Sudaryono Explains Why SPPG Heads Must Be Present in MBG Kitchens from 2 AM

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has explained why heads of Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) must be present in Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens from 2 AM. The man familiarly known as Mas Dar explained that SPPG must be on standby during critical hours because many fatal incidents or cases of food poisoning among beneficiaries have occurred due to SPPG’s failure to comply with standard operating procedures (SOP).

“And in some of these findings, the SPPG head was not even on site. He is the leader in that kitchen and must ensure the SOP is followed. Therefore, we have issued a circular stating that the working hours for ASN PPPK SPPG heads are the kitchen’s operational hours, from 2 AM to 8 AM, plus two additional hours in the afternoon when raw materials are received,” he said on his official channel, quoted from Jakarta on Friday (28/8/2026).

Mas Dar stressed that all SPPG heads are required to implement the MBG Programme SOP, including storage procedures, wearing gloves while monitoring the cooking and portioning process, and using head coverings to maintain hygiene. He also threatened to dishonourably dismiss any SPPG head who fails to attend the kitchen for 10 consecutive days.

“If, for example, you are a teacher at a school with PPPK status, you must be present at every teaching and learning activity. If you are absent from teaching hours for 10 consecutive days at your office without any explanation, the sanction is dishonourable dismissal,” he said.

In addition to ensuring SPPG heads are present during critical hours, the BGN has also implemented a layered monitoring system, whereby all central BGN staff and coordinators at the sub-district level must attend virtual meetings during critical SPPG operational hours.

“Simply assigning working hours is not enough, so we carry out monitoring during those critical hours. The Head of the Agency, the Deputy Head of the Agency, coordinators at the sub-district level, including kitchen heads, all join Zoom during those critical hours. Backgrounds are not allowed, so it is clear whether someone is in the kitchen or in their bedroom. Those who do not attend receive a warning,” he said.

He noted that to date the BGN has dishonourably dismissed 66 MBG kitchen heads, one of the reasons being their failure to attend the kitchen for 10 consecutive days in accordance with civil service regulations.