Indonesia’s top human rights body has called for a police investigation after about 2,000 students and teachers fell ill from suspected food poisoning linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s free-meals programme.

The cases were reported across several provinces, including Central Java, East Java and West Sumatra, with another 170 people falling ill in South Sulawesi.

The programme was launched to tackle malnutrition among Indonesians.

The rights body has also urged authorities to suspend kitchens linked to the incidents, amid concerns over poor food storage and delayed delivery, while a lawmaker said about 50,000 people have been affected by food poisoning cases since the programme began.