Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto said he will summon the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) following a series of mass food poisoning cases linked to the government’s free nutritious meal (MBG) program, which has sickened nearly 6,000 children across the country.

“I just returned from overseas a week ago, and I’ve been monitoring these developments. After this, I will immediately call the BGN chief along with other officials to discuss the matter,” Prabowo told reporters at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Saturday.

The president, who recently visited Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, called the situation a “big problem” but urged calm, warning against politicizing the issue. “There were clearly shortcomings from the start, but I am confident we can resolve this properly. We must stay vigilant; this program is meant for our children,” he said.

According to BGN, there have been 70 reported poisoning incidents since January, affecting 5,914 students in 21 provinces. The agency said cases were concentrated in three major regions: Sumatra (1,307 cases), Java (3,610 cases), and eastern Indonesia including Kalimantan and Sulawesi (997 cases).

The worst-hit areas included Bandar Lampung with 503 cases, Lebong in Bengkulu with 467, West Bandung with 411, Banggai Islands in Central Sulawesi with 339, and Kulon Progo in Yogyakarta with 305.

At a press conference on Friday, BGN Deputy Head Nanik S. Deyang apologized for the outbreaks. “From the bottom of my heart, I apologize on behalf of BGN and all meal providers in Indonesia. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see the videos of these children,” she said, adding that the agency would cover all medical costs for the victims.

Despite mounting criticism, the government said the program --launched earlier this year to fight malnutrition and strengthen food security-- will continue. Chief Community Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar dismissed any notion of suspension. “There is no plan for suspension. I haven’t heard of any,” he told reporters on Thursday.

The initiative has so far disbursed Rp 13 trillion ($800 million), reaching 22.7 million beneficiaries. Authorities aim to expand coverage to 82.9 million Indonesians by the end of 2025.