Indonesia arrests former head of President Prabowo’s flagship free meal scheme

Indonesian authorities have arrested the former head of President Prabowo Subianto's signature free meal program, a key initiative promised during the election campaign. The arrest comes amid growing concerns over the program's implementation and its alleged links to widespread food poisoning.

The free meal scheme, intended to provide nutrition to children, has been marred by incidents of foodborne illness. Reports indicate that as of April, at least 33,000 children were affected by food poisoning linked to the program. This has raised serious questions about the safety and oversight of the initiative.

Details surrounding the arrest and the specific charges against the former program head have not yet been fully disclosed. However, the move signals a significant development in the government's response to the public health concerns raised by the program's alleged shortcomings. The investigation is expected to shed further light on the operational issues and potential mismanagement within the flagship initiative.