Indonesia’s top human rights body urged the national police on Friday to launch an investigation into multiple outbreaks of food poisoning linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meal program for students. According to independent oversight body Komnas HAM, approximately 2,000 students and teachers fell ill across at least two major Indonesian islands after consuming government-issued lunches designed to eradicate malnutrition.
“Rights to food, especially safe-to-consume food, are human rights,” Komnas HAM said in a formal statement. The agency added that without rigorous sanitation standards, state nutrition interventions lose their moral legitimacy.
Regional Outbreaks and Official Response
The poisoning cases span multiple provinces, exposing vulnerabilities in the logistics and preparation of the massive food distribution initiative. Local media outlet Kompas reported that 170 students and teachers fell ill in the South Sulawesi region of Tana Toraja on Thursday alone. Those cases follow more than 1,700 reported illnesses across Central Java, East Java, and West Sumatra.
Lawmaker Charles Honoris stated on Wednesday, citing health department data, that 50,000 individuals had been affected by food poisoning cases as of September 1. Improper food storage and the late delivery of cooked meals are often to blame for the food poisoning.
The National Nutrition Agency, which oversees the school lunch program, was scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday to address the crisis. However, agency officials delayed the briefing without providing a reason or a rescheduled time, and they did not immediately respond to requests for comment from reporters. On Thursday, agency head Sudaryono stated that the poisoning cases would be handled seriously.
Public Satisfaction and Calls for Suspension
In addition to demanding a police inquiry, Komnas HAM called on the National Nutrition Agency to suspend the specific kitchens allegedly responsible for the poisoning outbreaks.
Polling data released by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting indicates that only one-third of Indonesians surveyed in July were satisfied with the free meal scheme. According to the pollster, recurring food poisoning incidents served as a primary reason for public dissatisfaction with the program.
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