Jakarta, Feb. 14 -- President Prabowo Subianto on Friday defended the military and police's involvement in Indonesia's drive for food self-sufficiency, saying their participation was essential to safeguard public welfare despite criticism at home and abroad.

Speaking at the inauguration of more than 1,700 nutrition service units and police food security buildings in Jakarta, Prabowo said the armed forces and police were "people's institutions" responsible for protecting citizens, including from hunger.

He dismissed foreign media criticism that deploying security forces to boost food production contradicted free-market principles, saying Indonesia's priority was ensuring food availability and national resilience rather than adhering to e...