Sidoarjo Islamic Boarding School Proposes Independent Management of Free Nutritious Meal Programme Following Mass Poisoning

The caretaker of Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, KH Abdul Wahid Harun, has proposed that the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme be managed independently by religious institutions. This proposal emerged after hundreds of his students suffered suspected food poisoning due to the MBG programme.

Gus Wahid initially expressed gratitude to all parties for the attention shown to the boarding school amidst this mass poisoning incident. He expressed hope that such a poisoning event would not recur.

“We are very grateful for the attention from the central government. Our hope is that incidents like this do not happen again. A programme that is fundamentally good should not be tarnished by negligence in the process,” said Gus Wahid on Friday (4/9).

Consequently, Gus Wahid hopes that the management of the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) can be carried out independently by the internal parties of the boarding school, rather than being supplied from outside.

This proposal has already been conveyed by Gus Wahid to special staff of the presidency. According to him, the concept was inspired by systems implemented in Malaysia and Singapore, where programme funds are distributed to institutions, while management is handled directly by the boarding schools.

“So, the food will no longer come from outside. Funds are distributed to the institution, and then the boarding school manages it themselves. We have discussed this with the Vice President’s staff and received a positive response,” he said.

If the MBG is managed independently, the boarding school can directly control the entire process, from cooking to the distribution of food to the students. This would ensure that food quality and safety are maintained.

“If the quantity is between 2,500 to 2,830 portions, there is certainly a time gap if it is cooked far away and then delivered. If we manage it ourselves, the portions are measured, cooked immediately, and consumed immediately. The risk can be minimised,” he explained.

Gus Wahid emphasised that the proposal is not a rejection of the MBG programme. He stated that the boarding school continues to support the programme, but with an improved system of distribution and management.

“We continue to support the programme. What we hope for is that the system is perfected so that it is safer and more sustainable,” he said.

Furthermore, Gus Wahid plans to involve boarding school alumni in the technical management of the MBG, as well as local residents, as a form of economic empowerment.

“The management will involve alumni. Local residents can also be empowered. Thus, in addition to closer quality control, the surrounding community will also benefit,” he explained.

He added that the main principle of this new system is local management, where portions are adjusted to needs, and food is cooked and served within the shortest possible time.

On the other hand, Gus Wahid hopes that this mass poisoning incident serves as an evaluation and a momentum for Ponpes Manbaul Hikam to implement improvements moving forward.

“We see this as a test. Hopefully, from this test, the boarding school can become better known and reach a higher level. The important thing is that incidents like this must not be repeated,” he concluded.

As is known, hundreds of students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and students in 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency, allegedly suffered mass poisoning after consuming Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).

They experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness after consuming the MBG menu produced by the Kalitengah Tanggulangin Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), which consisted of white rice, scrambled eggs, tempeh in Balinese seasoning, sautéed green beans with baby corn, and apples, on Tuesday (1/9) afternoon.

As of Thursday (4/9) afternoon, the Sidoarjo Regency Health Office recorded that the number of MBG poisoning victims at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and students in 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency, reached 748 people.

As many as 20 people are still undergoing treatment in the hospital, while the remaining 728 have been allowed to go home for outpatient care.