President Forms MBG Program Coordination Team, Members Of The DPR Ask For Ombudsman Recommendations To Be Followed Up

The photo archive - Officers are sorting the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) menu in the kitchen of the Palmerah Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), West Jakarta, Tuesday (23/9/2025). ANTARA/Risky Syukur/aa.

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto officially formed a Coordination Team for the Implementation of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) through a Presidential Decree (Keppres) issued on Wednesday, October 29.

Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfa, said that his party supports the formation of the team as an effort to tighten governance and anticipate various problems in the implementation of the program.

However, Neng Eem asked the Coordination Team for the Implementation of the MBG Program to coordinate with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), and follow up on the Ombudsman's recommendations regarding the program.

One of them is asking the government to immediately regulate the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program so that there is no confusion at its implementation level, especially regarding the specific legal basis.

"The Ombudsman's recommendation should not be underestimated because it is based on rapid assessment and is an improvement step in carrying out the MBG program," Neng Eem told reporters, Thursday, October 30.

According to Neng Eem, the coordination team can carry out daily monitoring, map problems, and immediately find solutions. He hopes that the team will move quickly and tactically in ensuring the distribution of food is safe for students.

"We support the establishment of the Coordination Team for the Implementation of the MBG Program because it brings fresh air to program improvements that have been going on for cases. We certainly don't want poisoning to continue and have an impact on children," he said.

The latest poisoning cases were recorded in Lembang, West Bandung Regency, West Java. As of Wednesday, October 29 morning, the total number of victims reached 124 people, including a number of teachers. The incident began on Tuesday, October 28, when students from four schools in the Cibodas area experienced nausea and vomiting after eating the MBG menu.

Neng Eem also emphasized that a thorough evaluation, investigation, and sanctions are needed to provide a deterrent effect to parties who are proven responsible for cases of poisoning.

"We are certainly concerned because similar incidents continue to repeat itself," said the PKB legislator from the West Java electoral district.

Neng Eem also appreciated President Prabowo's steps which will also issue two MBG implementation rules, namely the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on Governance of the Implementation of MBG and Presidential Decree on Organizational Structures and Work Procedures of the National Nutrition Agency.

"If BGN runs, the coordination team monitors daily, and two Presidential Regulations are issued, this is a complete package. There should be no more cases of poisoning. All parties must work optimally to provide the best nutrition for children according to the mandate of the President," said Neng Eem.