Combating "Aji Mumpung" with a Sense of Shame

This is a column, and the entire content and opinions represent the personal views of the author and do not reflect the editorial stance.

Several days ago, a social media post went viral showing 125 ml packs of milk from the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme being sold in a minimarket. The packaging clearly stated in capital letters “FREE MILK MBG PROGRAMME” with a dark blue border and “NOT FOR SALE” with a red border. The viral post clearly showed that the milk was a product of PT Ultrajaya Milk Industry & Trading Co Tbk. Besides having several flagship products, such as Ultra Milk, Ultra Sweetened Condensed Milk, Ultra Mimi, Original Tamarind Juice, and Green Bean Juice, the company has also launched a new product called School Milk since the MBG programme began. That new product is to support MBG and is not commercialised in the market.

Of course, the post provoked public responses. As the institution responsible for the MBG programme, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) assured that the viral product was not a BGN product. Deputy Head of BGN Nanik Sudaryati Deyang explained that BGN has never produced special milk.

Meanwhile, according to PT Ultrajaya, the incident was suspected to be the work of rogue suppliers.

It is truly concerning. Clearly labelled “not for sale”, yet there are parties who exploit the opportunity for personal gain, which PT Ultrajaya called “rogue suppliers”.

However, we need not be surprised. In this country, dishonest behaviour thrives, which in Javanese is called “aji mumpung”.

The MBG programme, with its super-jumbo budget, is certainly eyed by many parties. Among those eyeing it, I believe, there are not a few in the “aji mumpung” group. Various modi operandi, so it is not surprising that various complaints about MBG emerge, which I think result from “aji mumpung” practices.

In Javanese, “aji” means value, price, or interest. The word “mumpung” means while there is an opportunity. Literally, “aji mumpung” can be interpreted as exploiting the existing opportunity for one’s own interest. In everyday conversation, the expression “aji mumpung” is actually thrown as moral criticism. It is uttered to mock negative, dishonest behaviour, especially when someone is in a position of power. Morally viewed negatively, because it refers to behaviour of taking personal gain improperly when having power or access; exploiting position, situation, or momentum; acting opportunistically without considering ethics or propriety.