Number of Suspected MBG Poisoning Cases Among East Lombok Students Increases, Parents Complain
A number of parents of students at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Yadinu Banok in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), are voicing their complaints because their children have become victims of suspected poisoning after consuming free nutritious meal (MBG) menus. As of now, the number of patients continues to increase.
Observations by detikBali around 1:00 PM WITA showed parents arriving to bring their children for treatment at the Pengadangan Health Centre. To date, the number of suspected MBG poisoning victims has increased to 22 people.
Maesun (46), one of the parents, vented his disappointment after his child complained of stomach pain. He recounted that his child suddenly vomited shortly after eating the MBG menu.
“My child suddenly vomited, we’re disappointed with this MBG, my child suddenly vomited,” said Maesun on Friday (24/4/2026).
He demanded accountability so that the MBG menus distributed can be better. In an emotional tone, Maesun stated that every student has the right to receive quality MBG menus.
“We demand accountability for this MBG, just because we’re poor doesn’t mean you can give us menus like this as you please, we hope for improvements in the future,” Maesun scolded.
The Head of the NTB Provincial MBG Task Force, Fathul Gani, said that his side has received the report regarding the case. He assured that the suspected poisoning case involving dozens of students will be forwarded to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“We have received the report and have forwarded it to the BGN regarding the complete chronology of the incident and further handling,” he said.
He described the incident as a prominent category requiring swift action. Fathul said that samples of the meals received by students today have been taken to the Health Department for examination.
He promised to thoroughly investigate the procurement process of the MBG menus received by the students, from the source of raw materials, processing, to distribution to the recipient locations.
“The samples have been taken to the Health Department for testing first, and we will properly investigate the raw materials as well as the production process,” said Fathul.