Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Visits Students Affected by Poisoning, Insists Free Nutritious Meal Programme Must Continue
The Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs (Wamenag), Muhammad Syafict, visited students of the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School currently receiving treatment at RSUD RT Notopuro, Sidoarjo, East Java, following suspected poisoning after consuming Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).
Syafii provided financial assistance to the students and offered words of encouragement and prayers for their swift recovery. He also visited the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School, where he was received by KH Abdul Wahid Harun.
Syafii asserted that the MBG programme is still much needed and is expected to continue providing benefits to Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and madrasahs. He noted that the incident at Ponpes Manbaul Hikam must serve as a basis for evaluation to determine the cause.
“From the visit to the students, they are waiting for and greatly need the MBG. This programme has been running for several months from the same Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) without any issues. This is the first time a problem has occurred. Therefore, there must be an investigation to identify the cause,” said Syafii on Friday (4/9).
Syafii mentioned that, based on preliminary information, the students’ complaints were primarily related to the egg and vegetable menu. However, the exact cause still needs to be confirmed through further examination and investigation.
“What we need to confirm is the cause. Whether it was the cooking process or the meal schedule not adhering to the technical guidelines. This is what needs to be resolved,” he said.
However, Syafii emphasised that the evaluation is not intended to question the continuity of the MBG programme, but rather to ensure that the quality, safety, and food processing standards for beneficiaries are maintained.
“The investigation is not about whether the MBG is necessary or not, but we want to know what happened. Especially since it comes from the same kitchen, for the same children, and after running for several months, it only happened today. An investigation is certainly necessary,” he added.
He stated that the students are fundamentally enthusiastic about receiving the MBG. Based on information obtained during his visit, the students are actually waiting for and need the food provided through the programme.
“In essence, they all said they are very happy and are waiting for the arrival of the MBG food,” he said.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to encourage more pesantren and madrasahs to benefit from the MBG. Syafii intends to coordinate with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to ensure coverage reaches remote areas.
“We are accelerating efforts so that no more pesantren or madrasahs are left without their MBG rations. We are continuously communicating with the new head of the BGN. We hope that this year, no more madrasahs and pesantren will miss out on the benefits of the free meals from the MBG,” he said.
Previously, hundreds of students from the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and students from 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency, were suspected of mass poisoning after consuming MBG.
They experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness after consuming the MBG menu produced by the Kalitengah Tanggulangin Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), which consisted of white rice, scrambled eggs, tempeh in Balinese seasoning, sautéed green beans and baby corn, and apples, on Tuesday (1/9) afternoon.
The Sidoarjo Regency Health Office recorded that the number of MBG poisoning victims at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and students in 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency, reached 748 people as of Thursday (4/9).
As of now, 20 people are still undergoing hospital treatment, while the remaining 728 have been discharged for outpatient care.