(Jakarta, 19th) Indonesia's 'Free Nutrition Meal' program, led by President Prabowo, has come under controversy after a series of food poisoning incidents. Opponents are calling for a thorough evaluation and reform of the program, especially to halt the preparation and distribution of meals by the military and police.
The Jakarta Post reported that, according to the unofficial group 'Indonesia Education Monitoring Network' (JPPI), since the program's implementation in January this year, food poisoning incidents linked to the free meal plan have affected more than 11,000 children nationwide.
The Indonesian Mothers Alliance this week organized mothers to protest outside the National Nutrition Agency headquarters in Jakarta, which oversees the free nutrition meal program, demanding the program's suspension, calling it a health crisis endangering children.
They are particularly dissatisfied that the meals are prepared and distributed by military and police personnel, since these groups lack professional knowledge in nutrition and food safety. The protest spokesperson, Rini, said: 'This program should involve nutritionists and pediatricians... Stop the free meal program! Food quality and children's safety should come first, and meals should be managed by civilians, not the military or police... they are not food agencies.'
The Indonesian government stated that they entrusted the military and police to operate kitchens and deliver meals to schools because of the logistical challenges involved in implementing the program across thousands of islands. Currently, the police operate more than 600 kitchens and plan to build 100 more; the military manages 452 kitchens nationwide.
Despite support from the military and police, the free nutrition meal program is expected to fall short of its original goal of providing meals to 83 million children by the end of this year. It is estimated that only 72 million children will benefit because the construction of kitchens is delayed, especially in remote areas.
The National Nutrition Agency has also been criticized because its leadership consists mostly of retired military and police officers, who have received little formal training in nutrition, food safety, and public health, casting doubt over their ability to oversee the national nutrition programs.
Public policy expert Agus pointed out that the military is accustomed to preparing food for combat personnel, focusing more on speed and efficiency, with hygiene and food safety possibly being secondary and overlooking children's nutritional needs. In addition, with the National Nutrition Agency led by retired military and police officials, policy decisions could be driven more by personal or institutional ties rather than child welfare.
The Jakarta Post reported that, according to the unofficial group 'Indonesia Education Monitoring Network' (JPPI), since the program's implementation in January this year, food poisoning incidents linked to the free meal plan have affected more than 11,000 children nationwide.
The Indonesian Mothers Alliance this week organized mothers to protest outside the National Nutrition Agency headquarters in Jakarta, which oversees the free nutrition meal program, demanding the program's suspension, calling it a health crisis endangering children.
They are particularly dissatisfied that the meals are prepared and distributed by military and police personnel, since these groups lack professional knowledge in nutrition and food safety. The protest spokesperson, Rini, said: 'This program should involve nutritionists and pediatricians... Stop the free meal program! Food quality and children's safety should come first, and meals should be managed by civilians, not the military or police... they are not food agencies.'
The Indonesian government stated that they entrusted the military and police to operate kitchens and deliver meals to schools because of the logistical challenges involved in implementing the program across thousands of islands. Currently, the police operate more than 600 kitchens and plan to build 100 more; the military manages 452 kitchens nationwide.
Despite support from the military and police, the free nutrition meal program is expected to fall short of its original goal of providing meals to 83 million children by the end of this year. It is estimated that only 72 million children will benefit because the construction of kitchens is delayed, especially in remote areas.
The National Nutrition Agency has also been criticized because its leadership consists mostly of retired military and police officers, who have received little formal training in nutrition, food safety, and public health, casting doubt over their ability to oversee the national nutrition programs.
Public policy expert Agus pointed out that the military is accustomed to preparing food for combat personnel, focusing more on speed and efficiency, with hygiene and food safety possibly being secondary and overlooking children's nutritional needs. In addition, with the National Nutrition Agency led by retired military and police officials, policy decisions could be driven more by personal or institutional ties rather than child welfare.