In the midst of criticism of the National Police, Prabowo defends the police from entering the food business.

President Prabowo Subianto used the corn harvest agenda in Tuban to emphasize that the work of the police and army should not only stop at security matters. (Photo: Rusman - Presidential Secretariat Press, Media, and Information Bureau)

TUBAN - President Prabowo Subianto used the corn harvest agenda in Tuban to emphasize that the work of the police and army should not only stop at security matters. The National Police and the TNI must also be close to the people, especially when the country is pursuing food security.

Prabowo made the statement at the Simultaneous Corn Harvest in the Second Quarter, the groundbreaking of 10 Food Security Warehouses of the National Police, and the operational launch of 166 SPPG of the National Police in Tuban, East Java, Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Prabowo said food security could not be done by one ministry. Local governments, farmers' groups, extension workers, SOEs, Bulog, Agrinas, TNI, and Polri must also move.

"Our police are the people's police. Our army is the people's army," said Prabowo.

He admitted that the National Police was often the target of public criticism. However, criticism must be answered with visible work in the field.

"You are often insulted. A little bit of the police is like this, the police is like this," he said.

In front of the police, Prabowo praised the role of the National Police in the Free Food and Nutrition Program or MBG. He said that the implementation of MBG by the National Police was orderly and clean.

"I see MBG is great, the cleanest, the most orderly," he said.

Prabowo also assessed the National Police showed innovation in the food agenda. He mentioned the use of corn cobs to make energy briquettes, a milling tool, a mobile dryer, and fertilizer from low-calorie coal.

According to Prabowo, such findings are important because the world is facing energy pressure. Local innovation can help Indonesia reduce its dependence on foreign supplies.

"From corn cobs it can be a source of energy. Incredible," said Prabowo.

He asked that the findings did not stop at the exhibition. The key is in its implementation in the field so that the benefits reach farmers and the community.

During the event, the National Police started the construction of 10 food security warehouses. Prabowo said that previously the National Police had built 18 warehouses. The National Police also launched 166 new SPPGs and are targeted to play a role in a total of 1,500 SPPGs.

Prabowo said the success of the organization depends heavily on leadership. He then praised the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo for the achievement.

"If the organization is good, it means the leader is good," he said.

For Prabowo, the involvement of the apparatus in food is not an additional matter. Food determines the stability of the country. Therefore, the apparatus must be present not only when there is a security disturbance, but also when the people need the most basic support to survive.