Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Teddy Indra Wijaya has firmly asserted that the education budget within the State Budget (APBN) was collaboratively agreed upon by both the government and the House of Representatives (DPR), including the DPR’s Budget Committee (Banggar).
This statement came as Teddy addressed narratives suggesting that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program would lead to a reduction in education funding.
“The education budget is mandated to be 20 percent of the APBN. This year, that figure stands at Rp 769.1 trillion,” Teddy clarified at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday (27/2).
Agreed by DPR’s Budget Committee
Teddy further elaborated that the allocation and purpose of the education budget had been thoroughly discussed and mutually agreed upon during the APBN deliberations last year.
He specifically pointed out that the DPR’s Budget Committee, which approved this financial structure, was led by a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
“Its content and its allocations were agreed upon last year by the Government, the DPR, and the DPR’s Budget Committee. And notably, the Chairman of the Budget Committee is also from PDIP,” Teddy emphasized.
Currently, the Chairman of the DPR Budget Committee is Said Abdullah, a prominent figure from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
Teddy underlined that the MBG program is considered a fundamental building block for enhancing the future quality of education.
“Indeed, all these initiatives, including the MBG, serve as the initial foundation to improve education going forward,” he added, reinforcing his stance.
No Budget Reduction Affirmed
Reiterating his earlier statements, Teddy once again firmly declared that the MBG program would not lead to any cuts in the education budget.
“Does this nutritious meals program reduce the education program? I answer, no,” he asserted definitively.
Statement from DPR Commission X
Conversely, Vice Chairperson of DPR RI Commission X from the PDIP Faction, MY Esti Wijayati, previously stated that according to an appendix to the 2026 State Budget Law, the MBG budget is explicitly listed as part of the education budget.
She highlighted that out of the total Rp 769 trillion allocated for education, a substantial Rp 223.5 trillion is specifically earmarked for the MBG program.
“In the APBN appendix, which takes the form of a Presidential Regulation, it is clearly stated that out of the Rp 769 trillion education budget, Rp 223.5 trillion is utilized for the MBG. This is officially documented in the APBN appendix book. We, from DPR RI Commission X, feel it is necessary to explain this plainly so that the public understands the truth according to the data,” Esti explained during a press conference at the PDIP DPP Party School in South Jakarta on Wednesday (25/2).
Summary
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya asserted that the education budget of Rp 769.1 trillion, representing 20% of the State Budget, was collaboratively agreed upon by the government and the DPR’s Budget Committee. He refuted claims that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program would lead to cuts in education funding, emphasizing that the Budget Committee, led by a PDIP politician, approved this structure. Teddy also views the MBG program as a foundational element for improving the quality of education.
Conversely, MY Esti Wijayati, Vice Chairperson of DPR Commission X from the PDIP Faction, stated that Rp 223.5 trillion of the total Rp 769 trillion education budget is explicitly earmarked for the MBG program. This allocation is documented in the 2026 State Budget Law appendix, clarifying that MBG funding is integrated within the existing education budget.