Nearly 80 students from two high schools in Cianjur, south of Jakarta, fell ill after eating free lunches last week.
The incident has raised concerns about Indonesia’s massive free meal program for 80 million students.
President Prabowo Subianto launched the program to combat stunting, a condition caused by malnutrition that affects one in five Indonesian children under five.
The program has been criticized for being the most expensive school meal program in the world, with a price tag of $28 billion.
Critics argue that the program’s costs are unsustainable and that the money could be better spent elsewhere.
In February, protesters took to the streets, holding signs that read “Free lunch for kids, unemployment for parents.”
Indonesia has allocated over $10 billion for the program this year, while India spends around $1.5 billion to feed 120 million children.
To fund the program, Prabowo has called on wealthy Indonesians to contribute and accepted a funding offer from China.
He has also cut $19 billion from the national budget to allocate to the program and other populist policies.
The budget cuts have affected several ministries, including the education ministry, which has had its budget slashed in half.
Some government officials have been forced to make significant savings, such as turning off air conditioning and lifts.
The program has also been marred by allegations of corruption, with the anti-corruption agency warning of potential graft in March.
Police have launched an investigation into a complaint from a food provider who claims not to have been paid since February.
Prabowo has defended the program, saying his government will investigate any allegations and protect taxpayers’ money.
Food Poisoning Incidents
The Cianjur incident is the latest in a series of food poisoning cases linked to the program.
Since January, several cases have been reported, raising concerns about food safety.
Investigators have suggested that the cause of the Cianjur incident may have been negligence in food preparation.
Samples of the students’ vomit have been sent for laboratory testing, and police have questioned those involved in preparing and delivering the food.
Global Context
Free meal programs for students are common in many countries and are seen as an effective way to improve health, academic performance, and attendance.
However, Indonesia’s program has been criticized for its high costs and lack of transparency.
Experts say that the program’s massive budget makes it vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement.
As the program continues to roll out, concerns about its sustainability and effectiveness remain.
