Politics of the Week: Prabowo Meets Putin to Jusuf Kalla Apologises
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A variety of political news has been reported by the Antara News Agency. Here we summarise five of the most popular political stories of the week, worth revisiting as sources of information to fill your weekend.
Prabowo Consults Putin Amid Geopolitical Uncertainties
President Prabowo Subianto met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to consult on the global geopolitical situation, deemed full of uncertainties, during a meeting at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, on Monday local time.
“Then, Your Excellency, I have also come to consult because the world’s geopolitical situation is experiencing very rapid developments and changes,” the President said, as quoted from the live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Monday.
In that meeting, Prabowo conveyed that the developments and changes in the world’s geopolitics are occurring very quickly, thus requiring perspectives and input from other parties, including Russia.
Survey by Cyrus: Public Supports MBG Programme but Demands Improvements
A national survey by Cyrus Network shows that the majority of the public still supports the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, but urges improvements in its implementation and governance for the programme’s sustainability.
Cyrus Network’s Lead Researcher Syahril Ilhami stated that public support for the MBG programme reaches 65.4 per cent, although nearly half of the respondents want improvements in its execution.
“As many as 65.4 per cent of the public support Free Nutritious Meals, meaning two out of three Indonesians still hold hope for this programme. However, 45.6 per cent of the public want improvements in implementation. This number is quite large, nearly 70 per cent of MBG supporters want improvements,” he said during an online presentation in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Prabowo Receives Report from Bahlil on Energy Cooperation Negotiations with Russia
President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday received a report from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia regarding the results of negotiations on Indonesia-Russia cooperation in the energy sector, including the purchase of crude oil from Russia.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, during a press conference with Bahlil at the Merdeka Palace courtyard on Thursday afternoon, explained that President Prabowo specifically tasked the ESDM Minister to follow up on the results of President Prabowo’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, namely by meeting the special envoy of President Putin in the energy sector and the Russian energy minister.
“He (the ESDM Minister) held a meeting with the special envoy of President Putin and the (Russian energy) minister, and the results were just reported to the President,” said Cabinet Secretary Teddy.
Prabowo Issues Three Regulations to Strengthen National Food Security
President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has issued three new regulations to accelerate the enhancement of national food security as the main foundation for realising national self-reliance through food self-sufficiency.
“In order to strengthen national food security, support for the provision of post-harvest infrastructure in Indonesian regions is needed,” reads an excerpt from Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 14 of 2026 on the Acceleration of the Implementation of Post-Harvest Infrastructure Provision for National Food Security, quoted from the State Secretariat Ministry’s website in Jakarta on Friday.
The regulation aims to encourage synergy between the central and regional governments to accelerate the provision of post-harvest facilities in various regions. Through Perpres 14/2026, the government targets a reduction in dependence on rented warehouses.
Jusuf Kalla: I Apologise for Only Now Explaining the Viral Issues
The 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, apologised for only now appearing before the public to explain several viral issues related to him.
“First, I apologise because only today can I explain the issues that are viral now, because I just returned from Japan at dawn today,” said the man familiarly known as JK during a press conference in the Kebayoran Baru area, South Jakarta, on Saturday.
Furthermore, JK explained that he wanted to clarify to the public regarding the clipped video of a sermon he delivered at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Mosque during this year’s Ramadan.