KPK Head Titip Message to BGN: MBG Program Must Be Precisely Targeted

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Agustina Arumsari/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Agustina Arumsari said there were a number of messages conveyed by the Head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) when carrying out an audience related to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. One of them, reminded the beneficiaries to be targeted.

"We of course as the head of BGN now want BGN to be better in the future, the MBG program is better. It was also in line with the messages from the KPK leadership to be more targeted," Agustina told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, July 7.

"There are several notes from the leadership to make the beneficiaries more focused and so on. I noted that we will follow up further," he continued.

Furthermore, Agustina ensured that all improvements that were homework would be monitored by the anti-corruption commission through the KPK Prevention and Monitoring Directorate.

In addition, his agency has also formed a team to follow up on improvement recommendations to prevent corruption.

"Of course we believe that the KPK will not be what, yes, it will be finished with the documents we submitted. But they want to see more concrete on what we will do later. Not solely on what is written, but on what we will do later," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring of the KPK Aminuddin said the discussion between his agency and BGN was productive.

"In essence, BGN today discusses the action plan that will be carried out by BGN friends to follow up on the study that has been carried out by the KPK," he said at the same location.

"And later of course we from the Department of Prevention and Monitoring will supervise, assist, and monitor the implementation of the action plan."

As previously reported, the KPK has identified a number of vulnerable points in the implementation of the MBG Program. One of them is related to the use of the Government Assistance (Banper) mechanism which is considered to have the potential to extend the bureaucratic chain, increase the risk of conflicts of interest, and weaken the transparency and accountability of budget management.

The KPK also highlighted the approach that was too centered on the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). This condition is considered to have the potential to reduce the role of local governments in supervision and weaken the checks and balances mechanism in determining partners, kitchen locations, and the implementation of programs in the field.

In addition, the potential for conflicts of interest in determining the nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) partners, the weak financial reporting system, and the lack of optimal food safety supervision are also included in the list of risks found.

Based on these findings, the KPK recommends the preparation of a more comprehensive regulation, at least at the level of the Presidential Regulation, to regulate the governance of the MBG Program in a comprehensive manner.

The KPK also encourages an evaluation of the Banper mechanism, strengthening the role of local governments, the preparation of clear SOPs and SLA in determining partners, and the active involvement of the Health Service and BPOM in food safety supervision.

In addition, the KPK asked for the establishment of a standard financial reporting and verification system to prevent fictitious reports, mark up the budget, and irregularities in the disbursement of program funds.

Not only that, the indicators of the success of the MBG Program are also asked to be formulated in a measurable manner so that the impact of the program on improving the nutritional status of the beneficiaries can be evaluated continuously.