MBG to Be Reduced to 5 Days per Week, Finance Minister Purbaya Could Save Rp 40 Trillion Annually

Finance Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, stated that efficiencies in the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) have the potential to save the state budget up to Rp 40 trillion per year.

These efficiencies are planned by reducing the number of operational days. The provision of MBG is proposed to become five days per week, down from the previous six days.

“Usually a week (MBG) is six days, he (the Head of BGN) said five days. So there is also efficiency from MBG, there is quite a significant reduction. He said it could (save) Rp 40 trillion a year,” said Finance Minister Purbaya in Jakarta, quoted from ANTARA, Thursday 26 March 2026.

According to him, this step demonstrates the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) efforts to achieve budget efficiency amid volatile economic conditions due to global geopolitical conflicts.

“This is not me cutting it, indeed he (BGN) is doing it themselves because he said there can still be efficiency in the current situation,” he stated.

The state treasurer explained that the efficiency plan originates from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). The policy announcement will also be delivered directly by BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.

He emphasised that the MBG budget efficiency is not included in the total efficiency value set by President Prabowo Subianto at Rp 81 trillion.

The proposal to reduce MBG operational days to five is still in the initial stage and was presented during a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the government has allocated a budget of Rp 335 trillion for the continuation of the MBG programme.

The expenditure channelled through ministries/institutions (K/L), specifically the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), is Rp 268 trillion. Meanwhile, the remaining Rp 67 trillion is reserved, equivalent to 20 percent of the total budget.