TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will cut the budget ceiling for the free nutritious meal program (MBG) by Rp67 trillion in the 2026 state budget (APBN). As a result, the outlook for MBG spending until the end of the year will decrease from Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion.
Purbaya said the decision was an instruction from President Prabowo Subianto. However, he noted that the calculation remains temporary.
According to Purbaya, the government is still leaving room for further savings. “My figure of Rp268 trillion is still temporary. That figure is for now, but there is potential for further improvement,” he said during the APBN KiTa May 2026 press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Purbaya said the President wants the funds allocated for MBG to be used more efficiently. Prabowo is currently improving the program’s management and spending patterns. Therefore, he urged the public to stop criticizing the use of funds for the program while the evaluation process is ongoing.
“Stop blaming MBG. The President is improving the management of MBG and how they spend money,” said Purbaya.
Meanwhile, the realization of MBG spending as of April 30 reached Rp75 trillion, or 22.4 percent of the initial Rp335 trillion budget ceiling. With that spending, the MBG program has reached 61.96 million beneficiaries and 27,952 nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG).
Read: Indonesian Police Aim to Establish 1,500 Free Meal Kitchens by 2026
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