LBH Jakarta Invites Public to Become Amicus Curiae in Free Nutritious Meal Lawsuit
The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) is inviting the public to become friends of the court, or amicus curiae, in the judicial review case concerning the State Budget Law (UU APBN) related to the free nutritious meal (MBG) project.
Head of Advocacy at LBH Jakarta, Alif Fauzi Nurwidiastomo, stated that several institutions have already registered to submit amicus curiae briefs, though he could not yet specify the total number. “One of them is the Campus Workers Union (SPK), which has already submitted,” Alif said during a meeting at the LBH Jakarta office on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
He explained that SPK submitted its brief because the lawsuit intersects with issues regarding the fulfilment of rights for lecturers and education personnel. Beyond organisations, Alif added that LBH Jakarta is also encouraging individuals, including students, to participate by expressing their concerns in the lawsuit. “We are not limiting anyone, as long as it is submitted before the conclusion hearing at the Constitutional Court,” Alif stated.
The judicial review of the State Budget Law, which is intertwined with the MBG project, has seen a flurry of petitions from civil society groups and other elements. Since January, the Constitutional Court has received a number of petitions. There are six judicial review cases filed by civil society groups, educators, and students.
The six cases are registered under case numbers 40, 52, 55, 100, 130, and 142/PUU-XXIV/2026. The majority of the articles being challenged involve the provisions of Article 22 paragraph (3) of the State Budget Law and its elucidation. This article states that the education budget reaches more than Rp 769 trillion, or 20 per cent of the total state budget.
The issue is that the elucidation of this article smuggles in an allocation of a portion of the funds for the MBG project. Based on Presidential Regulation Number 188 of 2025, Rp 223 trillion of the Rp 769 trillion education budget is designated for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
On 15 June, the Head of Advocacy for the Education and Teachers Association (P2G), Iman Zanatul Haeri, testified as a petitioner’s witness in case number 55/PUU-XXIV/2026. Before the panel of constitutional justices, Iman stated that the existence of the MBG project has had a negative impact on the career sustainability and welfare of teachers across all levels.
He cited a concrete example, noting a wave of mass terminations of employment affecting honorary teachers, part-time government employees with work agreements (PPPK), and full-time PPPK. “In Tuban, 39 PPPK teachers had their contracts terminated; in various places like Cianjur, East Lombok, and many more, layoffs have occurred,” Iman said.