Free Nutritious Meal Budget Slashed Again, Purbaya: Lower Than IDR 268 Trillion

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme will be cut again, falling below the current allocation of IDR 268 trillion. “It will be below that (IDR 268 trillion). But for the details, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency will report later,” Purbaya said during a press conference at the Juanda Building on Friday (26/6/2026). The Ministry of Finance and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) agreed to the budget reduction after a meeting with the Head of BGN at the Ministry of Finance office on Thursday (25/6/2026) afternoon. “Yesterday I met with the Head of BGN here. She reported that there would be further savings from the MBG programme. I think the savings are quite significant, but the Head of BGN will announce the details,” he said. Purbaya continued that the MBG budget after the further cuts could be lower than IDR 268 trillion in 2026. This figure itself was the result of a previous cut from the initial MBG budget of IDR 335 trillion this year. “The reduction is quite significant, which clearly makes our budget safer. The cut is significant, but I was not the one who proposed it, the Head of BGN herself did. So you can ask the Head of BGN,” he explained. Purbaya added that the evaluation and budget cuts for the MBG programme will not reduce the meal portions or their nutritional content. “It is ensured that the meals remain nutritious. But the Head of BGN knows more about that area,” he clarified.