Bambang Ismoyo, Jakarta – The government will temporarily halt the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the 2026 Eid holiday, with distribution set to stop after March 17 before resuming at the end of the month.

National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana said the pause is a routine schedule adjustment ahead of the Eid holiday break, meaning no meals will be distributed during the period.

"For MBG, Mar. 17 will be the last day. Distribution for pregnant women, toddlers, and school children has already been stopped, and we will resume on March 31, 2026," Dadan said at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta.

Despite the temporary halt, the government has no plans to cut the program's budget. Dadan said that MBG funding remains in line with the 2026 state budget (APBN), with no revisions so far.

"For now, we are sticking with what has already been set in the 2026 state budget," he said.

The MBG program has been allocated Rp 335 trillion ($19.8 billion) in the 2026 State Budget and continues to run as planned, even as the government explores potential adjustments to spending across various programs.

Dadan said any future budget changes would be discussed jointly with relevant ministries and agencies but stressed that no decision has been made.

The statement came after a coordination meeting attended by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Danantara Indonesia CEO Rosan Roeslani, and National Development Planning Minister Rachmat Pambudy.

MBG is one of the government's priority programs aimed at improving nutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as schoolchildren, by providing access to healthy meals.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/free-meals-program-paused-for-eid-no-budget-cuts-planne