Indonesia's Prabowo plows on with free meal program despite public backlash

President says poisoning has affected only a tiny proportion of 1bn servings

20251002 Food Poisoning Indonesia2

Students receive treatment at a makeshift clinic in Indonesia's Bandung on Sept. 25. They are among thousands who suffered from food poisoning after eating government-financed free school meals. © Reuters

ISMI DAMAYANTI

JAKARTA -- Alita, a 10-year-old elementary school pupil in Indonesia's Yogyakarta province, is not a picky eater. But she could not help complaining about the school lunch she received from the government's Free Nutritious Meal program, known by the local abbreviation MBG.

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