp4 trillion. In a year,\nof course, we can save around Rp50 trillion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition to Saturdays, the government has abolished MBG\ndistribution during school holidays as part of the programme\u2019s\nsharpening. Juda emphasised that the government remains committed to\nrunning priority programmes, but with a more targeted and\nquality-oriented approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is refocusing or sharpening. We are still carrying out the\nexisting priority programmes with higher quality and more sharply,\u201d he\nstated.<\/p>\n
He added that the government is also evaluating nutritional\nfulfilment service units (SPPG) that do not meet nutritional standards.\nAccording to him, the government will take firm action by temporarily\nsuspending the operations of SPPGs that do not meet those standards.<\/p>\n
Juda said the spending sharpening is being carried out to keep the\nstate revenue and expenditure budget (APBN) deficit under control amid\nglobal oil price pressures.<\/p>\n
He further noted that the government is holding back increases in\nsubsidised fuel prices to protect people\u2019s purchasing power, even though\nit implies an increase in subsidies.<\/p>\n
To that end, the government is carrying out spending controls and\nrevenue optimisation, including through the coretax taxation system and\npotential revenues from rising commodity prices such as coal and crude\npalm oil (CPO).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/free-nutritious-meals-distribution-on-saturdays-abolished-how-much-savings-1777341262", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }