Hasto Demands BGN Reply on Alleged PDIP Cadre Involvement in Free Meals Programme
The Secretary-General of PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Hasto Kristiyanto, has revealed that the letter his party sent to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has yet to receive a reply.
The letter from PDIP contains a request to the BGN for data on PDIP cadres involved in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme or the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).
PDIP sent the letter in response to a statement by BGN head Nanik S Deyang, who claimed that all political parties were suspected of being involved in the procurement and management of the SPPG.
“Because we have already prohibited PDIP members and cadres from becoming involved in the programme, when questions subsequently arose about PDIP Perjuangan’s stance, we sent a letter to the BGN, and until now we have not received a reply, so we will wait,” said Hasto in Surabaya on Monday (20/7), on the sidelines of attending the second (open) dissertation examination of political observer Pangi Syarwi Chaniago in the doctoral programme at FISIP Airlangga University.
“If not, we will send another letter,” he added.
Based on Nanik’s statement, Hasto said PDIP sent letter number 553/EX/DPP/VI/2026 dated 22 June 2026 to the BGN. The letter was signed personally by Hasto and the head of the DPP’s Honorary Division, Komarudin Watubun.
“That was because Nanik Deyang, who was then Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, stated that all political parties were involved in the procurement and management of the SPPG,” he said.
The letter was issued as a follow-up to the party’s instruction via an earlier letter dated 24 February that none of their cadres in the executive, legislative, or party structures should exploit the MBG programme for financial gain.
“So we then sent a letter with the honorary division, Pak Komarudin Watubun, to the entire party apparatus to ensure that this programme, designed with a good mission for the people, is not misused, including by those in power, including being misused by rent-seekers seeking profit while the people end up being sacrificed,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding possible sanctions for cadres proven to be involved in the MBG programme, Hasto said the party would immediately summon the individuals concerned for clarification as soon as it receives a report. He said the form of sanction would be adjusted according to the type of violation committed.
“Oh, once there is a report, we will immediately summon them for clarification. As for sanctions, it depends on the type of violation. Because this is a programme for the people. We must not commercialise a programme intended for the people,” he said.
Hasto said that to date the party is still waiting for complete data on which PDIP cadres are alleged to be involved in managing the SPPG, as referred to in Nanik’s statement.
“Yes, we are still waiting to find out who from PDIP is meant. Because it was stated by the then-deputy head of the BGN that all parties were involved in the programme, an approach that is project-based rather than involving the participation of people’s food stalls around schools, for instance,” he said.
Furthermore, Hasto outlined several examples of people’s nutrition improvement programmes that he said had been developed earlier by PDIP cadres in various regions, such as Surabaya, Bantul, and Banyuwangi.
“PDI Perjuangan already has many models. The model in Surabaya was developed by Mrs Risma, and the model of Pak Idham Samawi was developed in Bantul, indirectly, to improve the nutrition of our schoolchildren by giving three chickens to be bred, with the eggs consumed by schoolchildren and so on,” said Hasto.
He cited a similar programme in Banyuwangi that is integrated with stunting management and involves the joint responsibility of regional officials as well as community participation.
Hasto stressed that his party’s criticism of the MBG programme is not aimed at its basic concept, but rather at its implementation approach, which he considers top-down.
“What PDIP Perjuangan has criticised from the start is its execution, which is top-down. From the methodological side, from the implementation side, from its approaches. After all, the aim is food for the people, improving nutrition for the people. That is part of PDI Perjuangan’s platform,” he said.