DPR Asks For MBG Food Toxic Cases In NTT To Be Completely Investigated

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Nihayatul Wafiroh, asked law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the alleged negligence of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) provider which resulted in 215 students in East Nusa Tenggara experiencing mass poisoning. Nihayatul emphasized that the incident could injure the government's big mission of educating the nation's life.

"Don't let the government's good programs be tarnished just because of negligence in the election and monitoring the food menu," Nihayatul told reporters, Friday, July 25.

"Giving food carelessly to students is a form of neglect to the future of the nation's generation," he said.

The legislator from the East Java III electoral district also asked the National Food Agency (Bapanas/BGN) to be more serious, thorough, and responsible in supervising each menu that will be served to students, especially in the nutritious food assistance program. According to Nihayatul, supervision must be carried out not only in NTT, but also in all areas receiving similar programs.

"We urge BGN to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of food supply partners. Do a thorough check to other areas, don't wait for a similar incident to happen. This is a matter of the safety and future of our children," said the woman who is familiarly called Ninik.

The general chairman of the National Women's DPP also emphasized the importance of synergy between the central and regional governments, including the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), the Health Office and the Education Office, so that food quality and safety standards are strictly maintained. Ninik asked for the synergy between the MBG manager and BPOM and related parties to be improved.

"The nutritious food program is an investment in the nation's future. Do not let it become a source of disease because it is neglected to be monitored," he concluded.

It is known, in the last two days, at least 215 students in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) experienced symptoms of mass poisoning after eating food from the MBG program.

The incident spread in two areas, as many as 140 students of SMPN 8 Kupang and 75 students from three schools in Southwest Sumba Regency.

Symptoms reported include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and itching, so that a number of students must be rushed to various hospitals in their respective areas.