Indonesian President Prabowo criticizes 'unpatriotic' experts on rice imports

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has again criticized what he perceives as unpatriotic experts whose views allegedly disregard national interests. His remarks were specifically directed at experts who, according to Prabowo, advocate for rice import policies that ultimately harm Indonesian farmers.

During a National Farmers and Fishermen Week event in Gorontalo, Prabowo stated, "Many smart experts, even now, still consider themselves smart, saying why should we defend Indonesian farmers." He recounted his experience as the former head of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI), where he opposed a government plan for rice imports.

Prabowo argued that importing rice, especially when farmers are about to harvest, would devastate prices for them. "Especially importing rice when farmers are about to harvest, prices will be destroyed for farmers. Our farmers cannot profit, cannot even cover their costs," he said. He expressed shock and sadness at the viewpoint of one of the economic advisors at the time, who suggested that if Indonesian farmers were inefficient, it would be better to buy rice from Vietnam.

"These are the words of those smart people, not Mr. Aburizal Bakrie. But one of his advisors said, 'If Indonesian farmers are not efficient, that's what he said. If Vietnamese farmers are more efficient, it's better we buy rice from Vietnam.' That's the view of those smart people, I was shocked, I was shocked and I was sad. I said in my heart, 'This is a big mistake,'" Prabowo recounted.