JAKARTA: Indonesia has set up 100 army battalions to help with agriculture projects under President Prabowo Subianto’s food security initiative, an official said on Wednesday, underscoring the growing role of the military in civilian life.
Since being inaugurated as president last year, Prabowo, a former special forces commander, has expanded the role of the military, including using soldiers to deliver his flagship free school meals project and to manufacture medicines for public use.
The battalions, consisting of thousands of soldiers, will be installed across Indonesia to work on agriculture and health projects, especially in remote areas, army spokesman brigadier general Wahyu Yudhayana told Reuters.