Probe into expired noodle case begins

AMBON, Maluku: Ambon Police have begun investigating the expired instant noodle scandal that recently hit refugee camps in Wainitu subdistrict, Nusaniwe district, Ambon.

Chief of Ambon and Lease Islands Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan said on Thursday the police had questioned eight witnesses in connection with the case since Wednesday, including several refugees and a local neighborhood unit chief.

The scandal was brought to light recently after officials at the Maluku Social Welfare Office distributed hundreds of packs of instant noodles as food aid to dozens of refugees in Wainitu. It was discovered that some of the noodles had expired after several refugees exhibited symptoms of mild food poisoning. -- JP