President Prabowo Subianto has brushed aside mounting criticism of his administration, defending his push to improve economic equality and food security in his first direct response to growing protests against his costly flagship programs amid economic hardships.

President Prabowo Subianto has brushed aside mounting criticism of his administration, defending his push to improve economic equality and food security in his first direct…

The conciliatory remarks contrasted with President Prabowo Subianto's comments earlier this week, when he took aim at what he described as "intellectuals" of questioning the…