Bantul SPPG Employee Allegedly Mocks MBG Karo Poisoning Victim, BGN DIY: Empathy Should Come First

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has taken note of a viral video allegedly made by an employee of the Nutrition Program Service Unit (SPPG) in Bantul.

In the video, a man linked by netizens to SPPG Muntuk, Dlingo, Bantul, appears to mock victims of the Food Safety incident related to the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in Karo, North Sumatra.

The clip shows the man eating a piece of chicken katsu.

After tasting it, he utters a phrase that many have connected to the condition of one of the MBG poisoning victims in Karo.

"I'm eating yesterday's chicken katsu—is it still good or not? My memory is seventy percent gone," he said.

This statement was interpreted by netizens as a jab at Febiona Purba, a student at SMK Bersama Berastagi in Karo.

Febiona was previously reported to have suffered health disturbances, trauma, and memory loss after being afflicted by the mass poisoning from the MBG program.

The video sparked public criticism for lacking empathy towards victims enduring health problems.

BGN DIY regrets alleged remarks by SPPG employee

Regional Coordinator of BGN DIY, Wirandita Gagat Widyatmoko, expressed disappointment if the remarks in the video indeed came from an SPPG staff member.

He emphasized that every issue related to food safety impacting beneficiaries should be treated seriously and with compassion.

“We are concerned and regret if an SPPG member has made statements showing no empathy towards affected communities. In situations like this, what must come first is humanity, empathy, sensitivity, and mutual respect,” Gagat said.

He added that incidents occurring in any area should serve as both an alert and a lesson for all SPPG personnel nationwide.

Gagat stressed that incidents affecting beneficiaries should never be made light of, ridiculed, or commented on in ways that could hurt those undergoing difficult circumstances.

Calls for staff not to preempt investigations

Besides highlighting empathy, Gagat reminded his staff to refrain from jumping ahead of ongoing investigations by authorities.

According to him, every incident must be managed based on facts.