DPR States 2026 Free Nutritious Meal Budget is Part of APBN Allocation Strategy
Jakarta, Kompas.com — Chairman of Commission XI of the DPR RI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, responded to the polemic regarding the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in the 2026 State Budget (APBN), which was said to use education funds.
According to him, the budget allocation strategy is the full authority of the government in operating the APBN.
Misbakhun stated that the public needs to understand the budget policy scheme implemented by the government.
Because of the wide scope of beneficiaries, Misbakhun said, the MBG program uses a cross-sectoral or cross-cutting policy approach from the budget policy side.
“Thus, a strategy is used to divide the budget function according to the beneficiaries in order to strengthen the budget function. This policy is related to the ‘follow the program’ approach, where the budget follows the function and role of the program because its function is to strengthen the nutrition of Indonesian children, most of whom are of school age,” said Misbakhun in a written statement, Thursday (February 26, 2026).
According to him, this pattern is entirely a budget allocation policy strategy. When the government implements a policy to increase the number and strengthen the beneficiaries of the MBG, he added, a budget cutting policy occurs in its strategy and allocation.
He emphasized that this budget strategy should be appreciated. He called it a smart strategy to strengthen the effectiveness of the program.
“As a budget policy choice, this strategy deserves appreciation. So, it should not be questioned or even politicized as a misallocation of the budget,” he said.
Misbakhun also said that the implementation of the MBG in 2026 has started to run smoothly in various regions. The program is supported by Nutrition Fulfillment Service Stations (SPPG), which he said are actively operating well.
Furthermore, Misbakhun mentioned the constitutional mandate which stipulates the allocation of 20 percent of the APBN for education funds. According to him, every year the value of the APBN increases, so the education budget also increases.
“Therefore, comparing the allocation of the MBG program budget with education funds is an exaggeration and disproportionate. The development of educational infrastructure that is still lagging in some areas does not reduce the allocation of educational infrastructure budgets,” he said.
He emphasized that the education budget is actually being strengthened. In 2026, strengthening the education sector is also carried out through the construction of People’s Schools in various parts of Indonesia.
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