Dozens of Indonesian schoolchildren have experienced food poisoning after consuming free meals provided through a new flagship initiative by President Prabowo Subianto, as confirmed by his office. Launched this month, Prabowo’s multi-billion dollar program was a key element of his election campaign, aiming to reach 82.9 million children and pregnant women out of Indonesia’s 280 million population by 2029.
Prabowo has stated that the initiative will enhance the quality of life and stimulate economic growth. However, alongside the financial and logistical challenges, the government is now addressing a serious issue: 40 students from a school in Sukoharjo, Central Java, reported nausea and vomiting after consuming the meals in recent days.
“There was an incident,” confirmed Indonesia’s presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi. “Forty children who ate marinated chicken experienced nausea and vomiting.” The affected students have received treatment, and their conditions have improved. The food has been promptly withdrawn, and this “undesirable incident” will serve as a crucial evaluation point to ensure food safety in the future.
Reports from Indonesian media indicate that the food poisoning incident in Central Java is not isolated, with claims that numerous students in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, also fell ill after consuming government-provided meals. Nasbi did not immediately address these reports.
The program, designed to combat stunting and malnutrition, is projected to cost $45 billion over five years, with an additional $6.11 billion anticipated to expand its reach to over a quarter of the population by the end of the year. Stunting affects 21.5% of children in Indonesia, particularly in the less developed eastern regions.
This month, at least 190 kitchens operated by third-party catering services, including some managed by military bases, opened nationwide, with officials aiming to serve 570,000 people on the first day. As he nears the 100th day of his presidency, Prabowo’s populist policies have garnered a high approval rating, with a recent survey indicating that 80.9% of respondents approve of the new government’s performance thus far.
