MBG: “FREE NUTRITION EATING” or “PLAYING NUTRITIONAL”? Council in the MBG Kitchen: Conflict of Interest that eroded authority

Kuningan, Controversinews | The rise of the news regarding the involvement of a number of Kuningan DPRD members in the program FREE NUMBER EATING (MBG) raised a serious question about the neutrality and integrity of the legislative institution.

As stipulated in the constitutional system, the DPRD has three main functions: legislation, budgetingAnd supervision. The supervisory function becomes an important pillar in ensuring that every government program runs according to the rules and is right on target.

However, in the implementation of the MBG program, public concerns emerged: How could the DPRD be able to carry out the objective supervisory function if its members were involved as implementers of the oversized program?

This situation is clearly included in the category conflict of interest (conflict of interest). UU no. 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government confirms that DPRD members are required to maintain integrity, especially in carrying out the supervisory function. When the supervisor is at the same time being a perpetrator, then the control function becomes blunt And Public trust is also threatened to collapse.

The public began to wonder:
Is the MBG kitchen indeed intended for the fulfillment of children’s nutrition and stunting control?
Or instead it has shifted to political and economic kitchen For a handful of parties?

Solutions to consider

So that the authority of the DPRD is maintained and the people’s trust does not fade, a number of the following solutive steps need to be immediately implemented:

1. DPRD Special Code of Ethics
   Clarify and emphasize the prohibition for board members to be directly involved in the executive project/program that is the object of their supervision.

2. Independent supervision
   Cooperate with non-governmental institutions, academics, and civil society organizations to monitor the implementation of the MBG program objectively and transparently.

3. Budget transparency
   All data related to distribution, implementers, to the financial statements of the MBG program must be opened to the public. Transparency is the key to preventing abuse.

4. Strict sanctions
   If it is proven that there are members of the DPRD who are also the implementers of the MBG program, then it is necessary to be given ethical and legal sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations.

By applying these steps, Kuningan DPRD can re -enforce its spirit As a credible supervisory institution and sides with the interests of the people, not just to “sit in the kitchen” for personal interests. ***