MBDK Tax May Apply in H2 2026 If Economy Grows Six Percent

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa told the House Committee XI on Monday 8 December 2025 that the government is keeping the option to impose a tax on sweetened packaged drinks (MBDK) in the second half of 2026. The decision will be revisited after assessing the national economic outlook.

The MBDK tax would be introduced only if Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth exceeds six percent, as projected in the 2025‑2026 state budget with an expected revenue of IDR 3.8‑7 trillion. Current data show that GDP grew 5.04 percent in the third quarter of 2025, below the government's 5.2 percent target.

Should the economy fail to reach the six‑percent threshold, the government will postpone any new tax in fiscal year 2026 and concentrate on strengthening household purchasing power and consumption. While the tax could boost state revenue, it may also raise the price of sweetened beverages for consumers.