Prabowo Praises Agriculture Minister's Achievements, Jests About His Farming Background: 'Always in the Rice Fields'

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, showcased Indonesia’s rice self-sufficiency while praising the achievements of the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Andi Amran Sulaiman, during a speech at the inauguration of the Marsinah Museum in Nganjuk, East Java, on Saturday (16/5).

Prabowo stated that Andi Amran had successfully achieved rice self-sufficiency for Indonesia amidst the current global crisis.

“Many countries now want to buy rice from us (Indonesia). Imagine if we were not self-sufficient. If we had not quickly resolved the agricultural issues… Thank you to all parties,” Prabowo said in his speech, as broadcast on the Setpres RI YouTube account.

“Luckily, we have a great Minister of Agriculture (Andi Amran Sulaiman) because he is indeed a farmer’s son,” Prabowo added, pointing to the position where Minister Amran was sitting.

In addition to praise, Prabowo also made a joke about Amran, referring to his physical appearance as a typical farmer.

“He does have a dark complexion,” Prabowo said with a chuckle, which was then met with laughter from the audience at the event.

“If he weren’t dark, I would be suspicious. He’s always in the rice fields. Every time I call him, he’s here, he’s there. It’s okay. He’s a great minister,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo’s jokes also targeted the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono.

“Thank you. His team is also great. His deputy (Wamen Sudaryono) is also dark like him. He’s also a farmer’s son who understands things, so he can’t be fooled,” Prabowo said, again met with laughter from the audience.

Prabowo also praised the role of the TNI and Polri in helping to achieve food self-sufficiency and the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

“I thank the Commander of the TNI, and the TNI for helping. Polri, I thank you. The police are also extraordinary. Supporting this process, corn, then warehouses, then hundreds of MBG kitchens. Perhaps the best thing about the police now is that they are the most clean,” Prabowo said, met with applause from the audience.