Frequent Overseas Trips: Prabowo Insists They Are Not Holidays but to Secure Oil
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto responded to criticism regarding his frequent trips abroad. He stated that these activities are for national interests, including securing energy supplies amid global turmoil.
“They say Prabowo is holidaying abroad, enjoys travelling abroad, right. Brothers and sisters, to secure oil, I have to go everywhere,” he said during a Working Meeting with the Red and White Cabinet, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube, Thursday (9/4/2026).
Prabowo explained that, for instance, his visit to Japan at the end of March aimed to secure oil supplies. According to him, Indonesia received commitments from the Japanese government to support the increase in energy production in Indonesia.
Furthermore, Prabowo continued, in the near future he will again visit another country for similar purposes. He mentioned that the advance team has already departed to that country.
“We went to Japan the other day, we got it. I’m about to depart again to a certain country. You’ll know where once I leave. Also to secure,” he said.
“So I’m confident. There’s no such thing as Indonesia going dark for me, no. Indonesia is bright at a time when many countries are struggling,” Prabowo stated.
The visit to Japan resulted in concrete steps to accelerate strategic investments, particularly in the energy sector and downstreaming. The main focus of the visit included accelerating the national energy transition and developing the Masela Block project.
In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday (31/03/2026), Prabowo expressed his warm welcome to investments from Japanese company Inpex Corporation in the Masela Block gas project.
He hopes that the project can be realised soon after experiencing a considerable delay.
The strategic cooperation for developing the Masela Block gas field will be undertaken by Inpex together with PT Pertamina (Persero).