Prabowo affirms overseas working visits are for the people's interests

President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that overseas working visits are conducted to safeguard the interests of the Indonesian people, particularly in maintaining and opening up employment opportunities.

“I go on trips (overseas working visits) to protect my people. To protect what? Jobs,” said Prabowo recently, as posted on the Instagram account of the Ministry of State Secretariat (@kemensetneg.ri) on Thursday.

The President explained that while ministers carry out their duties, direct presence of the Head of State is required for certain strategic matters to lobby and reach important agreements with international partners.

“If I don’t lobby, of course the ministers will work, but in the end I have to come. There are important things that must be dealt with directly,” he stated.

Prabowo also stressed that in every inter-state relationship, a strong bargaining position must be built so that Indonesia can protect national interests amid the current global dynamics.

“In every relationship, there must be a bargaining position, it must be from a position of strength. That’s what we’re working on now,” said the President.

It is known that President Prabowo will soon undertake another overseas trip.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing President Prabowo’s visit to Japan on 29-31 March and to South Korea on 31 March-2 April.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the President is scheduled to make an official visit with an agenda to attend a State Luncheon with the Emperor of Japan.

In addition, Prabowo is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that President Prabowo’s visit will be a great opportunity for both countries to strengthen their comprehensive and strategic partnership.

Meanwhile, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, President Prabowo will make a state visit to South Korea to discuss bilateral relations with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Yonhap mentioned that the two leaders will discuss practical cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, defence industry and security, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, shipbuilding, nuclear energy, energy transition, and cultural sectors.

It was also mentioned that the two state leaders will discuss ways to enhance relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Korea, as well as security situations and other global issues.