MBG Program Asked To Be Environmentally Friendly, DPR Highlights Plastic Vessel

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV DPR RI Daniel Johan requested that the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program reduce the use of plastic containers for the food menu. This is so that the implementation of the MBG program is more environmentally friendly in line with the campaign for the go green movement as a form of protection for the environment and nature.

"Actually, the MBG program initiated by the Government is very good for supporting the fulfillment of children's nutrition. As input, we encourage the MBG program to go green more by reducing the use of plastic containers," said Daniel Johan, Monday, May 5.

It is known, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) recently discovered 4 problems that arise from MBG programs in several regions. One of them is inequality in service and poor quality of food.

ICW reported that there were differences in eating utensils in schools that received the MBG program where some schools received food with stainless steel containers that were safe and suitable for use, while other schools used thin plastic containers.

According to Daniel, the use of plastic containers is not in line with the anti-plastic campaign to protect the environment. Moreover, plastic containers also have the potential to contain chemicals that are dangerous when used for hot foods.

The difference in the use of food containers needs to be evaluated regarding the standardization of the implementation of the MBG program, especially in non-city areas. We hope that there will be policy integration between the Government's nutritional program and the Government's commitment to environmental sustainability," said the legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district.

Daniel also reminded about the Government's commitment to handling plastic waste with a target of reducing 70 percent of plastic waste in the sea by 2025.

"Don't let a program as good as MBG add new environmental problems because of the lack of optimal governance or operations in the field. We encourage the MBG program to also take into account ecological impacts," he said.

Therefore, Daniel supports President Prabowo Subianto's steps to continue to evaluate the MBG program. Including directions for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to prevent cases of poisoning from school children due to consumption of MBG food.

"The direction of the President must build awareness of the technical team regarding the importance of governance in the implementation of the MBG program so that in the future it will be better," said Daniel.

The member of the DPR Environment Commission hopes that the evaluation of the MBG implementation will be carried out thoroughly so that this program will be more perfect. Including, said Daniel, so that no more schools use plastic containers for the MBG food menu.

"We urge schools and MBG implementers to uniform the use of food containers, and no one else uses plastic containers because they can be harmful to children and also to the environment," he appealed.

"This includes tightening supervision of the quality of food before it is distributed to children. Considering that recently it was also reported that there were other cases of MBG food poisoning," continued Daniel.

Daniel also positively welcomed President Prabowo Subianto's steps to immediately go to the field to monitor the implementation of the MBG so that the case of food menu poisoning for children does not happen again.

"We support the zero accident target in MBG which is the Government's commitment. We will see, and monitor the progress of this improvement in the implementation of MBG. Starting from the absence of poisoning, there will be no more plastic containers circulating and found in schools," he said.

Daniel also encouraged the Ministry of Environment to sit with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the Ministry of Secondary Basic Education (Kemendikdasmen), and the Ministry of Health in order to formulate technical guidelines for the implementation of environmentally friendly MBG programs.

In addition, according to Daniel, schools also need to be empowered and given adequate funds to use re-eating equipment or a catering system with strict quality controls.

"In the midst of President Prabowo's enthusiasm to make the MBG program a mainstay of the Government, the sustainability commitment must be included in the big framework. It must be ensured that MBG meets the three main principles, is nutritious, safe and sustainable," explained Daniel.

"Indonesian children have the right to obtain proper nutrition and a healthy environment and sustainability simultaneously. This must be our joint commitment," he concluded.