7 Nutrition Service Units in Banda Aceh Halt Free Nutritious Meal Operations Due to Unreleased Funds
Seven Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in Banda Aceh suspended the operations of their kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme starting Monday (8/6). This temporary suspension occurred because operational funds from the central National Nutrition Agency (BGN) have not yet been received by the kitchen managers.
Muhammad Reza, the Coordinator of SPPG for the Banda Aceh region, stated that the funds previously used to run kitchen activities have been exhausted, while the replacement funds, which are typically sent periodically, have not yet reached the managers’ accounts. “The fund balance has not been sent, so the primary funds used to carry out kitchen operations are gone. Currently, they are still waiting for a top-up from the central BGN,” Reza told reporters on Monday.
According to Reza, out of the total 37 MBG kitchens operating in Banda Aceh, only seven kitchens are affected and forced to halt services. Other kitchens can still operate as they possess remaining funds to cover daily operational needs.
He explained that food distribution operations for Monday required preparation starting the previous day; however, because funds were unavailable, several kitchens were unable to purchase raw materials or prepare food production for the student beneficiaries. “If operations are for Monday, preparations are done on Sunday. Without preparation, the programme cannot be implemented,” he said.
Reza noted that the managers chose not to use a ‘bridging loan’ system from food supplier partners. This policy was adopted to avoid administrative issues or the potential for price mark-ups that could arise from purchasing through a debt mechanism.
Reza added that the central BGN has directed kitchens to temporarily halt operations if funds are unavailable. Currently, the coordinators are only informing the beneficiary schools that MBG distribution cannot proceed due to funding constraints. Reza admitted he received information that funds would be transferred today, but they are still awaiting the disbursement process. “If the funds do not arrive today, other kitchens may also stop operating tomorrow as their reserves will also run out,” he warned.
Previously, the Head of the BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, denied circulating information regarding the suspension of MBG programme fund disbursements that could impact SPPG operations. The BGN emphasised that such information is incorrect and that all MBG services in various regions continue to operate according to the mechanisms established by the government.
“We emphasise that the information stating that the BGN ordered the suspension of MBG kitchen operations is untrue. There is no policy or official instruction from the BGN regarding the cessation of operations,” Nanik stated in an official statement on Monday.
She acknowledged that there are administrative dynamics in the budget disbursement process, but asserted that these conditions do not affect the continuity of the programme, which is one of the government’s priority initiatives. Nanik also requested all implementing partners, foundations, SPPG managers, suppliers, and the public to refer only to official information released through the agency’s communication channels. “If there are obstacles in the field, we ask all partners to coordinate through official channels. Do not use information that does not originate from official sources as a basis for operational decision-making,” she said.