Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has described palm oil as a "miracle crop," rejecting criticism from groups that oppose the expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia.

Prabowo made the remarks during a briefing at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting of central and regional governments at the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC) in Bogor, West Java, on Monday, February 2, 2026.

"Why palm oil? For me, it is a miracle crop," Prabowo said before thousands of government officials attending the meeting.

He argued that Indonesia could achieve energy self-sufficiency by optimizing palm oil production, but said the idea often faces resistance.

"There are groups that criticize, asking why palm oil. They say, 'Prabowo wants to expand palm oil?' Yes, for the Indonesian people," he said, adding that he was unfazed by such criticism.

Prabowo, who also serves as chair of the Gerindra Party, highlighted the wide range of uses for palm oil, noting that it can be processed into products such as paint, food, soap, and biofuel. Expanding palm oil cultivation, he said, would allow Indonesia to produce biofuel domestically.

"Later we will produce biofuel. It will make us independent from external dependence. Those who want to use gasoline can continue. Those who can afford it can pay. But our people can rely on biofuel," he said.

"From palm oil, we can develop many derivative products."

Prabowo also claimed that Indonesian palm oil is in high demand globally. He said several world leaders he has met have asked Indonesia to help supply their countries' crude palm oil needs.

"I have visited many countries, and almost all their leaders asked Indonesia for assistance in supplying palm oil," Prabowo said, citing visits to Egypt, Pakistan, Russia, and Belarus. "This shows that palm oil is a very strategic commodity."

– Dede Leni contributed to the writing of this article.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2084536/prabowo-defends-palm-oil-expansion-calls-it-a-miracle-cro