President Prabowo: Those Who Say Rice Is Expensive Should Grow It Themselves

President Prabowo Subianto has defended farmers who are often the target of criticism due to high rice prices. He argued that the public must understand the difficulty of the food production process, and that farmers are therefore entitled to a decent income from their hard work. The statement was made by Prabowo while attending a TNI Grand Harvest event to support the Food Security Programme at Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh, Malang Regency, East Java. The President saw nothing wrong with the TNI and Polri being involved in efforts to strengthen food security. For him, both institutions are part of the people and have a duty to help overcome the public’s difficulties. “Don’t get too caught up in procedures, asking why the army is in the rice fields, why the police are planting corn. No, this is Indonesia. 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,” he asserted. Prabowo then expressed his appreciation to farmers and fishermen, whom he considers true heroes for maintaining national food availability. “I am proud of Indonesian farmers! Thank you, Indonesian farmers and fishermen. You are the true heroes. You produce food for all of us,” he said. On the same occasion, Prabowo issued a sharp response to criticism regarding the high price of rice. He suggested that anyone questioning farmers’ incomes should experience for themselves how difficult it is to plant rice. “Those who say rice is too expensive, tell them to plant rice themselves! If they say farmers shouldn’t have a high income, tell them to plant rice themselves. The TNI will prepare land for them, the Minister of Agriculture will prepare land for them. Tell them to plant it themselves. It’s not that easy,” Prabowo stated. Closing his remarks, the President reiterated his pride in the farmers and the ranks of the TNI and Polri, whom he believes have worked together to help improve the people’s welfare.