From Corn Cobs to Briquettes: Prabowo Praises Polri's Innovation in the Food Sector

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TUBAN – President Prabowo Subianto expressed his admiration for the various innovations carried out by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in supporting national food and energy security, including the use of corn cob waste to produce charcoal briquettes.

The President made these remarks during a simultaneous corn harvest and groundbreaking ceremony for 10 Polri food security warehouses in Tuban, East Java, on Saturday (16 May 2026). He was impressed by Polri’s various breakthroughs amidst the current global energy crisis affecting many countries.

“I am relieved. Why? Because the world is facing an energy crisis, and countries are panicking. But now I have been told, ‘Mr. President, don’t worry, we can make charcoal briquettes from corn cobs.’ Wow, that’s amazing,” Prabowo said in his speech.

The President believes that this innovation proves that agricultural waste, which was previously considered worthless, can now be transformed into a useful energy source for the community. “Previously, these cobs were discarded, but now they can become an energy source. Thank you, Chief of Police, thank you, Indonesian Police,” he said.

Prabowo emphasised that his appreciation is not just praise but also recognition of the innovations and real work carried out by personnel in the field, including amidst public pressure often directed at the Polri institution. “You are often criticised, with people saying this and that about the Polri. But now you have proven it,” he said.

According to him, Polri’s closeness to the community, campuses, and academics is the key to the birth of these strategic innovations. “Because you are close to the people, close to campuses, close to engineers and scholars, that’s why you know. This is extraordinary,” he said.

In addition to briquettes from corn cobs, Prabowo also appreciated the innovation in developing low-calorie coal-based fertiliser, which is considered capable of strengthening national agricultural independence. “The fertiliser made from this low-calorie coal is also amazing. I think it’s a miracle. We can make fertiliser from low-calorie coal,” said Prabowo.

If this innovation can be widely implemented, Prabowo said, Indonesia will be free from dependence on imported fertilisers and become more sovereign in the food sector. “Once we are free from dependence on foreign fertilisers, we will be very strong.”

To accelerate the distribution of these innovations to the community, the President directed that the newly inaugurated Merah Putih Cooperative network also be involved as its main channel. “We just inaugurated the Merah Putih Cooperative. This can be utilised, and the Merah Putih Cooperative can distribute briquettes from corn cobs, as well as fertiliser from coal and so on,” he concluded.