Indonesia Slashes MBG Free Meal Budget, Sparks Volunteer Rally

Indonesia's Ministry of Finance announced a major reduction in the budget for the free nutritious meal program (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG). The allocation is set to fall from an estimated Rp335 trillion to about Rp268 trillion, yielding a saving of roughly Rp67 trillion. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the cut follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to improve program management and fiscal efficiency, and noted that the country's deficit is expected to stay below 3% of GDP.

In the province of West Java, thousands of volunteers gathered in Ciamis for an “Silaturahmi Akbar Relawan MBG” event, urging the continuation of the program despite a temporary three‑week suspension of many MBG kitchens ordered by the National Nutrition Agency. Volunteer leader Syamsu Romli Al Humaini reported that more than 8,000 volunteers have been involved locally and warned that the closure of eight permanent kitchens could increase unemployment. Local officials praised the volunteers’ contribution and called for renewed coordination to keep the program running.