Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta – A temporary halt in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the Eid holiday is set to deliver multi-trillion rupiah savings to the state budget, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said, as the government steps up efforts to safeguard fiscal space.
Purbaya said he had been briefed on the policy to suspend the program during the holiday period, noting the savings would be substantial.
"The MBG chief has reported it, right? He said the program would be paused during the holiday. The savings are quite significant, reaching several trillion rupiah. I've read the report as well," Purbaya said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday, as quoted by Antara.
His remarks reinforce earlier estimates from National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana, who projected potential savings of around Rp 5 trillion ($295.28 million) from the temporary suspension.
Under the official schedule, MBG distribution to schools has been halted since March 13, 2026, while deliveries for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers were last carried out on March 17.
Dadan said there would be no distribution for all beneficiaries between March 18 and 24 due to the national holiday period, although earlier disbursements had been made as compensation. The program is expected to resume normal operations on March 31.
Purbaya added that the government is continuing to seek efficiency gains in the MBG program, which has a total budget allocation of Rp 335 trillion ($19.8 billion). While he described the initiative as crucial for lower-income groups, he said improvements in execution and spending design remain necessary.
"The MBG program will be made more efficient, particularly in how spending is carried out. I think it is a good program, but its implementation still needs to be optimized," he said.
The efficiency push forms part of a broader Finance Ministry strategy to review spending across ministries and agencies, aimed at keeping the 2026 state budget deficit below 3%, especially as rising global oil prices threaten to erode Indonesia's fiscal headroom.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/business/eid-pause-in-free-meals-program-saves-up-to-rp-5-