Zulhas targets MBG overhaul for completion within 1 month

The government is targeting completion of a restructuring of the Free Nutritious Meals program within one month amid an investigation into alleged corruption in its management. Coordinating Food Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the overhaul will cover Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi points that were reportedly bought and sold, mapping of recipient schools, improvements in kitchen quality, and verification of beneficiary reports. National Nutrition Agency head Nanik S. Deyang said the opening of new points and kitchens has been temporarily suspended. There are currently 27,877 operational kitchen points based on virtual accounts, which will be reorganized because they remain concentrated on Java. The BGN has also temporarily stopped new kitchen registrations and is reviewing about 63 million recipients so nutrition interventions can be directed to those most in need. At the same time, several parties denied being implicated in the case after suspect Sony Sonjaya applied to become a justice collaborator.