Jakarta, Feb. 27 -- Indonesia's Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on Friday dismissed claims that the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has led to cuts in the education budget.

He said allegations that the MBG program has reduced education funding, leaving schools and teachers neglected, are unfounded.

"Some claim that the MBG program reduces education programs and budgets, resulting in neglected schools and teachers. I want to clarify that this claim is false," he said.

Teddy noted that the 2026 education budget - amounting to 20 percent of the State Budget, or Rp769 trillion (nearly US$49 billion) - was jointly approved by the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) last year, including detailed allocation...