Prabowo: I Will Be Held Accountable If This Nation Faces Hunger

President Prabowo Subianto affirmed his full responsibility as head of state and as the mandate holder of popular sovereignty if the Indonesian nation experiences hunger. The President made this statement during the inauguration of 1,061 Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (KDKMP) in Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on Saturday (16/5).

The President stated that as a leader who has taken an oath, no other party can be held accountable for food-related matters except himself. He emphasized the importance of food sovereignty for Indonesia’s 287 million people.

“As President, I am responsible, I am the mandate holder of popular sovereignty. I took the oath, and I am responsible. If this nation is hungry, I am responsible,” Prabowo said in his speech, as monitored through the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Saturday (16/5).

In an effort to prevent this threat, Prabowo has instructed Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman to accelerate the target of food self-sufficiency. Although initially projected to be achieved within four years, the President is optimistic that this target can be achieved more quickly, even within a year.

The President specifically expressed his appreciation for the performance of Minister Amran, who is considered to have a deep understanding of agricultural issues. Prabowo recounted the moment when he proposed Amran to the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, to be reappointed as Minister of Agriculture.

“I asked him two or three questions, and it turned out that this person has good ideas. Then I proposed him to Mr. Jokowi, and he was brought back as Minister of Agriculture. The rest is history. He finally fought because he understands the problem,” he said.

In addition to focusing on food, President Prabowo also highlighted the nation’s mentality, which is often underestimated by foreigners as a