"The figure is quite large. We will ensure the optimal use of the budget to benefit the public, especially for equitable health services across the country," said Charles Honoris, deputy chairman of Commission IX.
On August 15, President Prabowo Subianto announced the health and employment budget allocations for 2026 during his state address before parliament. The health budget has been set at Rp244 trillion (around US$15.1 billion).
Honoris stressed that the funding must be fully utilized to enhance healthcare services.
He also highlighted the need to increase the number of healthcare workers, including general practitioners and specialists, to match the expanded budget.
Commission IX will continue to monitor the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), noting that as of August 2025, only 14 percent of the current year's target had been realized. The MBG budget is expected to rise to Rp335 trillion in 2026.
"With such a large budget, we want to ensure its coverage, especially considering recent mass food poisoning cases in several regions. Next year, the BGN must improve the system to ensure food quality," Honoris said.
The commission will also oversee employment programs, emphasizing that the government's goal of reducing the unemployment rate to 4.76 percent and creating 3.6 million new jobs by 2025 has yet to be fully achieved.
Honoris urged the government to implement stronger economic stimulus and concrete job creation initiatives.
"We will not stop criticizing programs that harm the public, while supporting good programs to run optimally," he added, reaffirming Commission IX's balanced approach to its legislative, budgeting, and oversight duties.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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