KSP: Unfit SPPG Kitchens Must Be Immediately Repaired or Suspended
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Presidential Chief of Staff General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman has stressed that Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) deemed unfit must be immediately repaired or suspended.
He made the statement after conducting surprise inspections at two SPPG kitchens in the Kebon Jeruk and Grogol Petamburan areas of West Jakarta on Tuesday.
“The first thing we must pay attention to is cleanliness. The KSP will soon conduct a rapid audit and national verification of the SPPG. There will then be classifications: fully fit, conditionally fit, or unfit, meaning they cannot operate,” Dudung said in a statement received.
Dudung stated that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme must be closely supervised to ensure it runs quickly, safely, accountably, and truly benefits Indonesian children.
From the direct inspection, Dudung said he still found several serious issues, particularly regarding cleanliness, kitchen management, and food health standards.
He emphasised that certificates and verification processes for SPPG kitchens must not stop at administrative aspects.
According to him, the most important thing is to ensure that the actual conditions on the ground truly meet health, cleanliness, and food safety standards.
“The issue of certificates and verification is not limited to administration alone, but must be thoroughly assured, especially the health factor for the beneficiaries. The two kitchens I inspected are not fit,” stressed the former Army Chief of Staff.
According to him, the separation between dirty and clean areas is a basic principle in food kitchen management.
Therefore, he requested that SPPG kitchens not meeting standards be repaired immediately in the near term. “If they cannot be repaired soon, just close them. I have conveyed this to the BGN,” he said.
Dudung said the KSP has coordinated with National Nutrition Agency Head Dadan Hindayana to follow up on the field findings.
He also urged that SPPG kitchens not meeting standards be immediately suspended or put on hold.
“Clearly, I have coordinated with the Head of BGN and the Deputy Head of BGN. After seeing the conditions on the ground directly, we are pushing the Head of BGN to suspend kitchens that do not meet standards,” said the former Pangdam Jaya.
Dudung emphasised that MBG is a priority programme of President Prabowo Subianto aimed at fulfilling the nutrition of Indonesian children and preparing a superior generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
“If it’s just to meet food targets, catering can do it. But the most important thing is not just serving food, but its nutritional value and healthiness. That is what the President always emphasises,” he said.
Dudung also reminded that the MBG budget comes from public funds and must be properly accounted for.
He asked all parties, including foundations, SPPG managers, local governments, and other relevant parties, not to treat this programme merely as a business opportunity.
“No parties should take undue advantage when our goal is good. If there is profit, it should be reasonable, but not at the expense of quality. This is public money that must be accounted for,” he said.
Dudung also asked the public and local apparatus, including neighbourhood units (RT), to be vigilant in monitoring the implementation of the MBG programme in the field.
According to him, negligence regarding health standards can have serious impacts on the child beneficiaries.
“Don’t take it lightly. If poisoning occurs, children become victims. This is what we do not want,” he stressed.
Dudung assured that the KSP will continue to oversee the implementation of the MBG programme.
He even stated that he would conduct secret inspections in several regions, including Central Java and West Java, to ensure the programme runs according to standards.
“I have received information about conditions in other places, including Central Java and West Java. I will conduct secret inspections to ensure this programme truly runs according to standards,” he said.
Dudung emphasised that overseeing the MBG programme is part of the KSP’s responsibility to ensure the President’s priority programmes are truly felt by the public.
“This programme is being pioneered now so that the quality of Indonesian children in the future can compete with the outside world. Therefore, health standards, cleanliness, and nutritional value must be the main focus,” he said.