Chronology of Hundreds of Students Poisoned by Free Nutritious Meal Programme at Manba’ul Hikam Islamic Boarding School Sidoarjo

The management of the Manba’ul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, Ahmad Zainal, has revealed the chronology of the health complaints experienced by several students after consuming Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

Ahmad explained that the MBG meals arrived at the madrasah premises at approximately 12:00 WIB and were ready to be distributed to the students. Around 13:00 WIB, the students began consuming the meals as usual.

Following the meal, teaching and learning activities continued. According to Ahmad, no symptoms were felt by the students until around 15:00 WIB. “From 13:00 to 15:00, teaching and learning activities were active and no symptoms were felt by the students,” Ahmad stated when contacted by Republika on Wednesday (2/9/2026).

Subsequently, between 15:00 and 15:30 WIB, all students performed congregational prayers. Following this activity, several complaints began to emerge from some students.

These complaints then increased until the situation became an emergency, as more students began experiencing similar symptoms.

“During the lessons after congregational prayer, some complaints from students began to arise, eventually reaching an emergency state as more students experienced the same symptoms,” said Ahmad.

After Maghrib, ambulances from various hospitals and volunteers began to arrive. Students requiring medical attention were subsequently referred to several hospitals within the Sidoarjo region.

Ahmad emphasised that the health complaints were not limited to the Manba’ul Hikam Islamic Boarding School environment. Several other boarding schools and schools in the surrounding area were also reported to have experienced similar incidents.

“This includes nearby boarding schools and schools,” he said. He mentioned that victims of the poisoning also included students from SDN Kalitengah and SMP Muhammadiyah 8.

Ahmad also clarified circulating information suggesting that the incident only occurred at Manba’ul Hikam. He noted that media attention was primarily focused on his school because many private vehicles and ambulances were seen transporting students for treatment.

“Last night, almost all media attention was directed towards Manba’ul Hikam, due to the high volume of private cars and ambulances transporting victims,” he added.