PDI-P Asks Government to Explain Purpose of Prabowo's Three Visits to France
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has called on the government to openly explain the purpose and targets of President Prabowo Subianto’s three visits to France within the past five months.
Andreas Hugo Pareira, a senior PDI-P official, stated that each presidential foreign trip must have a clear agenda communicated to the public.
“Foreign visits naturally have objectives,” Andreas said after a PDI-P Regional DPRD Technical Guidance session on Saturday, 30 May 2026. “In diplomacy, when the president visits a country, there must be a strict agenda, clear targets, and these must be communicated to the public.”
He added that the government should explain to the public the urgency and achievements sought from each presidential foreign trip.
“Former President Gus Dur was also criticised for frequent foreign trips. Now, people are directing similar concerns towards President Prabowo. It is the State Secretariat or spokesperson’s role to clarify the agendas and objectives of these trips,” Andreas said.
Andreas stressed that transparency is necessary as the president represents the nation during foreign visits.
“Questions arise when explanations come only after the trip. The media and public should be informed beforehand as the president travels on behalf of the country,” he added.
Andreas also highlighted the importance of the government’s communication team in explaining presidential policies and agendas to the public.
“Simply put, the government’s programs and actions should be communicated to the public. For instance, when the president travels, this should be made known,” he explained.
He added that explanations for presidential visits should not be limited to ceremonial purposes alone.
“No, saying the president went to France for Eid al-Adha prayers is not a sufficient justification,” he concluded.
Previously, President Prabowo visited France on 23 January and 14 April 2026 to strengthen bilateral ties. The latest trip yielded concrete commitments in defence, economic, educational, and global geopolitical matters.