MBG Programme Reduced to Five Days a Week, Government Cites Potential Savings of Rp20 Trillion

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, has announced the government’s strategic steps to optimise the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The government is now directing the provision of fresh meals to five days a week. He stated that this measure is projected to save the state budget up to Rp20 trillion.

“The government is pushing for the optimisation of the Free Nutritious Meals programme, and this programme is directed towards providing fresh meals for five days a week while still considering exceptions such as for boarding schools, 3T regions, and areas with high stunting rates. The potential savings from this activity reach Rp20 trillion,” said Airlangga during a press conference on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Airlangga emphasised that the optimisation of the MBG programme is not merely a technical cost-saving step, but part of a structural transformation towards a more efficient, productive, and resilient economy. With potential savings of Rp20 trillion, the government hopes to create healthier fiscal space to support other priority programmes.

“The overall policy is part of a structural transformation towards a more efficient, productive, and resilient economy,” he added.

In addition to adjusting the programme scheme, the government also highlighted the importance of more effective work culture changes. Airlangga invited all levels of society and the private sector to actively participate in supporting this efficiency.

“The government invites all of society and the business world to remain productive, participate actively, and support this efficiency and work culture transformation,” he concluded.