BGN Takes Firm Action Against SPPG Partners Who Pretend to Be Tricked

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has taken firm action against partners of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) who have the modus of pretending to be deceived while building a kitchen to serve the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program.

"There is a modus operandi of pretending to build first, then pretending to be cheated so that you are sure to be verified, but there are also those who are really cheated, like yesterday someone came to me, 'Sir, I was cheated, my kitchen is already done, but I was cheated, I didn't get into the system'. Then, I asked, who is the cheater? If there is, report it, I want to know to distinguish between the modus and the right one," said Deputy Head of BGN Sony Sanjaya as reported by ANTARA, Friday, March 6.

Sony explained that if a prospective partner is asked who the scammer is but refuses to answer, then it can be assumed that it is only a method to get verification from BGN.

"If he doesn't want to answer, or says, 'Yes, it is, sir,' that is, then of course the modus, but if the person is really cheated, now the report has been accepted by the police, it is clear who the scammer is, soon it may be aired who the scammer is, because at least one person has Rp. 100 million in losses," he said.

Sony confirmed that BGN has closed the SPPG registration because it has met the quota to serve the MBG Program. To date, there have been more than 24 thousand SPPG standing throughout Indonesia.

"Of the 24 thousand, not one has been paid by the state budget. In other countries, free meals at schools or school meals are built by the government, but in Indonesia, the population is enthusiastic about building to succeed the MBG Program," said Sony.

All SPPGs currently have virtual accounts (VA) for finances each month. Through this system, BGN ensures that there is no potential for funds to be diverted by irresponsible individuals.

"We believe that the deviation is local, for example, people want to take money as they please, so it can't be because it is immediately visible (in the payment record), because once there is a VA, once the money comes out of the VA, there is approval from the partner and the owner of the facility directly," he said.

He explained, the head of the SPPG can not approve the proposed or budget submitted by the partner for the MBG Program.

"For example, a partner applies for the purchase of 260 kg of rice, is it appropriate, what is the quality? Premium quality, okay, is it appropriate, what is the price? SPPG has a reference price or fixed retail price determined by the Ministry of Trade. For example, it is adjusted for the beneficiary, it is submitted for Rp. 17 thousand, it turns out that it does not match the HET of Rp. 16 thousand, then he can replace his supplier," said Sony.

He emphasized that BGN does not tolerate any acts of corruption, collusion, and nepotism between partners, suppliers, and SPPG heads because there are already criminal provisions for embezzling state funds.

"That's where there is control, the head of the SPPG is the control of BGN in the region and the center," he said.