A member of Indonesia’s Golkar party is pushing back against criticism from the PDIP party regarding the funding source for a national free nutritious meal program. The debate centers on whether funds for the program are being drawn from the national education budget.
Yahya Zaini, a deputy chairman of Commission IX in the DPR RI (House of Representatives) representing the Golkar faction, stated that the budget for the free nutritious meal program, known as MBG, was agreed upon by all factions during discussions within the DPR’s Budgetary Body (Banggar) and during a plenary session of the DPR. “Regarding the MBG budget, it was an agreement between the DPR and the Government. All factions in the DPR agreed with the MBG budget that was agreed upon by Banggar and ratified in the DPR Plenary Session, thus becoming the State Budget Law,” Zaini said Friday, February 27, 2026.
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Zaini asserted that the PDIP faction did not voice opposition during the allocation discussions in Banggar and the DPR plenary session approving the national budget, characterizing the decision as unanimous.
“Including the PDIP faction, no one objected during the discussion in Banggar and the Plenary Session. It became a unanimous decision,” he stated.
Zaini also clarified that Golkar is not involved in the management of the MBG program. However, the party expressed its support for the initiative, which was proposed by President Prabowo Subianto.
“Institutionally, the Golkar Party is not involved in the management of MBG. But Golkar strongly supports the success of the MBG Program given that its goal is exceptionally noble,” Zaini said.
“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.
Zaini maintained that the management of MBG falls outside the realm of politics, pointing to cooperation between the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and local communities regarding the program.
“This pattern of cooperation with foundations is a suitable pattern that can accelerate the implementation of MBG. Within a year, more than 22,000 SPPG kitchens have been established, benefiting around 60 million people. If MBG was carried out independently by the BGN, it would not be possible to achieve that much success,” he said.
Zaini reiterated Golkar’s support for the MBG program, stating that if shortcomings are identified, the BGN should address and evaluate them.
“Golkar strongly supports the MBG Program because its goal is very noble, to create a healthy, intelligent and brilliant generation that becomes a quality human resource,” Zaini said.
“As a party supporting President Prabowo, Golkar strongly supports the MBG program. If there are still shortcomings and weaknesses in its implementation, these are challenges that must be continuously improved and addressed,” he continued.
PDIP’s Statement
The PDIP party previously released an analysis of information regarding the funding sources for the MBG program. PDIP stated that a budget of Rp 223.5 trillion for the program was taken from the total national education budget.
This clarification followed statements from several government officials claiming that the MBG budget resulted from efficiency measures and did not impact the education budget. This sparked questions from PDIP regional and branch leaders, as well as the public, regarding the actual facts.
“Our colleagues below understand that the education budget of Rp 769 trillion is a mandatory spending of 20 percent of the State and Regional Budget which must be allocated purely for education,” said MY Esti Wijayati, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the DPR RI representing the PDIP faction, during a press conference at the PDIP Party School in Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
However, official government documents indicate that funds for the MBG program do, in fact, reduce the portion of the education budget.
“In the appendix to the APBN, which is a presidential regulation, it is clearly stated that of the Rp 769 trillion education budget, Rp 223.5 trillion is used for MBG. This is officially in the appendix to the APBN,” she said.
Adian Napitupulu, a member of Commission X of the DPR RI representing the PDIP faction, reinforced the statement by referencing the applicable legal basis, citing Article 22 of Law Number 17 of 2025 concerning the 2026 State Budget.
According to Adian, the article explicitly states that the operational funding for the implementation of education includes the provision of Nutritious Meals in both general and religious educational institutions.
“This explanation was further strengthened by Presidential Regulation Number 118 of 2024 regarding the details of the 2025 APBN and it mentions Rp 223,558,960,490 for the National Nutrition Agency. That’s Rp 223 trillion,” he explained.
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