November 18, 2025 | 07:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, said the annual budget required to run the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for the elderly and people with disabilities is estimated at Rp1.189 trillion.
He clarified that financing for this initiative falls under the Ministry of Social Affairs, not the National Nutrition Agency.
The food assistance scheme for elderly citizens and people with disabilities was first introduced in 2022 under then–Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini. Saifullah said he is now aligning the program with President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meals initiative.
Saifullah, widely known as Gus Ipul, said the program is expected to benefit 100,000 elderly individuals and 35,000 people with disabilities. Day-to-day implementation will be handled by local community groups operating near the beneficiaries.
Under the plan, each beneficiary will receive two nutritious meals per day, with each meal costing around Rp15,000. The ministry will also allocate delivery costs of Rp2,000 per day, as well as Rp500,000 per month to support each community group responsible for distribution.
“So the total need is around Rp1.189 trillion per year,” he told Tempo on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Saifullah added that the proposed budget for the 2026 rollout is still under review. He hopes the ministry will continue to be tasked with managing the program, citing its direct engagement with community-based implementers.
Another key factor, he said, is that the program uses a specialized verification system. Eligibility checks for elderly and disabled recipients rely on a by name, by address method to ensure accuracy.
Data on potential beneficiaries is drawn from Indonesia’s Integrated Social and Economic Data System. The Ministry of Social Affairs will work with regional social services and local facilitators to confirm the information.
“Those who qualify include individuals over 70 years old, elderly people living alone, and those who are unable to support themselves,” said Saifullah, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board.
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