BGN chief explains why SPPG heads must be present from 2 a.m.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono has explained why heads of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) must be present at the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchen from 2 a.m.

The man familiarly known as Mas Dar explained that SPPG must be on standby during critical hours because many fatal incidents or cases of food poisoning have been experienced by beneficiaries due to SPPG’s failure to comply with standard operating procedures (SOP).

“And in some of those findings, the SPPG head was not even on site. He is the leader in that kitchen and must ensure the SOP is followed. Therefore, we have issued a circular stating that the working hours for ASN PPPK SPPG heads are the kitchen’s operational hours, from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., plus an additional two hours in the afternoon when raw materials are received,” he said on Sudaryono’s official channel, quoted from Jakarta on Friday.

Mas Dar stressed that all SPPG heads are required to implement the MBG Programme SOP, from storage procedures, wearing gloves while monitoring the cooking and portioning process, to wearing head coverings to maintain hygiene. He also threatened to dishonourably dismiss any SPPG head who fails to attend the kitchen for 10 consecutive days.

In addition to ensuring SPPG heads are present during critical hours, BGN has also implemented a layered monitoring system, whereby all BGN central staff down to coordinators at the sub-district level must attend virtual meetings during the critical operational hours of SPPG.

“Simply assigning working hours is not enough, so we carry out monitoring during those critical hours. The Head of the Agency, the Deputy Head, down to coordinators at the sub-district level, including kitchen heads, join Zoom during those critical hours. Backgrounds are not allowed, so it is clear whether someone is in the kitchen or in their bedroom. Those who do not attend receive a warning,” he said.

He noted that to date, BGN has dishonourably dismissed 66 MBG kitchen heads, one of the reasons being their failure to attend the kitchen for 10 consecutive days in accordance with civil service regulations.