Prabowo's Directive: MBG Budget Cut to Rp 268 Trillion

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will cut the ceiling for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme by Rp 67 trillion in the 2026 state budget (APBN). Consequently, MBG’s expenditure outlook for the year-end will fall from Rp 335 trillion to Rp 268 trillion.

Purbaya said the decision was an instruction from President Prabowo Subianto. However, the calculation remains provisional.

The government, according to Purbaya, still has room for further savings. ‘My figure of Rp 268 trillion is still provisional. The figure is provisional for now, but there is potential for further improvement,’ he said at the APBN KiTa May 2026 edition press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

Purbaya said the President wants the funds used for MBG to be more efficient. Prabowo is said to be reforming governance and spending patterns for the programme. Therefore, he asked the public not to blame the budget used for this programme during the ongoing evaluation process.

‘Do not blame MBG again. The President is improving MBG management and how they spend money,’ Purbaya said.

As for MBG budget realisation up to 30 April, it stood at Rp 75 trillion or 22.4 percent of the original Rp 335 trillion ceiling. With this expenditure, MBG has reached 61.96 million beneficiaries and 27,952 Nutrition Service Delivery Units (SPPG).