MP Yan Mandenas Urges New National Nutrition Agency Head to Focus on Improving Free Nutritious Meal Programme in Papua
The government’s recent leadership changes demonstrate an attentiveness to public feedback. Member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Yan P. Mandenas, has requested that the new head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) remains focused on improving the implementation quality of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme so that its benefits can be more widely felt, particularly by students in Papua.
“The government’s change in BGN leadership is part of an evaluation effort to ensure that national strategic programmes run more effectively and provide maximum benefits to the community,” he stated in Jaypend in Jayapura on Wednesday (3/6).
According to Yan, this government move shows attention to various inputs from the public as well as the oversight conducted by the DPR regarding the implementation of the MBG programme in various regions. “The MBG programme plays a vital role in supporting the nutritional improvement of students while preparing a healthy, intelligent, and productive younger generation towards Indonesia Emas 2045,” he said.
He noted that the challenges of implementing the MBG programme in Papua, especially in remote areas, require serious attention given that the geographical conditions differ from other regions, necessitating effective and targeted management. He added that, beyond quality aspects, he also encourages the programme’s implementation to deliver economic impacts for local communities through the utilisation of food supplies available in their respective regions.
“We hope that the government’s evaluation of the BGN leadership can serve as a momentum for improvement, so that the implementation of the MBG programme in Papua becomes higher in quality, more equitable, and provides real benefits for both students and the community,” he added.
Furthermore, the position previously held by Dadan has been succeeded by Nanik S. Deyang, who formerly served as the Deputy Head of the BGN.