SPPG Employee in Bantul Dismissed After Mocking Free Nutritious Meal Poisoning Victims
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has dismissed an SPPG employee who mocked victims of Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) poisoning in Karo, North Sumatra. BGN DIY has also urged SPPG staff to exercise caution when using social media.
“We regret the existence of such statements. Following handling in accordance with regulations, the individual concerned has been dismissed,” said the Regional Coordinator of BGN DIY, Wirandita Gagat Widyatmoko, in a statement on Monday (21/9/2026).
Gagat continued that the decision is part of an effort to maintain standards of behaviour, ethics, and professionalism across all levels involved in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.
“This serves as a lesson for all staff that working within the MBG Programme requires not only technical competence but also ethics, empathy, sensitivity, and responsibility in communication,” he said.
According to Gagat, every incident related to food safety must be a collective concern. Therefore, when members of the public or beneficiaries are suspected to be affected, all personnel must prioritise humanity, empathy, and mutual respect, rather than turning such incidents into subject matter for jokes or mockery.
Gagat also emphasised that the incident should serve as a collective lesson rather than being viewed merely as an individual issue.
“Do not let one person’s behaviour erase the good work of many. Let us take this as a lesson. Work correctly, communicate well, and maintain empathy. We are here to provide service to the community, not to demean others,” he stated.
Furthermore, Gagat reminded all SPPG staff to be careful when using social media or making statements in the public sphere. Any statement made by SPPG personnel can influence public perception of the MBG Programme’s implementation as a whole.
“We must understand the sensitivity of the issues facing the community. We must not allow issues that should serve as collective learning to be commented on inappropriately. Empathy and mutual respect must be part of our work culture,” he said.
It was previously reported that a video post showing a man mocking victims of free nutritious meal poisoning—who suffered memory loss in Karo, North Sumatra—went viral on social media. The video creator was identified as an SPPG employee in Dlingo, Bantul.
“Cruel and heartless! While hundreds of students in Berastagi lay ill due to MBG poisoning, an official from BGN named Gerardus Permanaditya instead created a video content eating fried chicken that strongly appeared to mock Febiona Purba, a student who suffered seizures leading to memory loss,” stated the Instagram account @reset.feeds.
The Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare of the Bantul Regency Regional Secretariat (Setda), Hermawan Setiaji, admitted to being aware of the post. Hermawan also requested the BGN Bantul Regional Coordinator to take follow-up action.
“The Bantul Regency Government has encouraged the BGN Bantul Regional Coordinator to report this to the BGN for further action,” he said when contacted on Sunday (20/9/2026).