Decentralization Of Authority Is Needed To Overcome The MBG Crisis

Illustration of decentralization of authority needed to overcome the MBG crisis. (Ist)

Regional governments (Pemda) are asked to be proactive and alert in mitigating and overcoming the crisis that befell the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program that has occurred in various regions recently.

In addition, it is time for the decentralization of authority from the central government to local governments.

"The local government must be given direct authority to oversee the kitchen of MBG providers, assign nutritionists and monitor distribution to school consumption," said Nusa Cendana University academic Ricky Ekaputra Foeh, Sunday, September 28, 2025.

According to him, this model can imitate the pattern of handling the COVID-19 pandemic, when local governments are given ample space to move Puskesmas, Posyandu, and local Task Force. As a result, the response becomes faster, more contextual, and according to regional conditions.

"BGN still holds national standards, but field executions are carried out by local governments. Co-government like this is more effective, because public nutrition and health problems cannot only be controlled from the center," he added.

Ricky highlighted the importance of accessing complete data for local governments, ranging from menus, kitchens, to daily distribution. Thus, supervision can be carried out in layers, where national standards by BGN (menu and nutrition), while supervision of kitchens and production, as well as monitoring of consumption and the risk of poisoning by local governments.

The experience when Covid-19 proves that the local government's full involvement makes policies more successful. The same principle needs to be applied in the MBG program so that it is not just a matter of food distribution, but also regarding public safety and health," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, emphasized that the regional government must be at the forefront of handling the initial MBG case. Therefore, the local government is asked to strengthen coordination with the MBG Task Force in the regions so that mitigation runs quickly and precisely.

Tito stated, if an incident occurs during the MBG program, the regional government must be the first party to respond because they have facilities such as hospitals, ambulances, health workers, and an emergency system.