Sixty parents in the Karo region of North Sumatra have lodged a police complaint alleging negligence in the distribution of free school meals funded by President Prabowo Subianto’s national nutrition programme. The complaint, filed on August 31 and disclosed to Reuters on September 11, seeks a criminal investigation, the naming of suspects, and financial compensation for affected families.
Illnesses spark legal action
At least 300 students at several high schools fell sick after eating the meals in mid‑August. Some required hospitalization, and one 17‑year‑old girl, Agnes, was admitted multiple times with nausea, itching and numbness. Her mother, Fitri Sijabat, said her hope is that the programme be halted, questioning the use of state funds when children become ill.
Government programme under scrutiny
The free‑meal initiative, a flagship pledge of President Subianto, aims to provide meals to 83 million schoolchildren and pregnant mothers across Indonesia. It is the most expensive social programme in the G20 economy, with a budget of 229 trillion rupiah (about $13 billion). Recent months have seen the programme plagued by allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and more than 50,000 reported cases of food poisoning.
Two programme chiefs have already been replaced, and one former chief is in police custody on corruption charges. Despite these setbacks, the government has not commented on the latest complaint.
Police and investigators respond
Karo police spokesperson Pedoman Maha said investigators are awaiting forensic test results from the North Sumatra police lab. The police are also questioning students, teachers and a nutritionist as part of the probe.
Aslia Sijabat, the parents’ lawyer, noted that no individual has yet been named in similar incidents elsewhere, creating a sense of impunity. The complaint also calls for a financial compensation package for the families affected.
Broader concerns
Last week, more than 2,000 individuals across several provinces reported illness after consuming free meals, highlighting systemic issues in the programme’s logistics and quality control. Critics argue that the financial and logistical viability of providing free meals to such a large population remains doubtful.
The parents plan to file a separate civil lawsuit against the government in a district court, though a filing date has not been set.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
