Deputy Chief of National Nutrition Agency Takes Firm Action Against Two Nutrition Service Units in Ponorogo Claiming to be Owned by Minister's Grandchild
The Deputy Chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, has taken firm action against two Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) operated by a foundation claiming to be owned by a government minister’s grandchild. The closure followed reports from the SPPG heads in Ponorogo of sustained pressure, intimidation, and the burden of covering budget shortfalls from personal funds.
Two SPPG heads, Rizal Zulfikar Fikri from SPPG Kauman Somorto and Moch. Syafi’i Misbachul Mufid from SPPG Jambon Krebet, met with Nanik in Blitar during a National Nutrition Programme (MBG) socialisation and evaluation event to lodge complaints about months of pressure from the foundation overseeing both units.
“These two SPPG heads from Ponorogo travelled all the way to Blitar to meet me seeking protection,” Nanik stated.
According to the SPPG heads’ complaints, the foundation also manipulated food purchases. With a budget allocation of Rp10,000 per meal, the foundation spent only Rp6,500, forcing the SPPG heads to cover the shortfall from their own pockets. “I have no choice but to help the students. I feel sorry for them,” Mufid said, holding back tears.
Nanik characterised the foundation’s treatment as deeply inhumane, noting that SPPG heads, nutrition supervisors, and financial supervisors were constantly threatened with police visits, legal action, and pressure to secure signatures from volunteers and partner schools to remove them from their positions.
In response to the complaints, Nanik immediately tasked the Director of Monitoring and Oversight for Region II, Brigadier General Albertus Dony Dewantoro, along with the BGN’s Senior Technical Specialist for Media, Hanibal Wijayanta, to conduct direct inspections of the kitchens.
“Stop operations. If necessary, shut them down permanently if the foundation does not demonstrate improved treatment towards the SPPG heads, nutrition supervisors, and financial supervisors,” Nanik stated firmly.
The BGN also confirmed with the relevant minister, who stressed that no family member operates either SPPG. The minister advised: “Just close the kitchens,” and emphasised that no facilities should be provided to false family claims.
BGN inspection teams found the kitchens in poor condition, with foul odours, peeling floors, mouldy walls, unsuitable meal preparation areas, poor ventilation, no air conditioning, minimal break rooms, and inadequate lockers. The wastewater treatment installation was grossly inadequate, consisting only of connected concrete pipes that were nearly overflowing and covered with thin plywood.
SPPG heads had even used personal funds to repair basic facilities, including wastewater treatment installation. “We used our own money to build this wastewater system,” Rizal said.
Brigadier General Dony confirmed that the kitchens were in conditions unfit for continued operation. The foundation owner claimed readiness to follow the inspection team’s recommendations.
The BGN ensured that the government would continue applying principles of fairness to all nutrition service units. Based on a BGN chief’s decision, cadres assisting in the distribution of the National Nutrition Programme would receive an incentive of Rp1,000 per distribution.