August 20, 2025 | 05:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Here are the highlights: Sri Mulyani Denies Video Calling Teachers State Burden: Hoax, Deepfake; MBG Gets Rp24.7 Trillion from Health Budget, Apart from 44% of Education Funds; and Rp335tn Allocated for Free Nutritious Meal Program in Indonesia's 2026 State Budget.
The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:
1. Sri Mulyani Denies Video Calling Teachers State Burden: Hoax, Deepfake
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has denied a video claiming that she referred to teachers as a burden on the state, stating that the content is not an official statement from her. Through her official Instagram account, @smindrawati, she declared the video to be a hoax.
She stated that during her speech at the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention at ITB on August 7, no such comment was made. “The widely circulated video is a hoax, a result of deepfake,” Sri wrote in her post, as seen on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Sri further explained that the video was created by splicing together several clips from her original speech. She urged the public to be more discerning when using social media. "In fact, I never stated that teachers are a burden on the state," she affirmed.
2. MBG Gets Rp24.7 Trillion from Health Budget, Apart from 44% of Education Funds
The free nutritious meal program (MBG) is one of the initiatives funded through the health budget. The Ministry of Finance has allocated Rp24.7 trillion for MBG from the total health budget of Rp244 trillion.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said that the MBG allocation from the health budget is intended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers.
“Apart from education, MBG also receives funding from the health sector, and there are 7.4 million beneficiaries,” Sri said during the presentation of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (RAPBN) 2026 financial notes on Friday, August 15, 2025.
3. Rp335tn Allocated for Free Nutritious Meal Program in Indonesia's 2026 State Budget
The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) received a budget of Rp335 trillion in the 2026 State Budget (APBN). This figure also makes the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), as the implementing agency for the Free Nutrition Meals Program, the largest recipient of the budget.
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana stated that the planned Rp335 trillion MBG budget for 2026 will focus on nutrition interventions and the digitalization of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) operations. He stated that at least Rp1.2 trillion per day, or approximately Rp25 trillion per month, will be allocated for nutrition interventions.
"Because we have assumed 82.9 million beneficiaries, we are currently accelerating efforts. There are 19,000 (SPPG partners) whose feasibility we are currently assessing," Dadan said at the Antara Heritage Center in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
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Rp335tn Allocated for Free Nutritious Meal Program in Indonesia's 2026 State Budget
7 jam lalu
According to President Prabowo, the allocation of Rp 335 trillion for the free nutritious meal program is intended for 82.9 million beneficiaries.
Sri Mulyani Denies Video Calling Teachers State Burden: Hoax, Deepfake
19 jam lalu
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani stressed that the content is not an official statement from her.
MBG Gets Rp24.7 Trillion from Health Budget, Apart from 44% of Education Funds
22 jam lalu
Sri Mulyani said the MBG health budget is allocated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers, with 7.4 million beneficiaries.
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1 hari lalu
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Indonesia's 91,028 Islamic Religious Teachers Expected to Be Eligible for Professional Allowance in 2026
1 hari lalu
Islamic religious teachers who complete professional education program in Indonesia will receive professional allowance starting 2026.
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1 hari lalu
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Indonesia Projected to Face Rp599 Trillion in Debt Interest Costs Next Year
2 hari lalu
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati has confirmed that the target ratio of debt to GDP in 2026 will remain unchanged at 39.96 percent over the past 3 years.
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2 hari lalu
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Beyond Ramps and Restrooms: How Schools Can Help Children with Disabilities Thrive
3 hari lalu
To begin with, children or students with disabilities are underrepresented and barely visible in mainstream educational institutions.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani's Comments on Teachers' and Lecturers' Salaries
3 hari lalu
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani commented on the issue of teachers' and lecturers' salaries that has been widely discussed on social media. What is the initial plan for increasing teachers' salaries in the Prabowo era?
