PBNU Supports Evaluation of Free Nutritious Meal Programme with Greater Integrity

The General Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin), supports the evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, emphasising the need for more integrated management.

Gus Kikin made these remarks in response to a food poisoning incident involving the MBG programme at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, which resulted in hundreds of students being hospitalised.

“It is about integrity; if everyone takes responsibility for their activities and work, hopefully, such incidents (MBG poisoning) will not recur. Integrity means that each of us must be responsible for our respective activities and adhere to the regulations implemented within our respective tasks,” he stated.

“This is just one of many such incidents; we must continue forward because boarding schools must remain operational,” he added.

On the other hand, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafising, has requested that the suspected food poisoning experienced by students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School be investigated to determine the exact cause.

“Since this kitchen has been supplying these children for almost a year and a problem has only just arisen, we certainly need to investigate what actually happened,” the Deputy Minister said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

During his visit, eight patients were found to be undergoing treatment. Of that number, five patients have been discharged, while three others still require medical care.

According to the Deputy Minister, the complaints reported by the students related to abdominal discomfort and nausea, though the conditions were not severe.

“Eight people were treated. According to the hospital head, five will be discharged within five days, leaving three. The children complained of stomach pain and nausea, but it was not too severe,” the Deputy Minister concluded.