Prabowo Brushes Off Foreign Trip Criticism, Cites Jokowi's Example

President Prabowo Subianto has responded to public criticism that he has been undertaking too many working visits abroad. According to Prabowo, criticism will always arise whether he makes frequent or infrequent trips. He cited the example of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who was also criticised by the public for rarely making foreign visits. Prabowo conveyed this while opening the 18th National Conference of Hipmi in Bandarlampung, Lampung, on Wednesday. ‘So, there was a president like Mr Jokowi who rarely went abroad, and he was blamed. “Jokowi never goes abroad, Jokowi does not care about foreign policy,” they said,’ stated Prabowo. ‘I often go abroad, and they say “Prabowo often goes abroad.” It’s strange; there is actually no problem. Right?’ he continued. Prabowo then explained that global geopolitical dynamics are rapidly changing, with no certainty over who is a friend and who is a foe. ‘The situation might change; the current geopolitical dynamics are very chaotic. We do not know who is a friend, who is a foe,’ he expressed. Nonetheless, Prabowo explained that Indonesia is fortunate to have inherited the foreign policy stance of the nation’s founders. He asserted that Indonesia’s foreign policy stance is non-aligned. This means, said Prabowo, that Indonesia is friends with all countries and all powers. He stressed that Indonesia does not want to be involved in any military pacts. ‘Therefore, as soon as I received the mandate as President, I immediately outlined our foreign policy to continue the non-aligned, active and independent politics. A thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many. This is the line I am taking,’ he stated. On this occasion, Prabowo also revealed the good relations he maintains with United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. ‘Now I am on good terms with President Putin. But I am also on good terms with President Trump. I get blamed here, I get blamed there. But there is no problem,’ said Prabowo. ‘There is always noise; what is important is that we are confident in our line. As long as I am confident I am working for the nation and the people of Indonesia, I will never hesitate,’ he concluded.