Jakarta, February 10, 2026 — The Government of Indonesia has identified serious challenges in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Premium Assistance Recipient program (PBI JKN), particularly related to the accuracy of beneficiary targeting.
Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that a significant portion of PBI JKN recipients are not economically eligible to receive the assistance. Speaking at a meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday, February 9, 2026, the Minister stated that approximately 41 percent of PBI JKN beneficiaries fall within economic deciles 6 to 10, which are outside the intended recipient category.
“There are still around 41 percent of PBI JKN recipients in deciles 6 to 10 who should not be classified as PBI JKN beneficiaries,” Minister Purbaya said.
Based on data presented during the meeting, only around 59 percent of the PBI JKN allocation in the 2026 State Budget (APBN) is currently benefiting the poor and vulnerable population classified in deciles 1 to 5. The remaining recipients are considered economically capable and no longer meet the eligibility criteria for government-funded health insurance assistance.
Despite these challenges, Minister Purbaya emphasized that the 2026 State Budget remains expansive and fiscally sustainable, designed to support the government’s eight priority agendas, including improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare services nationwide.
The government has allocated Rp247.3 trillion for the health sector in 2026, representing a 13.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. This allocation includes full support for the National Health Insurance (JKN) program, covering premium payments for 96.8 million participants.
According to the Minister, the increase in the health budget reflects the government’s constitutional obligation to safeguard public health and to protect citizens from the financial burden of healthcare costs.
In addition to health spending, the government estimates that Rp897.6 trillion of the 2026 State Budget will directly benefit the public through various social protection and economic empowerment programs. These include the Free Nutritious Meals Program, energy subsidies and compensation, People’s Business Credit (KUR), and other social assistance initiatives, including PBI JKN premium support.
However, inaccuracies in beneficiary data have led to public concern. Minister Purbaya noted that in February 2026, the deactivation and replacement of PBI JKN participants reached approximately 11 million people, or nearly 10 percent of total participants—a figure significantly higher than in previous periods, when changes affected fewer than one million people.
He stressed that the resulting public unrest was not caused by budget reductions, as funding levels remained unchanged. Instead, the issues stemmed from weaknesses in participant data management, operational readiness, and insufficient public communication regarding changes in PBI JKN status.
The government, he added, is committed to improving data accuracy and strengthening coordination to ensure that social assistance programs are delivered fairly, effectively, and in line with their intended objectives.
