Head Of BGN Regarding The Proposal Of MBG Funds Diverted To Disasters: That's The President's Authority

Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Prof. Dadan Hindayana/ANTARA

JAKARTA - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Dadan Hindayana, responded to the DPR RI's suggestion that the funds not be absorbed by the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program be temporarily diverted for disaster victims in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

Dadan emphasized that the decision to transfer MBG funds was under the authority of President Prabowo Subianto which was carried out by the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

"That is the authority of the President," Dadan told reporters, Thursday, December 11.

"And, administratively it is carried out by the Minister of Finance," he continued.

In fact, said Dadan, BGN is currently in the process of submitting an Additional Expenditure Budget (ABT). However, Dadan still fully submitted the decision on the MBG fund to the central government.

"BGN is in the process of ABT," he said.

Previously, the Chairman of Commission V of the DPR from the PDIP faction, Lasarus, suggested that the government divert the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) budget which was not absorbed for aid funds for victims of the Sumatran disaster. This step is needed to accelerate post-disaster management in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra areas.

"If you want, where are the funds still available, so I talked about it yesterday, already spent the money in BI. Then maybe some in MBG are not absorbed up to this date, for example there are still hundreds of billions left, for example MBG that have not been absorbed. Or how many trillions have not been absorbed, for example. Yes, all allocate them to disaster locations," said Lasarus at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 9.

Lasarus assessed that government assistance of Rp. 4 billion per district, and Rp. 20 billion per province was too small. This is because many areas are isolated because their main access is cut off, not to mention the many budget cuts for the region.

"I think the government should give strength to the regions today. Yesterday, the President received information to help IDR 4 billion per district. IDR 4 billion per district is nothing, if it's for the field," said Lasarus.

"Yes, right? We just made a big one, for the river, it could be Rp. 4 billion. Right? How many bridges were broken, roads were destroyed, houses were damaged. Then we all know the regional fiscal, DAK was cut, DAU was cut, I said what this is," continued the PDIP legislator for the West Kalimantan electoral district.

Lasarus revealed that he received information from the Minister of Public Works that the recovery of Padang City needed a budget of Rp. 13 trillion. So according to him, the Rp. 4 billion budget is still far from being restored.

"Rp13 trillion only for West Sumatra, not Aceh is more severe, you know. Aceh is worse than West Sumatra. Then also North Sumatra, it is also slightly different from Aceh. This must require a larger reconstruction," he said.