Jakarta — President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, asserted that his administration will not hesitate to protect farmers from unfair price manipulation of their agricultural products. This firm stance was conveyed during the Plenary Cabinet Session held at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday (May 5).
“I’m not playing around. I hold in my hand the 1945 Constitution, Article 33, which grants me the authority to ensure that resources essential to the public are controlled by the state and used as much as possible for the benefit of the people. I won’t hesitate to exercise that authority,” Prabowo emphasized.
During the same session, Prabowo issued a stern warning to rice millers who continue to buy crops at extremely low prices. He stressed that the government would not hesitate to revoke the business licenses of those who exploit farmers.
“We are requiring rice millers to comply, and I warn those who insist on buying harvests at rock-bottom prices — we will revoke your operating licenses,” he declared.
Prabowo also reminded business owners that they must not focus solely on maximizing personal profits but also ensure fairness for farmers, who also deserve to benefit economically.
“Article 33 is powerful — we are Indonesia Incorporated. Yes, businesses should profit, but not by capitalizing on the suffering of the people. You may profit, but so must the people — the farmers must profit too,” he added.
He also highlighted improvements in the fertilizer distribution process, which had previously been bogged down by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
“For the first time, we’ve streamlined the entire fertilizer distribution system, which used to be tangled in administrative red tape. Now it goes directly from the factory to farmer groups — no more need for permits from governors or regents. This simplification has been well received. More than 100 million farmers are now experiencing increased incomes, thanks to the enforcement of a minimum price for freshly harvested unmilled rice,” Prabowo concluded.
