Indonesia’s Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has sacked the head of a free meals programme for schoolchildren after a string of poisoning incidents raised questions about oversight. The move, confirmed by palace sources, comes amid growing political pressure on the Prabowo camp as he positions himself for a presidential run.
The programme, a flagship scheme of the Widodo administration, has been plagued by reports of food contamination. At least 120 children were hospitalised last month alone. Critics blamed rushed implementation and crony contracts.
Prabowo’s team moved swiftly to distance him from the fallout. A senior aide said the minister “acted decisively” to protect the scheme’s integrity. But whispers in Jakarta suggest the sacking was a pre-emptive strike. Polls show Prabowo’s approval dipping among rural voters, a key constituency for the free meals initiative.
The ousted official, Heru Budi Hartono, had been a loyalist. His removal is seen as a warning to other appointees: deliver or walk the plank. The question now is whether a new boss can restore confidence before the next election cycle.
Insiders say the replacement is a technocrat with no political baggage. But cleaning up the supply chain won't be easy. The programme feeds 20 million children daily. Any disruption risks a public backlash.
Prabowo’s rivals are circling. The opposition is calling for a parliamentary inquiry. A backbench rebellion within his own coalition is brewing. For now, the minister has contained the damage. But the game is far from over.
