LBH Jakarta Requests Komnas HAM as Amicus Curiae in MBG Lawsuit

The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) has requested the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to act as an amicus curiae in a lawsuit concerning the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) project. Alif Fauzi Nurwidiastomo, Head of Advocacy at LBH Jakarta, stated that the request was made because the institution led by Anis Hidayah had previously released findings and recommendations regarding the implementation of the MBG project. ‘The hope is that these findings and recommendations can be presented before the panel of judges,’ Alif said at the LBH Jakarta office on Thursday, 25 June 2026. He noted that Komnas HAM has the authority to serve as an amicus curiae under Article 89 paragraph (3) of the Human Rights Law, which allows it to provide views to the court. LBH Jakarta has opened the opportunity for the public to become amicus curiae in case Number 55/PUU-XXIV/2026 at the Constitutional Court. Alif said that as of today, several organisations have applied to become amicus curiae. An amicus curiae is a third party outside the litigants who voluntarily provides written legal opinions or information to the panel of judges to assist in considering and resolving a case by offering additional perspectives or evidence. Alif added that the Campus Workers Union (SPK) is one of the organisations that has applied as an amicus curiae in the case. ‘The reason is that this lawsuit intersects with the issue of fulfilling the rights of lecturers and education personnel,’ he said. Since January, the Constitutional Court has received several petitions, with six judicial review lawsuits filed by civil society groups, educators, and students. These lawsuits are registered under case Numbers 40, 52, 55, 100, 130, and 142/PUU-XXIV/2026. The majority of the articles being challenged concern the provisions of Article 22 paragraph (3) of the State Budget Law and its elucidation. This article states that the education budget amounts to more than Rp 769 trillion, or 20 per cent of the total state budget. The issue is that the elucidation of this article includes a provision allocating a portion of these funds to 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).