Prabowo Defends Military and Police Involvement in Agriculture

President Prabowo Subianto has defended his decision to involve the police and military in the agricultural sector, urging the public not to question the policy. Speaking during a mass harvest event at Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Base in Malang, East Java, on Friday, Prabowo stated that the deployment of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) is aimed at strengthening national food security. He asserted that the security forces must play a role in solving the people’s problems, including food supply issues.

Prabowo argued that the role of Indonesian security forces cannot be compared to that of police or military in other countries, as the TNI and Polri belong to the people. ‘We must overcome the people’s difficulties. The TNI and Polri must overcome the people’s difficulties. In other countries, that is your own business,’ he said. He also asked external parties not to comment excessively on the policy.

The mass harvest, which took place simultaneously at 43 locations across Indonesia, included sugarcane, soybeans, and rice. Prabowo described the event as a demonstration that food security is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, but a national movement involving the entire strength of the nation. He expressed appreciation for the spirit of unity, collaboration, and mutual cooperation shown by all components of the country. The former defence minister also stressed that farmers and fishers must live prosperously with high incomes, calling them the true heroes who provide staple food for the people.