Noodle scandal hits Maluku govt

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

A number of refugees in Wainitu subdistrict, Ambon, suffered from diarrhea and vomiting after eating expired instant noodles distributed by the government less than a week ago, a local councillor said on Monday.

Maluku councillor Rury Moenandar said he discovered that several packs of instant noodles distributed to refugees in Wainitu had already expired.

The instant noodles had expiration dates of May 8 or Sept. 9.

"Some refugees had already eaten the instant noodles, which is actually dangerous," said Rury, who is a councillor of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction.

He called on the Maluku governor to punish those officials responsible for the distribution of food aid to refugees in Wainitu.

Several refugees in Wainitu expressed concern over the incident. "We need food, but please don't treat us inhumanely," said a refugee.

Meanwhile, Wainitu subdistrict head Otang Tagupia defended himself, saying he was away when Maluku Social Affairs officials distributed the instant noodles.

"I was represented by my subordinates at that time, but apparently they did not check the expiration dates on the instant noodles and distributed the noodles," said Otang. He did not provide details on the number of instant noodle packets his subordinates distributed.

Sartono is reported to have managed the distribution of food aid in Wainitu, but could not be contacted for comment, nor was the Maluku Social Affairs office available.

The refugees in Wainitu hail from neighboring Talake subdistrict, which was hit by riots that broke out in Ambon on April 25.

The riot erupted after a rally organized by the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) to commemorate the self-proclaimed 54th anniversary of its South Maluku Republic (RMS), and was blamed for provoking renewed sectarian clashes in Ambon.

Dozens of people were killed and thousands of others were injured in the clashes.

Some employees at the office said the instant noodles were provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs following the April 25 riot.

However, the question remains as to why the food aid was not distributed to the refugees immediately.