House of Representatives states President's overseas visits are based on necessity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that the frequency of President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas visits is determined by necessity and the current global political situation. “There are strategies involved that certainly cannot be limited by a fixed schedule of a specific number of visits. It is dynamic,” Dasco said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to him, the ongoing geopolitical dynamics significantly influence various domestic sectors. He noted that the government maintains specific strategies when designing foreign relations. Nevertheless, he did not deny the existence of criticism and suggestions directed at the government regarding the substance of handling geopolitical dynamics, stating that such advice should be taken into consideration.

However, regarding the frequency of overseas visits, he assessed that the President often conducts visits for short durations and only as required. “Imposing restrictions, especially those related to the number or duration of visits, I believe is not substantive,” he said. He added that if sudden trips occur, they are undertaken to respond to specific situations requiring the President’s immediate departure. “Therefore, I believe we should provide substantive input, and such input will certainly be given space to be heard.”

Previously, former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal raised criticisms regarding President Prabowo Subianto’s international travels. Key points of concern included the funding of overseas visits, the size of the official delegation, the transparency of the visit schedules, the frequency of visits to various countries, and suggestions to better utilise meetings with other heads of state during international forums.