Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has appealed to the people, especially those living in Turen sub-district,  Malang district, East Java, to uphold peace and security.

To maintain harmony and security in society, there needs to be good collaboration between people, the national defense forces, the national police, village administrations, as well as the regional government, he said in Malang district on Thursday.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we must always get along and must work well with each other. Then, with the village leaders, national defense forces, national police, including the regional government," the minister added.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is still visible, he said. However, the government has been able to handle it well, as seen by the decline in COVID-19 cases.

The war between Ukraine and Russia has also affected people in Indonesia, which has also compromised the community's economy.

"Right now, the economy is in trouble all over the world due to the impact of COVID-19 and Ukraine's war with Russia. They are producers of oil, gas, fertilizer, and corn. And because of the war, of course, their prices are going up," he noted.

He said that even though the pandemic situation has currently improved, people must remain cautious. The government is also continuing to work to improve the public economy.

"We must still be harmonious, compact, work together, and must always be united; we must not be divided," he said.

He also met with hundreds of residents in Turen sub-district, Malang district, on Thursday and took pictures with some of them.

He also provided basic food aid packages for at least 200 local residents and handed over 10 dirt bikes to the Turen Military District Command 0818/14. (Antaranews)