Indonesian govt freezes 833 MBG kitchens over violations

BGN Head Sudaryono said Monday that violations included food poisoning cases, poor hygiene, failure to meet quality standards and inadequate wastewater management.

The suspended facilities include 98 in Sumatra; 424 across Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua; and 311 in Java and Madura.

Sudaryono said the government had also stopped operational funding for the suspended kitchens, signaling tougher enforcement against violations.

“These kitchens no longer receive the privileges they once did. Previously, payments continued during suspensions. Now, noncompliant kitchens are shut down and unpaid,” he said.

The agency also imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on nine officials and lighter penalties on 39 others.

“We found nine civil servants guilty of serious violations. Dismissal is highly possible,” Sudaryono said, adding that lesser offenses could result in transfers, demotions or administrative sanctions.

Sudaryono also reaffirmed his commitment to improving governance within the agency and preventing corruption.

“It is crucial to ensure that civil servants working in kitchens perform their duties properly, maintain hygiene and produce only quality meals,” he said.

The agency will continue strengthening transparency and coordination with ministries, state agencies, local governments and the public to enforce MBG food-quality and hygiene standards.

Translator: A.P. Dewi, Tegar Nurfitra