Government Cuts MBG Budget for 2026, Finance Minister Says It Is for Efficiency

The government has cut the budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in 2026 from Rp 335 trillion to Rp 268 trillion. The reduction is part of the government’s drive to increase efficiency and improve the management of this priority programme. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the efficiency measures are in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure MBG funds are used more efficiently without reducing the effectiveness of on-the-ground delivery. ‘Certain savings in line with the President’s directives will allow MBG funds to be used more efficiently. There will be further savings later,’ he told a May 2026 APBN KiTa press conference in Jakarta. ‘The President is assessing how best to achieve savings without compromising the programme’s effectiveness in feeding schoolchildren. That is what matters.’ As of 30 April 2026, MBG budget realisation stood at Rp 75 trillion, about 22.4% of the initial ceiling of Rp 335 trillion. The funds have reached 61.96 million beneficiaries, supported by 27,952 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) in various regions. ‘So stop blaming MBG again; the President is reforming MBG management and how the money is spent,’ he said. He stressed the government remains open to input to improve programme effectiveness. Separately, state expenditure realised up to 30 April 2026 reached Rp 1,082.8 trillion or 28.2% of the 3,842.7 trillion APBN target. The figure rose 34.3% year on year. Central government spending reached Rp 826 trillion, up 51.1%, with the government describing this growth as part of a strategy to distribute the year’s spending more evenly. On the revenue side, state revenue up to end-April 2026 reached Rp 918.4 trillion, up 13.3% year on year. With these developments, the APBN deficit stood at Rp 164.4 trillion, or about 0.64% of GDP.