Many Problems, Commission IX Of The House Of Representatives Proposes Alternative Management Of MBG To Be Handed Over To School

Free Nutrition Food (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Commission IX of the House of Representatives continues to highlight various problems found in the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program. Starting from the rampant mass poisoning to low budget absorption.

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Yahya Zaini assessed that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) together with the DPR and related parties must find solutions and alternatives to the management of MBG so that mass poisoning problems do not occur again. For example, appointing the school to provide an MBG menu with more guaranteed quality and fresh quality when presented to students.

"Given the many cases of poisoning, it is necessary to think about alternative MBG managed by schools with school committees," said Yahya Zaini, Monday, September 22.

Currently, MBG involves partners such as foundations and MSMEs for kitchen operations and food distribution. Yahya also suggested that management be given to each school to anticipate various existing problems, as well as because the school better understands the character of its students who receive MBG program facilities.

"Because the hygiene and safety will be guaranteed and according to the tastes of school children. They already understand the tastes of their school children," continued the Golkar legislator from the East Java VIII electoral district.

As is known, the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program, which has become a priority program for President Prabowo Subianto's government, has recently caused many problems, especially the rise of mass poisoning in various regions. From January to September 2025, at least 5,626 cases of poisoning occurred in 17 provinces.

Most recently, MBG mass poisoning occurred in the Banggai Islands Regency. Then there was also MBG poisoning in Garut, Tasikmalaya, to Bau Southeast Sulawesi. Not to mention the issue of instructions so that the MBG poisoning problem is not published or kept secret.

In addition to the poisoning problem, Yahya also highlighted the low absorption of BGN's budget. Where the MBG budget until September was only absorbed IDR 13.2 trillion or 18.6 percent of the allocation of IDR 71 trillion.

In fact, claims for the implementation of MBG have taken place in 38 provinces with 22 million beneficiaries. However, this figure cannot be verified due to the lack of information that can be accessed by the public.

In fact, the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadive has also warned BGN that if until the end of October the budget for implementing MBG is not absorbed, then his party will withdraw the allocation of funds for other purposes.

Yahya also mentioned the statement by the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana who revealed that the reason for the MBG's budget absorption was still low because many parties were not confident in the running of the program. Therefore, he asked BGN to look for alternative management of MBG so that the target of President Prabowo's flagship program can be achieved immediately.

"This is also to accelerate the achievement of the specified target. Given that BGN's budget absorption is still low at around 22 percent," said Yahya.

The chairman of the House of Representatives Health Commission also said that the third party who worked together for the implementation of the MBG could still continue. This, said Yahya, can be done while evaluating the governance of the MBG implementation.

"For foundations that have collaborated with BGN, they can still be continued while improving their food management and safety," he said.

Yahya also urged the Government to immediately improve the MBG budget reporting mechanism. If necessary, he suggested that BGN open a public complaint channel and ensure accountability for spending so that the child's right to obtain nutritious and safe food is truly fulfilled.

"Due to weak transparency and accountability, it is feared that it will increase the risk of budget misuse," concluded Yahya Zaini.

For information, today, Monday, September 22, at 13.00 WIB, Commission IX of the DPR RI is scheduled to hold a public hearing with a number of organizations that are concerned about health issues and school children. The audience and delivery of these views will also contain recommendations for the MBG program.