Indonesia's free meals program is facing a seven-day ultimatum and the possibility of a lawsuit, thestar.com.my reports. The development comes as parents in North Sumatra pursue a criminal case following a free meal poisoning incident, according to The Jakarta Post.
The poisoning cases have affected multiple locations. In Pati, the number of people sickened rose to 424, Tempo.co English reports, citing the local health agency. Separately, Jakarta Globe reports that EEG tests came back normal for a student who suffered memory loss after a suspected food poisoning case.
The program, known in Indonesia as MBG, has drawn scrutiny over food safety as reports of illness accumulate. ANTARA News has also covered efforts to find a suitable kitchen scale for the program, an indication of the operational questions surrounding meal preparation.
The seven-day ultimatum reported by thestar.com.my adds pressure on the program's administrators, though the source summary does not specify who issued the deadline or what action it demands. The threatened lawsuit and the criminal case in North Sumatra suggest the dispute is moving toward formal legal channels.
What to watch next: whether the deadline passes without a response, and how the criminal complaint in North Sumatra proceeds.
