MBG Program Reaps Pro Contras From Mass Toxic Society

SDN 02 Cimareme, Ngamprah District, West Bandung Regency. (Ist)

JAKARTA - The case of mass poisoning due to the free nutritious food program (MBG) menu that occurred in West Bandung Regency became the bywords of the community so that pros and cons of the program appeared on their way.

In two days in mid-September, MBG in West Bandung Regency experienced problems in 2 sub-districts from 14 beneficiary sub-districts of the program.

The problem of mass poisoning in Cipongkor and Cihampelas sub-districts caused the Regent in West Bandung Regency to status extraordinary events on September 21-25. At least three SPPG kitchens involved in the distribution of food allegedly caused mass poisoning in West Bandung Regency have also been dismissed by the Regent.

However, the shadow is worried that the MBG program will still cover parents in West Bandung Regency. Like at SD Negeri 2 Cimareme, Ngamprah District, one of the guardians of a student named Siti admitted that she still felt a little anxiety over the poisoning incident due to the MBG menu.

However, his concern was slightly treated because of the school policy where his daughter received education to check the MBG program food menu before being eaten by students.

"If you hear from the news, you are worried about (poison). But the teachers here (SD Negeri 2 Cimareme) always check the food one by one. So before being given to students, try it with the teacher first. If something is stale, then it is not given to students. That's what makes me sure the food for my child is safe," said Siti, Saturday, September 27.

Meanwhile, Linda, her daughter who is currently in grade 2 of SD Negeri 2 Cimareme, said that although she was worried that this program would help reduce the burden on her parents.

"Ayeuna (anaya) the MBG janten program (becoming) does not burden the family to eat children at school. It is very helpful," said Linda, who lives in Cilame Village, Ngamprah District.

Linda hopes that the evaluation will be carried out and the teacher council can continue to be involved in checking before the menu is given to the students. However, if the government chooses to dismiss this program, it will not matter to him.

"If you want to continue, the wae government kumaha. Abdi, I go along (I just follow)," said Linda.

"Upaya mengadamel makan makanan tabah tilu teras dibagikan murang kalih tabah 10 atau tabah 11, eta makanan jadi ti is (if membuat makanan mulai pukul tiga dan dibaskan pukul 10 atau pukul 11, makanan jadi dingin)," sambungnya.

Meanwhile, Public Policy Expert from Pasundan University Bandung, Eki Baehaki warned of MBG's supervision and urgency for the community.

According to him, Indonesia is facing serious problems from stunting, anemia to malnutrition that can be affected by the quality of the younger generation.

A free nutritious feed in schools is a much-needed state intervention. However, noble intentions can be collapsed by fragile governance. The MBG program must continue but with radical governance improvements, "said Eki.

He assessed that the case of mass poisoning that was repeated due to MBG was a sign of a "red light".

It is fitting, he continued, to maintain cleanliness, separate raw and mature foods, cook correctly, store at safe temperatures, and use clean raw materials, to be carried out consistently in the process of presenting the MBG menu to the community. "So that the MBG program must continue to run, there must be a way of surviving the revitalization of the MBG program itself," he said.