Constitutional Court to Rule on MBG Education Funding Lawsuit Next Month
The Constitutional Court (MK) is targeting a ruling next month on the judicial review petition concerning the inclusion of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme within the education budget, prompting the court to request the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to limit the number of expert witnesses presented at next week’s hearing. Chief Justice Suhartoyo made the statement during the material review hearing of Law Number 17 of 2025 on the 2026 State Budget (APBN) for petitions number 40/PUU-XXIV/2026, 52/PUU-XXIV/2026, and 55/PUU-XXIV/2026 at the Plenary Courtroom, MK Building I, Jakarta, on Monday.
The discussion arose from the government’s or president’s legal counsel proposing more than three experts to provide testimony at the follow-up hearing scheduled for next week, Tuesday, 23 June. However, Chief Justice Suhartoyo did not grant the request and insisted that the number of experts from the government be equal to those from the DPR, specifically three experts each for the three cases.
“From the president’s counsel, are there experts being presented?” Suhartoyo asked the government’s legal representative. “Yes, Your Honour, two experts per case,” replied Zulmansyah, Director of Litigation and Non-Litigation at the Ministry of Law, representing the government’s legal team. Upon hearing that the total number of experts would exceed three, Suhartoyo immediately interjected, reminding the court of the time constraints that would not allow for the examination of four experts. “No, sir, the time,” Suhartoyo cautioned, a point the government’s legal counsel conceded.
Suhartoyo explained that the constitutional justices are striving to resolve the case by the end of the month at the latest, so as not to lose the substantive issue raised by the petitioners. “The Constitutional Court will resolve this petition by the end of this month at the latest. So, next month a decision on the case should be possible. This is to ensure we do not lose the issue that is the subject of the petitioners’ provisional request,” Suhartoyo clarified.
The government’s legal counsel attempted to negotiate for four experts, but this was again rejected by Suhartoyo. “Four experts, Your Honour?” asked Zulmansyah. “Three, the same as the DPR,” Suhartoyo instructed. After reaching an understanding, Suhartoyo adjourned the session, which is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at 08:30 WIB. The hearing is expected to be lengthy, as the Constitutional Court typically convenes sessions starting at 10:30 WIB.