Commission IX Responds to Plan for Adjusting MBG Programme
Commission IX of the House of Representatives has responded to the government’s ongoing review of adjustments to the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. These adjustments are seen as an effort to ensure the programme’s sustainability amid fiscal pressures.
Finance Minister Purbaya previously announced plans to reduce the frequency of MBG provision from six days to five days per week. This policy is said to have the potential to save up to Rp40 trillion in the 2026 budget.
Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Pulung Agustanto, stated that the adjustment steps need to be viewed proportionally amid the global economic conditions pressuring the nation’s fiscal space. “The efficiency results can be redirected to other programmes, for example, to mitigate the impact of oil price fluctuations to strengthen public purchasing power,” said Pulung in his statement on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Pulung stated that the government’s ambitious targets for the MBG programme deserve appreciation, but its implementation must still consider the national fiscal capacity.
In addition to the budget aspect, Pulung reminded the government to continue improving the quality of food received by students. According to Pulung, the National Nutrition Agency must tighten supervision of MBG kitchen operations to maintain nutritional standards.
He also emphasised the importance of community involvement in programme oversight. “Involve the community in monitoring.”
Pulung assessed that a programme as large as MBG requires an open evaluation space so that its benefits are truly felt by society. “Accept all inputs and carry out continuous improvements,” said Pulung.
Finance Minister Purbaya previously stated that efficiencies in the MBG programme have the potential to save the state budget up to Rp40 trillion per year. These efficiencies are planned by reducing the number of operational days. MBG provision is proposed to be five days per week from the previous six days.
“Usually a week (MBG) six days, he (the Head of BGN) says five days. So there is also efficiency from MBG, there is quite a significant reduction. He says it can (save) Rp40 trillion a year,” said Finance Minister Purbaya in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
According to him, this step demonstrates the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) efforts in budget efficiency amid turbulent economic conditions due to global geopolitical conflicts.
“This is not me cutting it, indeed he (BGN) is doing it themselves because he says there can still be efficiency in the current situation,” he said.
The state treasurer explained that the efficiency plan comes from the BGN side. The policy announcement will also be directly conveyed by BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.