Politics this week: Prabowo cancels Russia trip, Hotel Sultan executed
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Various political news has been reported by ANTARA News Agency. Here is a summary of the five most popular political stories this week, worth revisiting as a source of information for your weekend.
House of Representatives Commission IX has urged the government to ensure an Indonesian citizen who was abused by their employer in Malaysia can return home safely. “We hope the government can provide optimal protection to the victim. Not only providing protection, but also ensuring the person returns home safely,” said Commission IX Deputy Chairman Charles Honoris at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday.
National security researcher Ulta Levenia Nababan assessed that the overflight clearance requested by the United States would actually benefit Indonesia. Through this cooperation, Indonesia can more easily monitor the movement of US aircraft when transiting Indonesian territory. “With this access, it becomes more orderly, faster, and aircraft movements are better monitored by our defence system,” Levenia said in a podcast broadcast on the Ministry of Defence’s official account, Tuesday.
The State Palace explained the reason President Prabowo Subianto cancelled his visit to Russia this week. Minister of State Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said one consideration was that President Prabowo had recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 13 April 2026, and also met several ASEAN leaders during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on 7–8 May 2026.
Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro assured that the government will pay attention to the fate of former Hotel Sultan employees following the state’s takeover of the asset. “The point is we do not want them to become the sacrificed party after this asset takeover. We want to humanise them; we will collect data, invite communication, and bring them along to continue activities at GBK,” Juri said during a press conference after the execution of the former Hotel Sultan in the GBK block 15 area, Jakarta, Thursday.
The Free Nutritious Meal programme will continue, with the Presidential Staff Office stating the government is evaluating and improving its governance. Head of the Presidential Staff, General (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, affirmed the government’s commitment to continuing the programme amid internal improvements at the National Nutrition Agency. Speaking at Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday, Dudung said the leadership change and ongoing legal steps are clear evidence that the government is being responsive and transparent.