February 14, 2026 | 12:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto has explained why Indonesia’s military and police are involved in the government’s food security programs, saying both institutions are inseparable from the people and share responsibility for national welfare.
Speaking at the inauguration and groundbreaking of the Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) and a Food Resilience Warehouse at the Palmerah Police Sector in West Jakarta on Friday, February 13, 2026, Prabowo addressed criticism from foreign media and analysts over the role of the armed forces and police in food production and distribution.
“Some have criticized in foreign media, saying President Prabowo is using the military and the police to increase food production,” he said, quoting his critics.
Prabowo suggested the criticism was based on free-market principles that do not fully reflect Indonesia’s conditions.
“This is the people’s army and the people’s police,” he said.
“If the people suffer from food shortages, then the soldiers and police also suffer. The people’s suffering is the soldiers’ suffering, the people’s suffering is the police’s suffering. Their members are the people’s children.”
The president, who also chairs the Gerindra Party, praised the National Police for initiating the construction of 1,179 SPPG units, known as free nutritious meal kitchens, and 18 food resilience warehouses across the country.
According to Prabowo, security should not be narrowly defined as maintaining public order and territorial stability, but must also include economic and social welfare. He stressed that the most fundamental form of security for families is protection from hunger.
“I feel truly happy and satisfied,” Prabowo said.
“I see an institution that is very important for our country, the National Police, taking initiative in an area that may not seem to be its main task, but one that addresses a crucial problem for the safety of a nation.”
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