Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto defended his free school meal program when came under scrutiny Monday after some 6,000 children suffered food poisoning, saying the affected percentage was small and the initiative was still in its early stages.

The food poisonings have sparked a public outcry with TV channels broadcasting images of children being treated on hospital beds.

Local non-profit organisations have called for the suspension of the programme.

The multibillion-dollar initiative, which also offers free meals for pregnant women, has rapidly expanded since its launch in January, with around 30 million recipients to date.

It aims to reach 83 million by the year’s end.

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Prabowo defended his school meal program saying, “Yes, there were shortcomings, food poisoni

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