Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Simultaneous Great Harvest Across Indonesia along with TNI in Malang Regency, East Java Province on Friday, July 17, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

Peace be Upon Us All,

Shalom,
Salve,
Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, as the organizer, and the Deputy Commander of the TNI; Chiefs of Staff in attendance: Deputy TNI Commander General Tandyo Budi Revita, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Tonny Harjono; Chairman of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives Siti Hediati Soeharto, and the members of the Indonesian House of Representatives in attendance;

Members of the Red-and-White Cabinet in attendance: Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Defense General (Ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and Head of the National Land Agency Nusron Wahid, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of the Statistics Indonesia Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Professor Arif Satria, Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia Lt. Col. Teddy Indra Wijaya, Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono;

Distinguished regional leaders in attendance: East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and members of the East Java Provincial Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), Malang Regent Sanusi, Nganjuk Regent Marhaen Djumadi, Malang Mayor Wahyu Hidayat, Batu Mayor Nurochman, President Director of BULOG (State Logistics Agency) General TNI (Ret.) Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani;

Distinguished heads of state-owned enterprises and private companies, participants present via video conference at 42 locations, including the Military Regional Command (Kodam), Military Resort Command (Korem), and Air Force Base (Lanud);

Distinguished Rectors of IPB University and Brawijaya University, religious leaders, and religious scholars; Farmers’ groups, farmers, and agricultural extension workers;

Also present the Rector of Institutes, and I repeat, the Head of the Indonesian Sugar Plantation Research Center, Akmal Agustira;

Distinguished Deputy Chairman of the Syuriah PWNU (Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Executive) of East Java, Kiai Haji Abdul Matin Djawahir; Chairman of the Tanfidziyah PWNU of East Java, Kiai Haji Abdul Hakim Mahfudz Gus Kikin;

Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Sugarcane Farmers Association (APTRI) Muhammad Arum Sabil, please take off your hat. It’s okay, I’m also going bald, so I’m wearing a kopiah. Thinking about sugarcane farmers makes you bald;

Chairman of the Indonesian Denatured Alcohol and Ethanol Producers Association, Mr. Giovanni; Head of the Legal and Advocacy Division of the Reliable Farmers and Fishermen Contact, Mr. Ahmad Prayogo; Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Sugar Entrepreneurs Association, Mr. Yonathan; Chairman of the Sugarcane Farmers Association of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Fatchuddin Rosyidi; Representative of the East Java Sugarcane Farmers Group, Mr. Abdul Mujib, Arum’s subordinate. Why are you all bald? The management of the Indonesian Sugarcane Farmers Association must all be bald? Representative of the East Java Rice Farmers Group, Mr. Ngatiman. Well, you are not bald. Okay, thank you; Representative of the East Java Soybean Farmers Group, Mr. Puji Santosa from Pandean, Nganjuk;

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, those of you who are present at various locations via video conference, I cannot mention you all one by one.

As pious people, let us always express our gratitude to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, the Almighty God, the Owner of all the universe. We pray to Him alone, and we ask for help to Him alone. We are grateful for all the goodness, gifts, blessings, and peace He has bestowed upon us. We are grateful for the health and breath so that we can gather this afternoon for this proud and joyful event, namely the TNI Great Harvest, in support of the national food security program.

Congratulations on the successful implementation of the Integrated TNI Great Harvest, which was held simultaneously at 43 locations across Indonesia. This event demonstrates that food security is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, but is a national movement involving the entire nation. I deeply appreciate the spirit of unity, collaboration, and mutual cooperation from all elements of the nation.

Two months ago, on May 16, 2026, we witnessed the Great Corn Harvest with the National Police. Today, we witness the TNI Great Harvest of sugarcane, soybeans, and rice. This demonstrates that the TNI and National Police are not only the guardians of national security and resilience, but are an inseparable part of the Indonesian people. They are the people’s children. They must always be with the people, among the people. The people’s hardships are theirs. As long as there are people struggling, it is the duty of all elements to unite, work together, and take the right, big, and concrete steps to overcome the people’s hardships.

I am proud today, and I have been proud for the past few weeks. I see the hard work of all elements—ministers, the TNI Commander, and the Police Chief. All elements work agilely and ceaselessly. Many high-ranking state officials, ministers, and heads of agencies have collapsed and been hospitalized because of overwork. We are pursuing our goals. We realize that the people have long endured a life unworthy of living in a large and wealthy nation like ours. Therefore, the Government I lead is determined to do its best, to achieve the highest goals as quickly as possible. We do not want to become a relaxed nation. We will prove to the world that Indonesia is rising with our own strength.

Our nation’s founders have taught us over and over to believe in our own strength. No other nation pities us. For hundreds of years, they have come to take our wealth and to this day there are countries that always want to take our wealth and leave our people poor. We cannot accept that.

Therefore, once again I would like to thank all elements. We work together. I invite all forces to unite. Let us unite for our nation and people, unite for our children and grandchildren, unite to secure and regain control of all the wealth of Indonesia, so that our people can enjoy the wealth. We will be opposed, but it is a risk. Hundreds of years we want to be independent. Hundreds of years we want to live well, hundreds of years. And, we are free through struggle, blood, sweat and tears. We do not want to be an enemy to anyone. We want to be friends with all powers, all countries. However, we realize now that we have to be united. We have to live in unity−all elements, especially those elected by the people, especially those paid by the people, especially those in the Government, bureaucracy, and state-owned enterprises. We will not tolerate those trusted by the people and paid by the people, who implement policies and actions that harm the people. Especially those who steal the people’s money, we will not tolerate it. I will not tolerate it. As a president trusted by the people, I will not hesitate.

I thank you. We have achieved our target of food self-sufficiency. We are now on our way to energy self-sufficiency, and we are pioneering water self-sufficiency, so that all our people have access to clean water and water for crops. We are conducting a massive crackdown on all illegal activities, including smuggling, illegal mining, illegal plantations, illegal fishing, and illegal trading. This is a big work, but inshaallah, with determination, with heart, and with will, we will achieve our goal.

The Minister of Agriculture told me that there had been no sugarcane rejuvenation for 12 years, 12 years. We will now rejuvenate all the sugarcane we have. The Minister of Agriculture reported to me that our current program is 100,000 hectares per year. So, we can achieve this goal in four years. But after I asked him again, he bravely and boldly said, “Sir, we can do it in two years.” But I said, “Good, but take care of your health, Mr. Minister.” Promise me that you can do it in two years, but you don’t get sick and hospitalized. This country still needs you. So, all of you, ministers, generals, don’t get sick. If you want some advice, I’ll give you later. Soldiers are smart about finding time to rest, you know. They can even sleep during ceremonies. These are graduates of military academies, police academies, all of them, they have all that knowledge. They slept in class. But not now, that was in the past. In your era, you didn’t sleep in class, right? No, right? Because you had good nutrition.

So, we will speed up all our work and efforts. Now, we are about to see the results. The Minister of Finance reported that our economy is doing well. Amid the global challenges, amid wars everywhere, we are still doing quite well. We have successfully started production of a gas block, one of the largest in our region. After 28 years of stagnation, we are reviving it. We have also succeeded in becoming the first country in the world to produce B50. We are now producing diesel from palm oil. So, starting this July, we will no longer import diesel from abroad, ladies and gentlemen. The money should better circulate in Indonesia, benefiting palm oil farmers throughout Indonesia.

And, today I was presented, shown earlier. I apologize for taking a longer time to look at the exhibition. I see that we are already starting to move towards E10, Ethanol 10. So, gasoline can be blended with 10 percent ethanol. Even, the officials said that we can reach E20 but it needs the factory. We only have one factory. So, I decide that we will build at least 30 factories. If necessary, up to 50 factories. India has already achieved E20. Brazil is even E100. Why can’t Indonesia? Indonesia can do it, right? Am I right? Yes, Indonesia can do it. Those who don’t want to, that’s fine. Just sit back. Just sit back and watch. But don’t keep following foreign powers, okay? Indonesia is bad, what? Indonesia is dark. If you wear dark glasses, it is always dark. Every month Indonesia will collapse. In June, Indonesia collapses. Now, it has been already July. You always think that Indonesia will collapse. In the military, we have a jargon “leave and give sign”. We keep going. We work happily and optimistically. Brave people are happy. Brave people are optimistic. Let sad people just sit in their bedrooms.

Soon, we will have the national motorcycle. I will launch the national electric motorcycle in a few weeks. I hope that at least our farmers will ride motorcycles, electric motorcycles. Who knows, some of them might even drive cars. Some farmers even told me that they are currently on vacation in Hong Kong. I am happy to hear that. This is good. This written speech is quite short. I am reading paragraph five now. As for paragraph six, I will say ‘thank you’. But I have already said all of them.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are optimistic. We set our goals as high as the sky that Indonesia will become a prosperous country. We do not want to be stupid people anymore. We are friendly, but we are called weak. We are kind, but we are called stupid. Okay, it’s fine. We are friendly, and if you want to come to Indonesia, please do. Many foreigners are happy to come to Indonesia. We are a friendly nation. But now, we want to be a rising nation, ladies and gentlemen.

We will produce motorcycles made by Indonesian people. We will have cars made by Indonesian people. Currently, the TNI and the National Police are driving jeeps made by Indonesian people. When I served as the Minister of Defense, I was asked, “Sir, the TNI and…” TNI, at that time I was the Minister of Defense. The police also did not want to be under the Minister of Defense. But, about TNI, I was asked, “Sir, this is a good jeep. It is cheap, foreign-made, while this one is Indonesian-made but expensive, sir.” If I chose the cheap one, when will Indonesia have its own jeep, right? So, I chose the expensive one, quite expensive, but made by Indonesian people, namely the Maung, the car that is used by our officers currently. I heard that the Military District Commander (Danramil) has already used jeeps too. It’s dashing. Well, it cannot all be done at once. Those who shouted, “we have not received the jeep yet,” must be the Military District Commander. Babinsa (village supervisory non-commissioned officers) have got motorcycles, right? It is an electric motorcycle? That’s already in the movies. So now when I look at the city, I see jeeps, I’m proud. Wow, the TNI now uses its own jeeps.

Our weapons are recognized internationally. We have won shooting competitions. How many times? How many? 12 times? I think more, right? Australia won 12 times. There is ASEAN and so on. But this time, we won 12 consecutive times in their competitions. They made the rules, the referees were from them, the techniques were determined by them, but we won 12 times using weapons made by Indonesians. The assault rifles, pistols, and automatic weapons were our own weapons.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I heard that when we won, they were shocked. Indonesia was underestimated. The best militaries in the world were present there, such as the American army, Australian Marines, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, but Indonesia won 12 times. They wondered, ‘How could we win?’ They checked our weapons. They took them apart and checked the bullets to see if Indonesia was cheating. I am giving you an example of what we actually do if we are given good leadership, good equipment, and food allowances that are not corrupted. The commanders should set an example. The commanders should not be like, “jarkoni, ngajar iso ngelakoni oraiso” (Someone who can teach other people but cannot implementing his own teaching). The Indonesian military and police must be “ngarso sung tulodo”, be at the front to set an example. There will be a match between the generals, and I will be the referee.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Many experts around the world have predicted that in 2045, or between 2045 and 2050, Indonesia will become the fourth largest and richest country in the world. By 2050, China will be number one, followed by America and India respectively. Indonesia will become the fourth. By 2075, India will rise. We are fine for being the fourth in the world, right? By 2050, we will be above Japan, England, Brazil, and France. So, we have to be ready now. That is 2050, 25 years to go. So, the children who are 10 years old now in elementary school, they will be 25, 35 years old in the future. They are the future of Indonesia. If we do not take care of these children now, how can Indonesia become the fourth largest nation in the world? We must eliminate hunger. We must eradicate poverty, especially extreme poverty. Inshaalah, we can do it, ladies and gentlemen. We will save our budget. We will make it more efficient. If necessary, we will reduce the defense budget and the police budget to eradicate poverty. Are you willing to do it, TNI? Police? Are you willing? Are you willing to reduce the budget? Yes, you are willing to do it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The best defense is strong and prosperous people. If something goes wrong with the Indonesian nation, all the people will defend this nation, ladies and gentlemen. Therefore, from now on, the TNI and Police should be among the people, among the farmers and fishermen, ladies and gentlemen. Today I’m proud of, today I’m happy. I’m truly happy and deeply moved. The TNI have built thousands of bridges, and the Police have built thousands of water wells. We have addressed our people’s difficulties. We should not be too rigid about procedure, why are the soldiers in the rice fields, why are the police planting? No, this is Indonesia. The TNI and Police belong to the people. We must overcome the people’s difficulties. The TNI and Police must address the people’s difficulties. You are in another country, that is your business. You don’t need to get too involved in our affairs, right? You don’t feel sorry for us, do you?

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Thank you all.

Today I am happy. I am proud to be the President of the Republic of Indonesia, and I am proud of Indonesian farmers. Thank you, Indonesian farmers and fishermen. You are the true heroes. You produce food for all of us. Those who say rice is too expensive, tell them to plant rice with you. If farmers are not allowed to earn a high income, tell them to plant their own rice. The TNI will prepare the land for them. The Minister of Agriculture will prepare the land for them. Tell them to plant their own rice.

Thank you all.

I am proud of the TNI. I am proud of the Indonesian National Police. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, Friday, July 17, 2026, by the grace of God the Almighty, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, declare the Simultaneous Great Harvest along with the TNI has officially begun.

(JAS/MMB)