Commission IX of the DPR Honors the Appointment of Sudaryono as Head of BGN, Soroti Rangkap Jabatan Wamentan

Wamentan Sudaryono/DOK ANTARA

Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Nurhadi, respects President Prabowo Subianto's decision to appoint Sudaryono as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). According to him, the appointment is the prerogative of the President who is believed to have gone through various considerations.

Nurhadi hopes that the new leadership at BGN will be a momentum to accelerate the improvement of the institution's governance while ensuring that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program runs more effectively, transparently, accountable, and targeted.

"We respect the decision of President Prabowo Subianto who has appointed Mr. Sudaryono as the Head of the National Nutrition Agency. We hope that this new leadership will be able to accelerate the improvement of the governance of the BGN while ensuring that the Free Nutritional Meal Program runs more effectively, transparently, accountable, and targeted," said Nurhadi to reporters, Wednesday, July 22.

As a working partner of BGN, Nurhadi assessed that the institution still faces a number of major challenges. Starting from the settlement of arrears of payment to partner providers, acceleration of budget absorption, strengthening of governance and supervision systems, to ensuring the quality and safety of food for millions of beneficiaries. According to Nurhadi, all of these issues require strong leadership, focus, and the ability to work quickly so that the implementation of MBG runs optimally.

On the other hand, he also highlighted Sudaryono's position, which until now is still serving as Deputy Minister of Agriculture. He assessed that this condition needed attention because it had the potential to affect the effectiveness of carrying out two strategic positions at once.

"BGN currently manages a very large budget and runs one of the national priority programs that directly touches the interests of the community. Therefore, full attention is needed," he said.

However, Nurhadi admitted that Sudaryono's experience in the agricultural sector could be an added value in strengthening the national food supply chain. The synergy between the agricultural sector and the MBG Program is considered important to mobilize farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, to food MSMEs as well as strengthening the regional economy.

However, he emphasized that the synergy must be carried out with good governance, transparent, and free from potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, Commission IX of the DPR asked the government to provide certainty regarding the mechanism for implementing the two positions held by Sudaryono so as not to overlap authority or reduce the effectiveness of decision-making.

"If the dual position is in accordance with the applicable provisions, then it must be ensured that it does not interfere with the performance of the BGN. However, if in its implementation it actually hinders the effectiveness of the Free Nutritious Meal Program, it must be evaluated objectively for the public's benefit," he said.

Nurhadi also hopes that the new leadership at BGN can rebuild public confidence. According to him, various problems that arise in the implementation of MBG must be used as a material for a thorough evaluation so that the change of leadership is not merely a change of figure, but produces system improvements, increased accountability, and better services.

He also emphasized that Commission IX of the DPR would continue to carry out its oversight functions to the maximum extent while supporting every step of improvement that is in the public interest.

"The measure of the success of the new Head of BGN lies not in who is leading, but in his ability to solve various problems, improve institutional governance, ensure food security, fulfill obligations to partners, and ensure that the Free Nutritious Meal Program really benefits the people," he concluded.