President Prabowo explains why TNI and police are involved in farming

President Prabowo Subianto has defended the active role of the Indonesian military (TNI) and police in supporting national food security, asserting that their involvement in agriculture and infrastructure projects is crucial for addressing public challenges and bolstering national resilience. Speaking at a national food security event in Malang, East Java, on July 17, 2026, Prabowo stated that security forces must be present among the people to help solve their problems.

"Don't get too caught up in procedures, why the military is in the fields, why the police are planting corn," Prabowo said, responding to criticism. "This is Indonesia. TNI/Polri belong to the people; we must overcome the people's difficulties. TNI/Polri must overcome the people's difficulties."

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Don't get too caught up in procedures, why the military is in the fields, why the police are planting corn. This is Indonesia. TNI/Polri belong to the people; we must overcome the people's difficulties. TNI/Polri must overcome the people's difficulties.

Prabowo highlighted that the TNI and Polri's duties extend beyond maintaining security to actively supporting government programs that directly improve public welfare. He expressed his pride and deep emotion regarding the security forces' contributions, mentioning the TNI's construction of thousands of bridges and the Polri's efforts in providing thousands of clean water sources across the country.

The president reiterated his belief that the TNI and Polri are instruments of the people and should therefore be actively involved in assisting them. This approach, he argued, strengthens the nation's overall resilience by ensuring that the needs and challenges faced by the public are directly addressed by their own security apparatus.

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I am truly happy and I truly feel touched. TNI built how many thousands of bridges, Polri also how many thousands of water points. We overcome, the people's difficulties we overcome.