Free Nutrition Eating Program Enters RAPBN 2025, Dasco Says There Are Already Sectors Set

Free Nutrition Food (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) is included in the 2025 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget Draft (RAPBN) and a financial note read by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) as well as Chair of the Prabowo-Gibran Synchronization Task Force, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that the free nutritious eating program had been synchronized with the preparation of the 2025 State Budget.

"Yes, what was conveyed is that we synchronized it during the preparation of the APBN, as we both know that in the 2025 State Budget, the free nutritious food is included in the government program which will be implemented in 2025," he said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Friday, August 16.

In addition, Dasco explained that it was not detailed regarding the budget for the free nutritious eating program and IKN development because it was only in general. However, he ensured, later every program and institution/ministerial will be regulated how much the budget would be.

"Indeed, there are no details there, right, everything is global, but then in the APBN in detail there is a per ministry/institutional program," he said.

Dasco explained that the budget for the free nutritious food program to be included in the 2025 RAPBN already has ministries/agencies that will regulate this. And it is in accordance with the needs of the upcoming Prabowo-Gibran government.

"That was not conveyed earlier, because maybe the government has not conveyed it at this time, but we know which sector it will enter, later the government will announce it," he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that Indonesia must continue structural reforms, maintain healthy and credible fiscal policies, and improve collaboration in fiscal, monetary and financial policies.

"The design of spending and income and financing needs to be designed flexibly, by providing fiscal space to anticipate uncertainty, and supporting sustainable development in the transition to government transition," he said in a speech delivering the 2025 RAPBN and Financial Notes, at the DPR Building, Jakarta, Friday, August 16.

Jokowi said that based on this, the short-term policy route would be focused on accelerating economic growth to strengthen welfare and equitable distribution between regions.

Jokowi said that the first thing, namely, Free Nutrition Food (MBG) is directed to improve children's nutrition as well as empower MSMEs, and improve the economy of small communities in the regions.

"The Free Nutrition Eating Program is carried out in stages, aligned with technical and institutional readiness, as well as accountable governance," he said.

Furthermore, second, namely the program to accelerate school renovations to improve access, quality, and link and match education with the business world, as well as the development of superior schools. A conducive education ecosystem will also be developed.

"Third, to encourage productivity, maintain supply, and affordability of food prices, it is necessary to strengthen food barns and irrigation networks," he said.

Jokowi said that the fourth is to improve the community's economy, it is necessary to increase cheap housing financing for the people. Fifth, increase capital for MSMEs.