Palace and Parliament Refute Dino Patti Djalal's Criticism Regarding Prabowo's Foreign Visits

The government’s reaction to criticisms raised by former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal concerning President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas visits has come under scrutiny. The administration’s stance is being viewed as unaccommodating to criticism, instead opting to challenge Dino’s legitimacy.

Dino Patti Djalal, founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), previously highlighted the frequency of President Prabowo’s international travels, noting that during his presidency, Prabowo has spent one out of every six days abroad. Dino argued that this diplomatic style is inefficient, stating that head-of-state visits incur massive costs. He recommended five suggestions, including maintaining digital communication with world leaders, utilising international forums to save time and costs, and delegating more tactical diplomatic missions to Foreign Minister Sugiono.

In his critique, Dino also claimed that Prabowo often fails to respond to requests from other heads of state during international forums, citing an instance involving Finnish President Alexander Stubb in New York.

In response, Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya released a video defending the President. Teddy addressed Dino’s track record, noting his brief tenure as Deputy Foreign Minister. He argued that the overseas visits are essential for building emotional rapport with global leaders, stating, ‘We cannot only rely on others when a crisis occurs; we must harvest good relationships.’ Teddy also highlighted diplomatic achievements, such as Indonesia’s involvement in BRICS, trade agreements with the European Union, and significant investment inflows.

Similarly, Habiburokhman, Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party and Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), criticised Dino’s communication style. He suggested that Dino’s approach was inappropriate as it encouraged the public to compare different administration periods, adding that Dino should prioritise ethics and respect when expressing opinions.

However, Andreas Hugo Pareira, a representative from the PDI-P party, criticised the government’s manner of responding. He argued that while the government has the right to respond, technical matters regarding foreign visits should be addressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure transparency regarding Indonesia’s diplomatic performance. Pareira noted that Dino’s input should be viewed as constructive ‘vitamins’ intended to improve governance.