Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the National Nutrition Agency and the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit to conduct daily evaluations and coordination in the rollout of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
KPAI Deputy Chairman Jasra Putra acknowledged the program's positive intent, especially amid the widespread availability of children's snacks that lack proper nutritional value.
"However, this noble purpose must be accompanied by strict supervision and community involvement so that the Free Nutritious Meals can continue to run well," Jasra said in a written statement received by Tempo on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Jasra highlighted several issues that have marred the program's implementation, including food poisoning incidents and unpaid public kitchen partners, stressing that such problems should no longer occur.
He added that the program must be carried out with transparency, collaboration, and inclusive involvement of all stakeholders to ensure both accountability and quality.
"We also ask National Nutrition Agency to involve independent experts and beneficiaries in policy, programs, financing, and the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals implementation," he said.
The call for tighter oversight comes after another poisoning incident linked to the program, which left 176 residents and 78 students ill. Similar cases had previously occurred in Sukoharjo, Central Java, and Bandung, West Java.
National Nutrition Agency Head Dadan Hindayana stated the agency is awaiting microbiological lab test results from food samples.
"Still waiting for the results for the food samples," said Dadan.
He added that water and utensil tests in Cianjur showed no issues.
"The results of the water and utensil tests, no problem. It's just that we are still waiting for the results of the samples," said the IPB University professor.
Responding to KPAI's recommendations, Dadan affirmed that BGN remains committed to ongoing evaluations and coordination.
"Those routine activities (evaluation and coordination)," he said.