BGN Chief Vows No More Secret Meetings on Free Nutritious Meal Programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Sudaryono, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), has affirmed that there will be no more meetings conducted in secret regarding the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG), emphasising transparency in improving the governance of this national priority programme.
“As I said earlier, if people whisper to each other, hold secret meetings, four-eyes-only discussions — let us just do everything in the open. Indonesia is bright; there is no need for darkness. Things done in the dark are usually suspicious, I believe,” he said at the BGN office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, after being inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto.
He stressed the importance of working for the people and using common sense in running the MBG Programme, both towards BGN staff internally, partners, Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), and the wider public.
“My principle, as I said, is love your people and use your common sense. So, we work from a good heart, loving the people, loving our fellow human beings, family and relatives, and we use common sense,” he said.
“People very easily create sensations around the MBG theme, going viral, perhaps feeling proud. But my point is, no matter how viral something is, there is no problem — however, I want what is reported or uploaded to be the truth. If there is a violation, let the violation be reported truthfully; we must not allow hoaxes or slander,” he continued.
Speaking at a press conference following the inauguration ceremony at the State Palace, Sudaryono also affirmed that neither he nor his family own any free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchen.
He presented this fact to make clear there is no conflict of interest between himself, his family, and the implementation of the MBG Programme. Sudaryono has sworn not to tolerate in the slightest any corrupt practices, dodgy dealings, or petty pilfering within the BGN or in connection with the MBG programme.
On that occasion, he explained that MBG is a priority programme with a large budget and national coverage. As a result, its implementation must be run transparently and accountably, with every policy answerable to the public.