Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Simultaneous Great Harvest of Corn and Groundbreaking of 10 National Police’s Food Security Warehouses, at Tuban Regency, East Java Province, Saturday, May 16, 2026
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon,
May peace and prosperity be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue,
Distinguished Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) General Listyo Sigit Prabowo as the host and organizer, along with all personnel of the Indonesian National Police in attendance;
Distinguished Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan;
Distinguished Chairperson of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Siti Hediati Soeharto;
Distinguished Ministers, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Heads of State Agencies, Vice Ministers, and members of the Red and White Cabinet present today, thank you for understanding that I will not mention their names individually, as I have already mentioned many of them earlier today.
I thank you for your understanding because they are key figures, they are our team, my team, working together tirelessly to lead this nation, govern this country, protect our people, and safeguard all the wealth belonging to our people. For that reason, I am grateful for the support of ministers, vice ministers, heads of state agencies, commanders, the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police, and police generals. When the military and police maintain order and security effectively, people often take it for granted. Yet when something goes wrong, they are criticized. That is the reality faced by authorities and public servants. Nevertheless, that is our duty. Therefore, we must work hard to ensure that everything remains secure, orderly, and functioning smoothly. The stability and orderliness of a nation are greatly determined by food security.
I may not hold many academic titles, nor high degrees, but I am someone who enjoys learning. I study history and statecraft, and what I have learned is that no nation can survive without stable, secure, and sustainable food production. Not [relying on] merely one successful harvest followed by poor harvests thereafter.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I would like to express my appreciation. Ah, I have not yet finished [mentioning] the distinguished guests. My apologies, I became too enthusiastic.
Distinguished Governer of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa and all members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of East Java;
Regent of Tuban Aditya Halindra Faridzky. Aditya Halindra, not the Gerindra Party. Halindra, Gerindra, the names are somewhat similar. All political parties are good. In statecraft, every party has good elements and bad elements. We fight to ensure the good elements outweigh the bad.
Distinguished community leaders and religious leaders whom I respect, and especially the farmers’ groups. The farmers whom I respect and am proud of, as well as agricultural facilitators and women farmers. I feel close to farmers because I served as the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) for quite a long time. My position has now been succeeded by the current chairperson, who is also the Vice Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Sudaryono.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Why do I feel close to farmers? Because I was once a military commander, a combat commander. Whenever we prepared for military operations, the first thing we checked was not ammunition. We certainly checked ammunition, but first we asked whether there was enough rice. We calculated how long the rice supply would last. If the supply was sufficient for five days, then operations could last five days. If it was enough for fourteen days, then operations could continue for fourteen days. Imagine if there were no rice at all. Without food, even soldiers would struggle to operate. That is why, in the military, we are taught survival skills. If there is no food, we must find food ourselves. History has also taught us that during Indonesia’s struggle for independence, there was no state budget. Soldiers and police officers received no salaries. There were no official appointment decrees either. So, there was a positive side to it back then; when we was enthusiastic, we could just gather our subordinates and gave ranks for ourselves. “[I think] I fit the rank of a colonel,” [We could just say that randomly] only to be demoted the very next day.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At that time, it was the farmers who supported the military and the police. When I was young–well, my spirit is still young today–back when I was a young lieutenant, even as a cadet, whenever we trained in villages, local communities would come out to provide us with food and drinks, even though they themselves lived under difficult conditions. If they had bananas, they shared bananas. If they had cassava, they shared cassavas. If they had tiwul (cassava-based staple food), they shared tiwul. Tiwul is food from Central Java province, Banyumas. Is there the East Java version of Tiwul? Is there? It is also called tiwul, right? Made from cassava. This experience made me increasingly aware of the importance of farmers and fishermen. Farmers and fishermen are the producers of food for the entire nation.
Therefore, anyone who wishes to see this nation long endure must pay close attention to food security. For this reason, I would like to express my appreciation to our agriculture and food teams, led by the Minister of Agriculture, the Vice Minister of Agriculture, heads of agencies, State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Agrinas, and all supporting institutions. They are also supported by the Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Chief of Indonesian National Police (Polri), as well as all the personnel. I have always stated that our military is the people’s military and our police are the people’s police. We are not merely a professional military. Yes, professionalism is important in terms of capability, but our security forces must also remain close to the people. Achieving food self-sufficiency is impossible without support from all parties, from governors, regents, district heads, village heads, farmers’ groups, state-owned enterprises supporting local fertilizer production and seed development, as well as the TNI and Polri personnel on the ground.
Today, I am very pleased to be invited here. I have witnessed the extraordinary role of the National Police, and I believe this is the result of leadership. If performance is good, it must be acknowledged. In any organization, if the organization performs well, it reflects good leadership. Right? In a football team, if they win, it means the manager is good, the coach is good, and the team captain is good. Isn’t that right? Their contract then gets extended. Correct? If things don’t go well, they get replaced. It is that simple. This is life. So, do not expect to be a football captain just by losing repeatedly. Take the Minister of Agriculture, for instance. If we cannot achieve food self-sufficiency… Well, in fact, I gave him a target of four years, but it could be achieved within one year. Incredible. I had no choice but to award him Bintang Jasa Utama medal. It was not even on Heroes’ Day or Independence Day, [but I still] awarded him the medal. If he succeeds again this year, how do I award him another one? What class of medal would that be?
I could see that the National Police is also high-performing. Has the National Police Chief received the Bintang Mahaputera medal? Soon enough, I will present it to you. TNI Commander, you haven’t received it either? I will present it to you as well. So, this is my fate to present [the awards] for those who haven’t [received it]. However, for the things that are not yet resolved, I am also the one who has to resolve them.
So that is the rule of statecraft, the rule of organizations. Success means the commander is good. In combat history, including Indonesian history, during the war, battalions usually had numbers on them. But back then, they were famously known by their commanders instead: the Sarwo Edi Battalion, the Sarwo Edi Company, the Ahmad Yani Battalion, the Kemal Idris Battalion. That was how it was when [the commanders] succeeded. If they failed, they were replaced.
I could see here that Mr. Listyo has succeeded. What else can I say? I have seen impressive achievements in the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which has been implemented in the cleanest and orderly manner. This is not me flatteringly praising you. I am quite stingy when it comes to giving praise, but I want to be objective. Then, corn. Is this the second time you have invited me to the grand harvest? The third time. This is already the third time. There are exhibition booths as well, and each time I witnessed innovation after innovation. I am genuinely happy [for this]; I am not even pretending. I am relieved. Why? Because even though the world is facing an energy crisis and countries are panicking, today I was informed that charcoal briquettes can now be produced from corn cobs. That is remarkable. Materials that were previously discarded can now become a source of energy. Thank you, National Police Chief. Thank you, National Police. You are often criticized, even for the slightest things. [People also] demand reforms. But now, you have proven yourselves.
Again, I am not just praising you, but this is the truth. Amidst a crisis, Indonesia has innovative programs. [People behind the programs] that refuse to surrender, that are brave enough to seek knowledge, because you are close to the people. You are close to the colleges. You are close to the engineers and graduates; that is why you know. This is extraordinary. My apologies, [this idea of] charcoal briquettes being made from corn cobs—I agree, this is a miracle. A miracle. Other nations might feel tense [about this]. Ah, there are foreign people here as well. Well, they will eventually find out about our secrets. They do not speak Indonesian, though. Let them guess, then; hopefully, they understand. Later they will take notes: “briquettes, arang (charcoal).” Arang. What is arang? Then they will open ChatGPT. [Seems like] It was my mistake to invite them; now they will find out about our inventions. Well, it does not matter anyway. For the sake of humanity, anyone is allowed to copy from Indonesia.
I am pleased to see the corn shellers. I see the mobile dryers. Those are remarkable. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a strategic achievement of service. I am not joking. Food is a strategic matter. Every effort to secure and increase food production means safeguarding our future and our sovereignty. Earlier, [I was informed that] there was also fertilizer made from coal; that is also extraordinary. This is a miracle, in my opinion. We can take low-calorie coal and turn it into fertilizer. Outstanding. Later, this can be mixed with the regular NPK fertilizer. If possible, mix it with organic, plant-based fertilizers. Once we break free from dependency on imported fertilizers, Indonesia will become even stronger. And I ask for this to be implemented. Good concepts and innovations are meaningless if we cannot put them into practice—that is the key.
Earlier, we also inaugurated the Red and White Cooperatives (Koperasi Merah Putih), which can later help distribute products such as charcoal briquettes and fertilizers. The key is ensuring that essential goods are made available to the people at the lowest prices possible so that their purchasing power and quality of life continue to improve. We are determined to improve schools across Indonesia for our children. We are determined to ensure that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds can access quality education through the development of people’s schools. If I am not mistaken, there are already people’s schools in Tuban; we will increase their number and capabilities. We will establish leading schools and integrated schools as well. We will improve all schools and also equip classrooms with modern digital screens so that access to knowledge is equal across Indonesia, from the outermost regions to major cities.
The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) will continue, but it must be implemented properly and free from irregularities because the program is highly strategic for the people. Through the Red and White Cooperatives, MBG, and fishing villages, all supported by our agricultural and fishery capabilities, our food production will remain secure with carbohydrates, protein, livestock, and corn as strategic feed supplies. In this way, our sovereignty will remain safeguarded.
I believe those are the points I wish to convey today. Thank you to the Indonesian National Police for your achievements, including the groundbreaking of 10 Food Security Warehouses in addition to 18 already built, as well as the launch of 166 new Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG). Altogether, there will eventually be 1,500 SPPG units. That concludes my remarks.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
This is what you have been waiting for, right? If there is no “wassalam”, it means it is not over yet. So, when it is “Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh”, ah, it means it is finished. But it is not completely finished yet, right? Do you want to continue?
May peace be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om santi santi santi om,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greeeting of virtue,
Rahayu-rahayu.
(YA/MMB)