President Prabowo: TNI/Polri Involvement in Agriculture Helps Overcome People's Hardships

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in assisting farmers, fishermen, and infrastructure development is part of an effort to overcome public difficulties while strengthening national resilience. Speaking at the TNI Grand Harvest event in support of the Food Security Programme at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in Malang Regency, East Java, on Friday, President Prabowo stated that the TNI and Polri must be present within the community to help resolve various issues faced by the people.

President Prabowo also addressed criticism questioning the involvement of the TNI and Polri in the agricultural sector, including helping farmers in the rice fields and supporting corn planting. According to him, this step is a tangible manifestation of the apparatus’s dedication to the community. “Don’t be too concerned with this procedure, why are soldiers in the rice fields, why are police planting corn. No, this is Indonesia. The TNI/Polri belong to the people, we must overcome the people’s difficulties,” said President Prabowo.

He stated that the TNI and Polri are not only tasked with maintaining security but also with supporting government programmes that have a direct impact on public welfare. President Prabowo expressed pride in seeing the various contributions of the apparatus, ranging from the construction of thousands of bridges by the TNI to the provision of thousands of clean water points by the Polri. “I am truly happy and deeply moved. The TNI has built thousands of bridges, the Polri has provided thousands of water points. We overcome the people’s difficulties,” he remarked.