BGN Urged To Improve MBG System, Not Dedicate SPPG
Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives Yahya Zaini rejected the discourse of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) which opens up opportunities for criminalization of kitchen managers of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) or SPPG following the rampant cases of poisoning in various regions.
He assessed that the root of the problem lies in the governance of BGN which is too close to the target quantity, but ignores the quality and aspects of food safety.
"BGN is too ambitious to pursue the target quantity but ignores the quality and safety aspects of food. Therefore, I reject any criminalization of problematic SPPGs," he said in a written statement, Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The politician from the Golkar Party faction assessed that the more urgent step was to improve the system, standard operating procedures (SOP), and tighten supervision in the field.
This is because the SPPG as the implementing partner of a program is in the form of a foundation with conditions and understanding that vary widely against food safety standards.
'Repair the system and SOP first, carry out strict supervision in the field. Because the SPPG is in the form of a foundation, the conditions and understanding of food safety are very varied," he added.
On the other hand, Yahya continues to support the policy so that the problematic SPPG is temporarily suspended while waiting for the results of a comprehensive investigation.
However, BGN must also not give up on the responsibility of the victim.
Moreover, BGN has placed nutritionists in each MBG kitchen.
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Dia menilai, mereka seharusnya menjadi pihak pertama yang dimintai pertanggungjawaban atas insiden keracunan.
“Hal ini termasuk investigasi untuk menemukan penyebab utama terjadinya kasus keracunan yang harus dievaluasi oleh BGN. Bila semua itu sudah dilakukan, saya yakin tidak akan ada keracunan lagi,” tutup Yahya.
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He considered that they should be the first parties to be held accountable for the poisoning incident.
"This includes an investigation to find the main cause of the poisoning case that must be evaluated by BGN. If all of that has been done, I am sure there will be no more poisoning," concluded Yahya.