JustUpdateOnline.com – Jakarta, The Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah has formally requested the Constitutional Court (MK) to issue a temporary suspension of the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. The prominent Islamic organization is calling for a complete operational pause to allow for a comprehensive review of how the initiative is being managed and funded.
This legal move comes as the program’s financial framework within the 2026 State Budget (APBN) faces a judicial review. Busyro Muqoddas, Muhammadiyah’s head of Law, Human Rights, and Public Policy, expressed deep concerns regarding the project’s transparency. He argued that the flagship initiative, championed by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, was launched without sufficient public disclosure or accessible feasibility studies.
According to Muqoddas, the current execution of the meal scheme has encountered significant hurdles that undermine its goals. He pointed to reports of food-related health incidents among beneficiaries and concerns over potential financial irregularities. In his view, the risks associated with the program currently overshadow its intended advantages, making a temporary freeze necessary to prevent further issues.
The judicial review filed by Muqoddas specifically challenges the use of the national education budget to bankroll the nutrition plan. He characterized the petition as a "civilized" and constitutional method of holding the government accountable. While Muhammadiyah remains a proponent of improving child nutrition, they have voiced a preference for the decentralized, community-based models already utilized by their own educational institutions, which prioritize parental involvement and local transparency.
Addressing the government’s suggestion to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support the program in remote areas, Muqoddas insisted that the primary issue is not the source of money but the lack of scientific and ethical governance. He cautioned against turning the public into political tools through poorly managed welfare cycles.
In response to the growing scrutiny, the Indonesian government has indicated that it is in the process of refining the program’s management. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi clarified that the administration is currently working with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the Ministry of Finance to recalculate the exact funding requirements for the 2026 budget, which was initially estimated at Rp268 trillion.
Despite the legal pressure and recent student demonstrations calling for a suspension, the administration appears determined to move forward. Muhammad Qodari, head of the Government Communication Office, reaffirmed that the Free Nutritious Meal program will continue, asserting that the government is committed to optimizing the initiative while addressing the criticisms raised by various stakeholders.
