Gibran Meets Parents of Students in Batang Food Poisoning Case, Vows Swift Probe

RRI.CO.ID, Batang – Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming met with the parents of students affected by suspected food poisoning at Pasusukan State Elementary School in Batang Regency, Central Java, on Monday, September 28, 2026. During the meeting, the Vice President apologized and assured the families that the government would follow up on their concerns and step up efforts to treat those affected.

Gibran said he understood the parents’ concerns about their children’s health. He stressed that the government was committed to ensuring that all victims received the necessary treatment, while an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

"I sincerely apologize for this incident. You have every right to be concerned about the current situation, and I fully understand your concerns," he said, as quoted from the Indonesian Vice Presidential Secretariat.

During the dialogue, one of the students’ parents, Faizun, asked the government to evaluate the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and find solutions to prevent similar incidents from happening again. "We will find the best solution, Sir. Clearly, the management needs to be improved so that incidents like this do not happen again,” the Vice President replied.

Gibran said his visit to Bawang expressed the national government’s concern and was intended to ensure the victims were properly treated and their families received certainty about the situation. He also called for the investigation to be completed promptly and for oversight to be strengthened to prevent similar incidents.

“If I were in your position, I would certainly also be worried if my child were suffering from food poisoning. That is why I came here today to ensure that the victims are properly treated, the families receive certainty, the investigation is completed, and oversight is strengthened,” he added.

Regarding the investigation, Gibran called for the process to be conducted swiftly and for the findings to be communicated openly to the victims’ families. He also stressed that similar incidents must not happen again.

“The investigation is currently underway, but I assure you that it will be conducted swiftly, and the findings will be communicated openly and transparently to you,” Gibran said.

At the end of the meeting, Gibran asked the local government to ensure that every concern raised by the victims’ families was addressed clearly and in a coordinated manner. He also asked the regent to appoint a cross-sector person in charge (PIC) to coordinate the response, covering health services, education services, and the families’ needs.