The delegation, represented by Faizal Cahya Adhyaksa, won third place in the 2025 National Critical Essay Competition (NACE) organized by the Institute for Scientific Studies of the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia (LK2 FHUI). The competition, themed “Between Cost-Cutting and Public Service: Assessing the Impact of Budget Efficiency,” brought together law students from various universities across Indonesia.
For the competition, the UGM Faculty of Law delegation wrote an essay titled “The Urgency of a Legal Analysis of Budget Efficiency Policies and the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) in the Implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 (Inpres 1/2025).” This essay highlights the importance of balancing state budget efficiency with the fulfillment of the public’s basic rights, particularly the free nutritious meals program, which is directly linked to food security and social welfare.
Under the guidance of Dhea Praja Gupta as their advisor, the UGM delegation successfully presented their work before the panel of judges in the final round held at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia, on September 13, 2025, after previously advancing through the Document Screening Round, which took place online from July 8–16, 2025.
The issues raised in Faizal Cahya Adhyaksa’s essay align with the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The free nutritious meals program is part of efforts to support SDG 2: Zero Hunger by ensuring that the public—especially children—has access to adequate nutrition. Furthermore, budget efficiency policies that prioritize the people’s basic needs support SDG 1: No Poverty as well as SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. From a governance perspective, criticism and legal analysis of fiscal policies strengthen SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as they promote transparency, accountability, and public participation in the policy-making process.
This achievement demonstrates the contribution of students at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, in providing sharp academic perspectives that are also relevant to the needs of society. By winning third place in the 2025 NACE Competition, the Faculty of Law, UGM, has once again reaffirmed its role in shaping a younger generation that is attuned to social, economic, and legal issues with far-reaching implications for sustainable development in Indonesia.
Author: Delegation of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM)
