Palace guarantees that the MBG program does not reduce other budgets

BANDUNG – Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Spokesperson Dedek Prayudi emphasized that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has not reduced other budgets.

“No Yes, it's actually not like that. “So don't make it seem like MBG is sacrificing others,” Dedek said in Bandung, West Java, Saturday (18/1).

Dedek explained that President Prabowo Subianto's government was refocusing its work programs. Furthermore, Dedek said that under President Joko Widodo's administration, the budget was mainly focused on massive infrastructure development.

During the time of President Prabowo, Dedek said, the focus was on human resources (HR) development, starting from MBG amounting to IDR 71 trillion and free health checks with a budget of IDR 4.7 trillion. Apart from this, the government also plans to provide free TB checks, apart from health checks for birthdays, with a budget of IDR 8 trillion.

Improving the quality of health infrastructure, such as hospitals and community health centers, he continued, was also improved during the Prabowo era with a budget of IDR 15 trillion.

“So it's not that MBG is eating something else, no. But what's happening is we've already built massive infrastructure, so now we're hijacking our APBN infrastructure. Now refocusing to human development. “While infrastructure is still under construction, it is only now that the role of the private sector is being strengthened,” he explained.

IKN Commitment
Dedek said one of the parts of the budget that decreased was for the development of Indonesian Capital City (IKN), East Kalimantan. Currently, development in this area is down compared to the previous year. According to Dedek, this is normal, because currently the emphasis is on involving the private sector in development.

The massive development carried out by the government encourages the private sector, especially foreign investors, to realize the seriousness of the country in the development of IKN.

“Because there is sealing, “The APBN can only finance the development of the IKN up to tens of percent, and this is in the law, and when it is about to be sealed or has reached the upper limit, then it is time for the private sector to finance it,” Dédek said.

Despite this, he stressed that President Prabowo Subianto remains committed to the continued development of the Indonesian capital (IKN), East Kalimantan. “I emphasize that President Prabowo's commitment to the IKN is not lower than that of President Jokowi (Joko Widodo),” he said.

Dedek, or colloquially known as Uki, said his party was still visiting IKN at the end of December 2024 to see further infrastructure development in the area. According to him, one of the most sought-after developments is the Nusantara Mosque. He also stressed that there would be no slowdown in the pursuit of the IKN.

“One of the things that is accelerating the most is the construction of the Nusantara mosque, it will be an important step and there is no slowing down, there is no such thing. There is only the construction of the IKN, which was previously 100 percent APBN, over time the proportion of APBN will have to be reduced,” he said.

Furthermore, Uki said that domestic and foreign investors have seen the government's seriousness in building the IKN. According to him, capital investments for IKN continue, but they are not overly encouraged. He also denied that the National Strategic Project (PSN) that existed during the Joko Widodo era had been abolished since President Prabowo's leadership.

According to him, currently what is most emphasized is the Best Rapid Results Program (PHTC), which includes eight priorities. “During Pak Prabowo's time, it was not a national strategic project, but there were PHTCs and there were eight that focused on human resources. (PSN) was not removed, it just hasn't been promoted, everyone has their own signature, don't they, ” says Uki.

Budget diversion
Regarding the MBG budget, former member of Commission IX DPR RI Edy Wuryanto said that it is necessary to think about the sources of financing for this program. This includes encouraging diversion of the program budget to accelerate stunting reduction, as the MBG program requires a large budget.

“Indeed, this budget is definitely important, which is why we encourage the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) not to operate alone. It can be put in synergy with the Ministry of Health, so that part of the funding for the BGN can come from the Ministry of Health. “, said Edy Wuryanto during a media debate titled “The Important Role of Milk in Free Food (MBG)”, in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Then, he added, the BKKBN budget, especially the one for stunting, seems very large. Even before that, there were budgets for specific interventions and sensitive interventions. “The sensitive (budget) intervention is very large, hundreds of billions of rupees. So now it is concentrated on one door in the kitchen (SPPG), so it is exactly on target,” said Edy Wuryanto.

On this occasion, he also expressed support for the speech on the use of BUMN CSR funds.

“Including public companies that have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds instead of broadcasting their CSR everywhere, we must campaign for this CSR to be used to support the kitchens of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) , including corporate philanthropic funds. , foundations-religious foundations, from any source can generous, loves to give,” said Edy Wuryanto.