House Commission X: It is untrue that MBG is draining education budget
Mataram (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission X, Lalu Hardian Irfani, has denied that President Prabowo’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is draining or taking away from the education budget.
“On the contrary, education funds are increasing due to the MBG programme,” said Hadrian Irfani in Mataram on Wednesday.
He emphasised that the education budget structure includes free nutritious meals, people’s schools, teacher and lecturer salaries, as well as routine budgets in the Ministry of Education.
“So, there is no cutting, trimming, or reduction. In fact, it is increasing. For example, the government is preparing an additional spending budget of Rp189 trillion for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and God willing, we will discuss it during the Lebaran holiday break,” he stated.
This member of the House of Representatives from the NTB II electoral district in Lombok Island said that from the outset, President Prabowo has never intended to take from the 20% education allocation in the state budget, even with the MBG programme which costs Rp1 trillion per day.
“So it’s clear that MBG will not disrupt the education ministry’s budget. For instance, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is increasing, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is increasing, the Ministry of Culture—God willing, it will increase,” explained Miq Ari, his familiar nickname.
Miq Ari stated that the total education funds from 20% of the state budget amount to around Rp760 trillion specifically for education. All budget postures have already been incorporated into this year’s education budget.
According to him, President Prabowo plans to cut funds due to the Middle East war situation involving the United States, Israel against Iran. This efficiency plan has been instructed to the president’s aides in the ministries.
“Yes, the President has taken steps through the ministers. The aim is to save fuel impacted by the Middle East war,” said the former NTB Provincial House member.
Due to the impact of that war, Miq Ari continued, Indonesia’s fuel reserves are sufficiently disrupted, so the central government needs to discuss and calculate how long Indonesia’s fuel reserves will last.
“Well, one of the steps is efficiency. But we allow efficiency to be carried out, but do not reduce education funds. Because education funds are mandatory under our constitution. So the 20% education funds must be fulfilled,” he stressed.
Lalu Ari is also convinced that the President will not cut education such as people’s schools, Garuda schools, and additional teacher incentives.
“So, nothing is disrupted by MBG. We in Commission 10 are calculating together with ministries and agencies,” he said.