PDIP: Free Nutritious Meals Budget Taken from Education Allocation in 2026 National Budget
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has stated that the budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, valued at 223.5 trillion rupiah, is sourced from the education allocation within the 2026 National Budget and Revenue Expenditure (APBN).
Deputy Chairwoman of Commission X of the House of Representatives from the PDIP Faction, MY Esti Wijayati, stated that this reference is based on the 2026 APBN Law and the annexes to the Presidential Regulation detailing the APBN breakdown. In the annex documentation, she stated, the total education budget is recorded as 769 trillion rupiah, which includes an allocation for MBG valued at 223.5 trillion rupiah.
“This is officially recorded in the APBN annex document,” said Esti at a press conference at the PDIP Party School in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
According to Esti, this clarification was issued after PDIP conducted verification through online and offline meetings with regional leadership boards and branches responsible for public affairs across Indonesia. During these forums, questions arose from grassroots cadres regarding statements from several state officials claiming that MBG did not draw from the education budget.
“Since questions began emerging from the grassroots level, we felt it necessary to provide a public explanation,” she said.
Previously, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasised that the MBG programme does not reduce the education budget in his ministry. He assured that strategic education programmes will continue to operate and will even be expanded in 2026.
“If there is an assumption that MBG reduces the education budget, we categorically state that this is not true. Presidential programmes relating to education will continue to be implemented optimally,” said Mu’ti during a Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of the MBG Programme in East Java on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Mu’ti noted that in 2025 the government allocated 16.9 trillion rupiah for the revitalisation of 16,167 educational institutions throughout Indonesia, with construction realisation reaching 93 per cent. “This demonstrates that the state’s commitment to improving education infrastructure remains strong,” he said.
For 2026, the revitalisation budget in the APBN is reported to exceed 14 trillion rupiah and will be allocated to 11,474 educational institutions. Additionally, President Prabowo Subianto is reported to be planning to increase the revitalisation budget for 60,000 educational institutions.
“Therefore, in total, once included in the APBN, we propose that this year revitalisation work will cover approximately 71,000 educational institutions,” said Mu’ti.
Beyond infrastructure, Mu’ti ensured that the learning digitalisation programme, education assistance for students, and teacher training will continue to operate. He also confirmed that the Indonesia Smart Programme (PIP) budget for primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and special education students will not be reduced.
Public debate emerged earlier following claims that MBG was drawing from the education budget allocation. The government has emphasised that the programme does not erode education funding, but rather operates in tandem with the strengthening of infrastructure and education assistance.
However, according to the annex of Presidential Regulation Number 118 of 2025 regarding the 2026 APBN Breakdown, the MBG budget is listed under the education budget allocation. From the total 769 trillion rupiah education budget, approximately 223 trillion rupiah is allocated to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to implement the MBG programme.