TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Acting Governor of Jakarta, Teguh Setyabudi, announced that the Jakarta Provincial Government is prepared to contribute to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, particularly in terms of budget allocation.

“If assigned, Jakarta is ready to contribute to the budget,” said Teguh in the Jakarta City Hall on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Teguh explained that the budget required for the MBG program also includes funding for Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG). He elaborated that if each SPPG requires Rp3 billion, Jakarta has allocated a budget of Rp459 billion to support the establishment of 153 SPPGs within the city.

“We are prepared with a budget of Rp459 billion to jointly support the MBG program,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya, clarified that the use of the Regional Budget (APBD) to support the Free Nutritious Meals program is voluntary. He emphasized that the use of APBD funds for President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program will be adjusted based on the fiscal capacity of each region.

“It is not mandatory, but highly encouraged, and really depends on the fiscal capacity of each region,” Bima said in the Jakarta City Hall on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Bima explained that regions with robust fiscal capacity typically possess regional income exceeding the transfer of funds from the central government. He cited Badung Regency in Bali as an example of a region with substantial regional income, making it suitable to support funding for free nutritious meals.

Previously, Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, announced that the free meal program would utilize the APBD. He reported that 413 regencies and 93 cities across all provinces have expressed interest in participating in President Prabowo's flagship program.

Hammam Izzuddin and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor’s Choice: Indonesia Needs $6 Billion More in Budget to Fast-track Free Meals Program

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News