Many schoolchildren in Indonesia have experienced food poisoning after eating free meals from a new program launched by President Prabowo Subianto. This initiative aimed to improve the lives of children and pregnant women, targeting 82.9 million people by 2029.
Prabowo touts this program as a way to fight malnutrition and enhance economic growth. However, the launch has encountered issues. Recently, 40 students at a school in Sukoharjo, Central Java, fell ill after eating marinated chicken. They suffered from nausea and vomiting.
Hasan Nasbi, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed the incident and stated that the affected children were treated and are doing better now. He assured that the food was taken off the menu and that this situation will serve as an important learning moment for improving food safety.
Reports suggest that this food poisoning incident isn’t isolated. Other students in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, also became sick after consuming government-provided meals, although Nasbi didn’t comment on those cases.
The ambitious program carries a hefty price tag, projected at $45 billion over five years. To expand it further, an additional $6.11 billion may be needed to help more families by the end of the year. Stunting, which affects 21.5% of the country’s children, is a significant concern, especially in less developed regions of eastern Indonesia.
This month, the program launched with at least 190 kitchens across the nation, including some managed by military bases, aiming to serve 570,000 meals on its first day.
As President Prabowo nears the 100-day mark in office, his populist measures have found favor with the public. A recent survey revealed that 80.9% of respondents approve of the government’s performance so far.
