Regarding The Number Of Cases Of Toxic MBG, Prabowo: Don't Politicize

President Prabowo Subianto (center) accompanied by the Red and White cabinet gave a statement to reporters when he arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Saturday (27/9/2025). (Photo: ANTARA)

After returning to the country, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto asked that cases of poisoning in the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program in a number of areas not be politicized.

"You have to be vigilant, don't let this be politicized," Prabowo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, September 27.

Presiden Prabowo mengatakan dirinya baru kembali dari kunjungan luar negeri selama tujuh hari, namun terus memantau perkembangan kasus tersebut.

The Head of State said that he would summon the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana and a number of related officials to discuss the handling of this issue.

According to the President, this problem is a big problem. He admitted that there were still shortcomings since the beginning of the implementation. However, Prabowo stated that his party would solve this problem well.

"It's a big problem, so there must be a shortage from the start. But I'm also sure that we will solve it well," he said.

The President added that the main goal of the MBG program is to help children who often have difficulty getting nutritious food.

The President gave an example that there are still many children who can only eat rice with salt. Therefore, efforts to provide food to millions of children must face obstacles that must be overcome together.

"This is what we have to overcome, to feed millions there must be obstacles, we will overcome this," he concluded.

It is known, there has been an increase in cases of poisoning after consuming MBG in a number of areas in recent weeks, resulting in many students having to get medical treatment.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is the leading sector of this program, has issued a decision regarding the anticipation of MBG poisoning cases.

Deputy Head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang emphasized that all kitchen partners who had been involved in poisoning cases had received an official notification letter.

"Today we have issued letters to all previously problematic kitchens. The verification process is now much tighter," he said, Friday (26/9).

As part of the supervision, BGN will deploy an inspection team consisting of elements of BPOM, the Health Service, and the police. This team is tasked with directly evaluating kitchen conditions and ensuring the fulfillment of standards set out in technical instructions (juknis).

"If we find a kitchen that does not meet the technical guidelines, the operation will be immediately stopped. There is no tolerance in this," he said.