Gerindra: Budget for Free Nutritious Meal Program Does Not Cut Basic Education Rights

A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Gerindra Party faction, Azis Subekti, has called on the public to adopt a clear and honest approach when interpreting the structure of the State Budget (APBN). He emphasized that the allocation of funds for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program should not be viewed as a reduction in basic education rights, but rather as an effort to support the quality of human resources.

Azis highlighted the public outcry that has arisen, with some claiming that hundreds of trillions of rupiah in education funds are being diverted to the MBG program. He argued that this view is a misunderstanding of the structure of the state budget.

“The persistent misinterpretation is equating a portion of the education budget with a reduction in basic education needs. The nutritious meal program is not intended as a replacement, but as a support to ensure that children can learn as whole individuals,” Azis said in a written statement on Thursday (February 26, 2026).

Azis explained that the government is implementing efficiency measures by reallocating funds from various budget items that are not being used optimally, and redirecting them to programs that have a direct impact on the community. He stressed that these efficiency measures are not a reduction in existing rights.

He stated that the nutritious meal program is intended for school children, and therefore, its administrative recording falls under the education budget category. Azis believes that this is perfectly reasonable from a financial perspective.

“The administrative recording is being twisted into a narrative of budget cuts. The public is being encouraged to be angry, rather than to understand. In reality, when the APBN increases, the constitutional mandate for allocating 20 percent to education automatically increases as well,” he said.

Azis assured that basic education needs, which have always been a priority, will continue to be met. Based on the available budget documents, he stated that there is no reduction in funding for teacher welfare or other essential education assistance.

In fact, with the increased fiscal space, the country is said to have the opportunity to do many things simultaneously: improve school infrastructure while ensuring that students have adequate nutrition to absorb lessons.

“Education will falter when we allow children to learn in a state of hunger. The narrative that separates children’s meals from their education is a misguided and dangerous narrative because it pits two interests that are on the same line against each other,” Azis said.

Furthermore, Azis invited all parties to monitor the government with disciplined thinking and complete data. He warned that using figures as “political bullets” will only erode public trust and the sanity of the nation.

“Honesty in reading figures is the foundation of public trust. Without it, even the best-intentioned policies will always appear suspicious,” he concluded.

Waka BGN prohibits the use of operational vehicles for SPPG for shopping. Special vehicles for distributing MBG, violations will be subject to suspension.

Dozens of SPPG heads in the Solo Raya area reported a lack of rest areas and non-standard kitchen equipment. BGN threatens to suspend naughty partners.

A post circulating on social media stating that the BPJS Kesehatan membership for the segment of Recipients of Health Insurance Assistance or BPJS PBI JK is being revoked for MBG is untrue.

The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) affirmed that the zakat, infaq, and sadaqah (ZIS) funds collected from donors and the community will not be used to finance the MBG program.

He emphasized the need for government support in the form of access to financing and technology so that young farmers can compete optimally.

Four alumni have returned funds of Rp1 to Rp2 billion because they were found to have been subject to sanctions for not fulfilling their obligations. This was stated by the Director General of LPDP.

Recently, social media has been filled with discussions about the term ‘mother tongue’, which has sparked public reflection.

Not all journeys begin with a letter of assignment. Some are born from something more silent, from a calling that cannot be postponed.

Ninety days after the flood hit Aceh, some children have returned to sit under blue tents that are being used as emergency classrooms.

This postponement is purely a tactical step to maintain budget stability amid cuts in transfer funds from the center.

Copyright @ 2026 Media Group - mediaindonesia. All Rights Reserved