On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, accompanied by global philanthropist Bill Gates, visited SD Jati 03 in Jakarta to observe the implementation of the free nutritious meal program (MBG). (BPMI Setpres)
A civil-led coalition to conduct a judicial review on the Indonesian State Budget Law, particularly concerning the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG). On March 10, the coalition comprises several non-profit organisations, including the Sayogyo Institute, the Indonesian Children’s Foundation, the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, the Indonesian Women’s Association, the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and the Indonesian Mothers Alliance. It also includes individuals like Agus Sarwono Busyro Muqoddas, and a village head who are demanding clarity on the program.
This review stems from loopholes in MBG’s budgeting and policy design. Previously, a study conducted by CELIOS calculated that the amount of MBG fund losses was Rp1.27 trillion per week. The coalitions based their opinion on research and have been registered with the case number 98/PUU-XXIV/2026. Specifically, the law to be reviewed is Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the 2026 State Budget.
In total, the MBG is projected to receive Rp335 trillion (US$19 billion) from the state budget. As of March 9, the Ministry of Finance reported that Rp44 trillion (US$2.6 billion) had been disbursed. Additionally, it announced that the program has been received by 61,6 million receivers. The government also highlighted the existence of 25,000 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units that contributed to the program implementation, and argued that MBG supports employment among MSMEs, housewives, culinary businesses, vegetable sellers, kitchen staff, nutritionists, and administrative workers.
The MBG program, a flagship program of President Prabowo Subianto since he campaigned before taking office, has faced significant criticism over its poor governance. Furthermore, there had been issues of weak oversight and hasty implementation, which have led to mass food poisoning in several regions. Most notably, allegations of the budgetary abuse of power, maladministration and corruption have further fueled suspicion, which results in the low nutritional quality.
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