Golkar Challenges PDIP for Not Rejecting Free Nutritious Meal Programme Funded from Education Budget During DPR Plenary

Yahya Zaini, Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) representing Golkar, responded to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) which questioned the Rp 223.5 trillion budget for the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) being drawn from the total national education budget. Yahya Zaini highlighted that the PDIP faction in the DPR had also agreed on the budget discussions when the matter was raised at the Budget Committee (Banggar) of the DPR and the DPR plenary session.

“With regard to the MBG budget, it has become an agreement between the DPR and the Government. All factions in the DPR agreed with the MBG budget that had been agreed upon by Banggar and ratified in the DPR Plenary so it became the Law on the State Budget,” Yahya Zaini told journalists on Friday (27 February 2026).

He stated that the PDIP faction did not object when discussing the allocation at Banggar and the DPR plenary session for the State Budget determination. He noted that the budget decision had been unanimous.

“Including F-PDIP, no one objected during the discussion at Banggar and Plenary. Thus it became a unanimous decision,” he said.

Yahya Zaini stated that Golkar was not involved in the management of MBG. Nevertheless, his party expressed support for the implementation of the programme championed by President Prabowo Subianto.

“Institutionally, the Golkar Party is not involved in the management of MBG. However, Golkar strongly supports the success of the MBG programme because its purpose is very noble,” said Yahya.

“Programmes such as MBG have been implemented by many countries and have proven successful in creating a golden generation. Japan has run this programme for 137 years, Brazil for 71 years, South Korea for 70 years and India for 31 years,” he added.

He stated that the management of MBG was not within the realm of politics. Yahya mentioned the cooperation between the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) with the community regarding the programme.

“The pattern of cooperation with these foundations is the right approach so it can accelerate the implementation of MBG. Within one year, more than 22,000 SPPG kitchens have been established with approximately 60 million beneficiaries. If MBG were carried out solely by BGN, it would be impossible to achieve such results,” he said.

Yahya reiterated Golkar’s support for the MBG programme. He said that if shortcomings are currently identified, BGN must make improvements and conduct evaluations.

“Golkar strongly supports the MBG programme because its purpose is very noble in creating a generation that is healthy, intelligent and excellent so as to become a quality human resource,” said Yahya.

“As a party supporting President Prabowo, Golkar strongly supports the MBG programme. If in its implementation there are still shortcomings and weaknesses, they are challenges that must be continuously improved and addressed,” he added.

PDIP’s Statement

PDIP had previously provided an analysis of information regarding the funding source of the MBG programme. PDIP stated that the budget of Rp 223.5 trillion for the programme was drawn from the total national education budget.

This clarification was issued following statements from several state officials claiming that the MBG budget was the result of efficiency savings and did not take from the education budget allocation. This triggered questions from PDIP regional and branch officials, as well as the general public about the actual facts.

“Our colleagues below understand that the education budget of Rp 769 trillion is mandatory spending of 20 per cent from the State Budget and Regional Budget that must be allocated purely for education,” said MY Esti Wijayati, Deputy Chair of Commission X of the DPR representing PDIP, at a press conference at the Party School of the PDIP Central Leadership, Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25 February).

However, based on official state documents, the funds for the MBG programme actually reduce the proportion of the education budget allocation.

“In the State Budget appendices in the form of a presidential regulation, it is clearly stated that from the Rp 769 trillion education budget, Rp 223.5 trillion is used for MBG. That is official in the State Budget appendix book,” she said.

Commission X member of the DPR representing PDIP, Adian Napitupulu, strengthened this statement by referring to the applicable legal basis. He cited Article 22 of Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the State Budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year.

In that article, according to Adian, it is explicitly explained that the operational funding for the implementation of education already includes the Nutritious Meal programme in general and religious educational institutions.

“This explanation was then reinforced by Presidential Regulation Number 118 of 2024 regarding the details of the State Budget for 2025, and there it is stated that for the National Nutrition Agency Rp 223,558,960,490. So Rp 223 trillion,” he explained.