Baznas and Ministry of Population and Family Development Collaborate to Prevent Stunting in Lebak, Banten

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas) of Indonesia and the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) are collaborating to prevent stunting in Lebak, Banten. This collaboration is being realised through the Saba Budaya Mendukbangga activity, which focuses on monitoring the Bangga Kencana Programme and MBG 3B in Leuwidamar, Lebak, Banten, taking place from 30 April to 1 May 2026. Chairman of Baznas RI, Sodik Mudjahid, stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that this collaboration directly targets families with children at risk of stunting as an intervention to reduce stunting rates in the area. “The collaboration with Kemendukbangga is a strong commitment from Baznas to eradicate stunting in Indonesia. We deliberately reach out to the interior of Lebak so that nutritional interventions and assistance are on target for high-risk families,” he said. “Through the continuous distribution of the Sehat Bertumbuh package, we hope that children in Leuwidamar grow with optimal nutrition. This is a real effort to support the government’s programme to produce a healthy, strong, and intelligent generation,” he added. Meanwhile, the Head of Baznas for Distribution, Utilisation, and Empowerment, Idy Muzayyad, emphasised that this aid programme is a tangible form of utilising zakat, infak, and sedekah (ZIS) funds. “The funds entrusted by muzaki are optimised for programmes that have a crucial impact on the nation’s future, one of which is eradicating stunting. We ensure that the entire distribution process runs directed, measured, and truly reaches the community groups that need it most,” said Idy. The Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of BKKBN RI, Wihaji, also directly visited the Baduy indigenous community to see the conditions of the residents there. He stated that this visit is an effort to expand the MBG Programme for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers as a concrete step by the government to accelerate stunting eradication. Wihaji assessed that implementing the stunting eradication programme in this area has its own challenges. This is because the Baduy tribe community still strictly upholds and adheres to their ancestral customs. “Checks will be carried out in the Baduy Dalam area, as part of the state’s commitment to ensure that all citizens, including indigenous communities, receive government services,” said Wihaji.