Speaking in Sorong city, Southwest Papua, on Wednesday, the ministry's director general of human rights services and compliance, Munafrizal Manan, said that his visit to review the program was prompted by reports of implementation challenges in Papuan provinces.
"I am relieved to find out that several regions in Southwest Papua have been carrying out the MBG program—progress deserving appreciation," he added after a coordination meeting with the Southwest Papua provincial government.
Manan said that his team will report several key points raised by the provincial government regarding the program's implementation and challenges to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
"These include the need for the BGN to station representatives in Southwest Papua to facilitate coordination and the acquisition of customary lands for MBG kitchens. We will convey these points to the BGN," he informed.
He then noted that the Ministry of Human Rights wields no technical authority over how the program is run, saying, "Our role is to ensure that no region is left in doubt about the MBG program."
The official then praised the Southwest Papua government for doing its best to carry out the national program.
Meanwhile, Southwest Papua deputy governor Ahmad Nausrau said that the MBG program, which targets toddlers, schoolchildren, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, has been initiated in Sorong city, Sorong district, and South Sorong district.
"Other districts are still in the process of establishing their designated kitchens," he said, referring to Maybrat, Raja Ampat, and Tambrauw.
He added that his administration is awaiting technical guidelines from the central government regarding the program budget.
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Translator: Yuvensius L, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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