JPW Demands BGN Fire SPPG Bantul Employee Accused of Mocking MBG Poisoning Victims

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Jogja Police Watch (JPW) is urging the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to dismiss an employee of the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Muntuk, Dlingo, Bantul, who is suspected of mocking victims of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) mass poisoning incident in Karo Regency, North Sumatra.

The demand emerged following the circulation of a video showing a man linked to SPPG Banjarharjo II, Muntuk Village, Dlingo Subdistrict.

In the footage, the man can be seen eating chicken katsu and then making a statement widely perceived as a taunt aimed at the MBG poisoning victims.

Baharuddin Kamba, Head of JPW's Public Relations Division and an activist with Jogja Corruption Watch (JCW), condemned the behavior as inappropriate, especially if indeed the individual is an SPPG officer.

“As a parent and a JCW activist, I strongly denounce this behavior that seems to ridicule victims who reportedly suffer memory loss after consuming the MBG meal,” Kamba said.

“No one should act this way, particularly not an SPPG official. They should show empathy for the victims and work to improve service quality to prevent future mass poisoning incidents allegedly linked to MBG menus,” he added.

JPW calls for dismissal sanction

Kamba said a mere reprimand is insufficient to deter those involved in the video.

He called on BGN to impose stricter sanctions.

“We urge firm penalties for the person in the video, reportedly an SPPG officer from Muntuk, Dlingo, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region,” he explained.

“Dismissal is necessary and important given the highly inappropriate conduct shown in the video,” he added.

Kamba also urged that the matter should not end with just clarifications or apologies.

“We hope there won't be follow-up videos with apologies or clarifications by the person concerned, because the act itself crossed the line and shows no empathy for the mass poisoning victims allegedly caused by MBG,” he stated.

Viral video includes statement on "70 percent memory loss"

The case began with a roughly 40-second video circulating on social media.

In the clip, a man wearing a black T-shirt and glasses is seen eating chicken katsu.

After tasting it, he says:

“By the way, I’m eating chicken katsu from yesterday’s cooking. Is it still tasty? Hmmm… Oh no. I lost 70 percent of my memory,” the man in the video says.

He then laughs at the end of his statement.

This remark was widely interpreted as a jab directed at Febiona Purba, a student who became one of the victims in the MBG mass poisoning in Karo.

Febiona was reported to have suffered health issues, trauma, and memory decline following the incident.

Dlingo Subdistrict Head confirms perpetrator is from SPPG Muntuk

Marjihidayat, Head of Dlingo Subdistrict, confirmed the man in the video is indeed an SPPG officer from Banjarharjo II, Muntuk Village.

He said the individual has already received a severe reprimand.

“A serious warning has been given to Gerard (SPPG Muntuk staff). Indeed, he is an employee at SPPG Banjarharjo II, Muntuk Village,” Marjihidayat said on Sunday (20/9/2026).

However, he did not elaborate on the details of the reprimand or the full identity of the employee.

He explained that the video was recorded at the employee’s house before being reposted by several social media accounts.

“We don’t know who exactly reposted it. Because some have reposted or shared the video again. We certainly regret the incident caused by the individual,” Marjihidayat said.

The Dlingo Subdistrict officials have coordinated with the Head of SPPG Banjarharjo II to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Marjihidayat emphasized that social media use should be conducted wisely, as content that offends others can cause problems.

Bantul Government pushes for case to be reported to BGN

The Bantul Regency Government also expressed regret over the video made by the SPPG employee.

Hermawan Setiaji, Assistant for Government and Public Welfare at the Bantul Regional Secretariat, said this incident could undermine efforts to build public trust in the MBG program.

“Clearly, this undermines the efforts of the Bantul Government to support the National Nutrition Agency in fostering public confidence in the MBG food program in Bantul,” he explained.

The Bantul Government urged the BGN Bantul regional coordinator to report the case to BGN for follow-up action.

The social media posts from the employee have also been requested to be taken down.

“(Regarding sanctions) it depends on BGN, ma’am. The information we received is that the video was separated from other incident photos then edited together,” Hermawan said.

He also called for all task force members, BGN staff, SPPG employees, and MBG kitchen volunteers in Bantul to be more cautious in using social media.

“Please be wise on social media. Many hope this program succeeds and benefits the public. Avoid actions that could undermine public trust in this program,” Hermawan concluded.

BGN DIY issues warnings to all staff

Wirandita Gagat Widyatmoko, Regional Coordinator of BGN DIY, also expressed regret over the alleged behavior.

She stressed that incidents involving food safety and beneficiaries should be met with empathy.

“We are concerned and disappointed if there are statements from SPPG staff that show no empathy toward potentially affected communities. In situations like this, humanity, empathy, sensitivity, and mutual respect must come first,” Gagat said.

According to her, any incident affecting beneficiaries should serve as evaluation and learning, not as a subject of jokes.

She also urged her staff to rely on facts and not preempt investigative processes by authorities.

“We must distinguish between providing clarifications, giving opinions, and passing judgment on an event. We must avoid making insensitive comments that escalate problems. Being sensitive to circumstances, empathetic toward those affected, and mutually respectful must be part of our work culture,” Gagat emphasized.

BGN DIY has issued warnings to all levels in its jurisdiction—from regional coordinators, subdistrict coordinators, SPPG heads, supervisors, to field personnel—to maintain communication ethics and responsible social media use.

Parts of this article have appeared on TribunJogja.com under titles "SPPG Employee in Bantul Mocks MBG Poisoning Victims, JPW Demands Dismissal of Person in Video" and "Viral: SPPG Employee in Bantul Mocks MBG Poisoning Victims, Allegedly Already Severely Reprimanded".