JAKARTA - The Chairman of the DPR Budget Agency, Said Abdullah, responded to the issue of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) which was widely discussed by the public because it was said to take education funds in the state budget. Said confirmed that the MBG budget was included in the education budget, by increasing the budget of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).
Said said, in principle, the DPR RI supports President Prabowo Subianto's noble ideals for the nutrition of Indonesian children to improve. That in its implementation there are still many shortcomings here and there, according to Said, it is precisely there that the role and task of the DPR, such as the Budget Agency to provide constructive advice, so that the management is getting better, so that the target of the intervention is achieved.
"In my view, the first thing that must be improved is the management of the kitchen, or SPPG (Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit). This year the government targets to operate 35,270 SPPG. Most of the SPPG are managed by the community, both social foundations and individuals. This is a good thing, opening public participation. However, some of those who are authorized to open the kitchen, tarnish that trust," said Said to reporters, Friday, February 27.
"In practice, not all kitchen owners comply with the provisions of the service standards and nutritional menu set by BGN. Based on this practice, I suggest that BGN issue a blacklist of partners, rogue kitchen managers. They need to be crossed off as BGN partners, and if necessary, be greened. Because because of their actions, they endanger the children of the beneficiaries, and make the target of nutritional intervention that was announced by President Prabowo unattainable," he continued.
Second, according to Said, BGN may need to re-evaluate the target students who are beneficiaries. The coverage can be narrowed down from the target of 3,000 students per SPPG to a maximum of 1,500-2,000 students. With a smaller reach, it allows SPPG to cook faster, adjust delivery hours to students. Thus, the food remains hygienic.
Third, BGN needs to involve local and village governments as part of the supervisory group, and can provide recommendations on the eligibility of SPPG to BGN and a blacklist of partners, as well as take anticipatory action on the eligibility and unsuitability of food to be given to students.
"Why is this necessary, because BGN does not have a vertical downward reach of institutions, and if there is an unwanted incident, the local government must also deal with it," he said.
Returning to the issue of MBG and education budgets, Said said that since President Prabowo led the government, and submitted the 2025 and 2026 state budgets, the education budget was in accordance with the constitutional mandate, namely 20 percent of state expenditures. The education budget allocation in the 2025 state budget amounted to Rp. 724.2 trillion and in 2026 amounted to Rp. 769 trillion.
"In this two-year budget, the allocation for education includes the MBG budget, in 2025 it is Rp. 71 trillion and in 2026 it is Rp. 268 trillion," said Said.
Then in 2026, BGN received a budget allocation in accordance with the State Budget Law of IDR. 268 trillion, which allocated it for MBG program support of IDR. 255.5 trillion and IDR. 12.4 trillion for program management support. From the BGN program budget of IDR. 255.5 trillion, IDR. 223.5 trillion of which is for the education function.
"Is there really an allocation from the education budget? The state budget is the only law whose draft is proposed by the government to the DPR. Therefore, the DPR's position on the RAPBN discussed only changes, increases or decreases the budget position for programs and ministries/institutions that are jointly agreed by the government," said Said.
According to the constitution, Said said that the DPR has the authority to reject the entire RAPBN, and/or vice versa.
Meanwhile, regarding the statement of the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) that the allocation of his ministry's budget had increased, Said said it was true. However, the increase in the allocation was different from the MBG budget.
"The increase is a consequence of the increase in state spending from 2025 to 2026, because state spending is the basis for the 20 percent calculation percentage for education," he explained.
Said emphasized that the increase in the budget was not only accepted by the Ministry of Education, but also the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Religion, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of PU in carrying out the education function of the State Budget. The Ministry of Education increased by Rp. 21.5 trillion, the Ministry of Science and Technology increased by Rp. 3.3 trillion, the Ministry of Religion increased by Rp. 10.5 trillion, the Ministry of Social Affairs increased by Rp. 4 trillion and the Ministry of PU increased by Rp. 1.7 trillion.
So in 2025 and 2026, said Said, the allocation of the MBG budget will be an element included in the education budget post. And this has become a political decision between the DPR and the government.
"Can putting the MBG budget into being part of the education budget be interpreted as part of the education budget intended by the constitution? Obviously, the government and the DPR have decided that it will become a state budget law," he said.
"I respect the community groups who filed a lawsuit to the Constitutional Court regarding the MBG budget in the education budget. Whether this basis is valid, of course only the Constitutional Court (MK) can infer whether this policy is right or not. But with confidence and based on various constitutional studies, the DPR and the government have decided on it," concluded Said.
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