Jakarta, VIVA \u2013 The government has stated that it respects the ruling\nof the Constitutional Court (MK) ordering that the budget for the Free\nNutritious Meal (MBG) programme no longer form part of the education\nbudget.<\/p>\n
Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said the\ngovernment had received information about the Constitutional Court\u2019s\nruling. Nevertheless, the government is still awaiting an official copy\nof the decision before determining its next steps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have also received information that the MK has taken a decision.\nBut because we are currently out of town, we have not yet officially\nreceived a copy of the decision,\u201d said Prasetyo aboard a train\ntravelling from Batang to Jakarta on Thursday, 30 July 2026.<\/p>\n
Prasetyo emphasised that the government would study the contents of\nthe ruling thoroughly once the official document is received.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd of course, whatever the MK decides, we will certainly respect it\nand study it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Constitutional Court Orders MBG Budget to Be Separated from Education\nFunds<\/p>\n
In a ruling read out on Thursday, 30 July 2026, the Constitutional\nCourt ordered that the MBG budget be separated from the education budget\nno later than the preparation of the State Budget (APBN) for Fiscal Year\n2028.<\/p>\n
The ruling resulted from a judicial review of provisions in Law\nNumber 17 of 2025 on the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which\nregulated the use of the education budget to fund the MBG programme.<\/p>\n
In its considerations, the Court stated that the education budget\nmust be prioritised to meet the core needs of the education sector, such\nas the provision of facilities and infrastructure, the financing of\nteaching staff, and improving public access to educational services.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the MBG programme was deemed to have a broader scope of\nobjectives, as it relates to fulfilling the public\u2019s nutritional and\nhealth needs. For this reason, the Court was of the view that the\nprogramme should receive its own budget allocation within the APBN.<\/p>\n
Palace Says Budget Discussions Involve the House of\nRepresentatives<\/p>\n
Prasetyo Hadi explained that adjustments to the MBG programme budget\nare not solely within the government\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n
According to him, the drafting of the State Revenue and Expenditure\nBudget is carried out together with the House of Representatives (DPR),\nso any change in the budget structure must be discussed jointly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we draft the budget together with our colleagues in the DPR.\nSo please give us time,\u201d said Prasetyo.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/palace-respects-constitutional-court-ruling-on-separating-free-nutritious-meal-budget-from-education-we-will-1785423133", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }