Deputy Chair of Commission IX DPR RI Golkar Fraction, Yahya Zaini, responded to PDIP who questioned the budget of IDR 223.5 trillion for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program taken from the total national education budget. Yahya Zaini brought up that the PDIP DPR faction also agreed on the budget discussion when it took place at the DPR Budget Body (Banggar) level and at the DPR plenary session.
“Regarding the MBG budget, there has been an agreement between the DPR and the Government. All factions in the DPR agree with the MBG budget which has been agreed upon by the Banggar and ratified in the DPR Plenary so that it becomes the APBN Law,” said Yahya Zaini to journalists, Friday (27/2/2026).
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He said the PDIP faction did not refuse when discussing the allocation at Banggar and at the DPR plenary meeting to determine the APBN. He said the budget decision was unanimous.
“Including the F-PDIP, no one rejected the discussion time at the Banggar and Plenary Session. So it was a unanimous decision,” he said.
Yahya Zaini said that Golkar was not involved in managing MBG. Nevertheless, his party expressed support for the implementation of the program promoted by President Prabowo Subianto.
“Institutionally the Golkar Party is not involved in managing MBG. However, Golkar really supports the success of the MBG Program because its aims are very noble,” said Yahya.
“Programs like MBG have been implemented by many countries and have proven successful in creating a golden generation. Japan has been running this program for 137 years, Brazil for 71 years, South Korea for 70 years and India for 31 years,” he added.
He said that the management of MBG does not fall into the realm of politics. Yahya mentioned the existence of cooperation between the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the community regarding this program.
“This pattern of cooperation with the foundation is the right pattern so that it can speed up the implementation of MBG. Within one year, more than 22 thousand SPPG kitchens have been established with around 60 million beneficiaries. If MBG was carried out alone by BGN it would not be possible to achieve that much,” he said.
Yahya again emphasized Golkar’s support for the MBG program. He said that if deficiencies are found at this time, BGN must improve and evaluate.
“Golkar really supports the MBG Program because its goal is very noble to produce a healthy, intelligent and brilliant generation so that they become quality human resources,” said Yahya.
“As a party supporting President Prabowo, Golkar strongly supports the MBG program. If in its implementation there are still shortcomings and weaknesses, this is a challenge that must be improved and addressed continuously,” he continued.
PDIP statement
PDIP previously submitted an analysis of information regarding funding sources for the MBG program. PDIP said the budget of IDR 223.5 trillion for this program was taken from the total national education budget.
This clarification was conveyed following statements from a number of state officials who stated that the MBG budget was the result of efficiency and did not take up a share of the education budget. This sparked questions from the PDIP DPD-DPC administrators, as well as the wider public regarding the real facts.
“Our friends below understand that the education budget of IDR 769 trillion is mandatory spending of 20 percent of the APBN and APBD which must be allocated purely for education,” said Deputy Chair of Commission
However, based on official state documents, funding for the MBG program actually cuts into this portion of the education budget.
“In the APBN attachment in the form of a presidential regulation, it is clearly stated that of the Rp. 769 trillion education budget, Rp. 223.5 trillion was used for MBG. This is officially stated in the APBN attachment book,” he said.
Member of Commission He quoted Article 22 of Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the 2026 Fiscal Year APBN.
In this article, said Adian, it is explicitly explained that operational funding for the provision of education includes the Nutritious Meal program at public and religious educational institutions.
“This explanation was then strengthened by Presidential Regulation Number 118 of 2024 concerning details of the 2025 APBN, and it stated that for the National Nutrition Agency IDR 223,558,960,490. So IDR 223 trillion,” he explained.
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