Citizens Seek to Intervene in Constitutional Court Review of Education Funding for Free Nutritious Meal Programme
Several citizens directly involved in implementing the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) have submitted a petition to become intervening parties in a constitutional review case concerning the State Budget Law for Fiscal Year 2026 at the Constitutional Court (MK).
They wish to present field-level evidence regarding the programme’s implementation during litigation that challenges the use of education budget allocations to support the MBG programme.
The legal counsel for the intervening party petitioners, Prof Joko Sriwidodo, stated that public participation is important so the MK can obtain a more complete picture before deciding the case.
“We are filing the petition as intervening parties so the MK can directly hear testimony from the community implementing and benefiting from the MBG programme,” said Joko in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.
The petition relates to a review of Article 22, paragraph (3) and its explanation in Law No. 17 of 2025 concerning the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 against the 1945 Constitution. This provision allows for the use of education budget allocations for operational funding of education delivery, including nutritious meal programmes in educational institutions.
The provision has been challenged in several cases at the MK, namely Case No. 40/PUU-XXIV/2026 filed by the Taman Belajar Foundation, Case No. 52/PUU-XXIV/2026 filed by Felix, and Case No. 55/PUU-XXIV/2026 filed by Reza Sudrajat. The petitioners in these cases essentially request that MBG programme funding not be drawn from the education budget allocation in the 2026 State Budget.
The MK is scheduled to hold a further hearing on the case on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, with an agenda including hearing testimony from the House of Representatives.
In the petition filed with the MK, four citizens have volunteered as intervening parties due to their direct connection with the implementation of the MBG programme.
They include Sujimin, a resident of Kampung Nyalindung RT 002/RW 005, Sukamantri Village, Tamansari District, Bogor Regency, West Java, who works as an entrepreneur and owner of a Nutrition Service Delivery Unit (SPPG) implementing the MBG programme.
Additionally, there is Nadya Alwin, a resident of Perum Citoh Komplek Bromo Blok B Number 6 RT 005/RW 002, Kelurahan Cibatok I, Cibungbulang District, Bogor Regency, who works in an SPPG kitchen and depends on this employment for her income.
Another intervening party is Ayu Yudiana, a contract teacher residing in Kampung Cimanglid Number 08 RT 001/RW 005, Sukamantri Village, Tamansari District, Bogor Regency, who directly experiences the impact of the MBG programme on students at her school.
Finally, Rizka Rosmawati, a resident of Jalan Kebagusan Waten Number 47 RT 003/RW 004, Kebagusan Village, Pasar Minggu District, South Jakarta, has volunteered as an intervening party as a parent of a student benefiting from the MBG programme.
Another legal counsel, Prof Laksanto Utomo, stated that testimony from the intervening parties is expected to help the MK see more concretely how the MBG programme is implemented and what benefits the public experiences. “The testimony of the intervening parties is expected to provide a factual picture regarding the implementation of the MBG programme and its impact on the public,” said Laksanto.
The petition was submitted through a team of advocates and legal consultants from JSR Law Firm consisting of Prof Joko Sriwidodo, Prof St Laksanto Utomo, Lenny Nadriana, Luqmanul Hakim, Viktor Santoso Tandiasa, Aulia Nugraha Sutra Ashary, and Rezky Panji Perdana Martua Hasibuan.