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

President Prabowo Subianto has spoken out regarding public criticism concerning his frequent working visits abroad. According to Prabowo, criticism will inevitably arise whether he travels often or rarely.

He cited the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who was also criticised by the public for rarely making overseas visits. This was stated by Prabowo while opening the XVIII National Congress of HIPMI in Bandar Lampung, Lampung, on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

“So, there was a president like Mr Jokowi who rarely went abroad and was blamed, right? ‘Jokowi never goes abroad, Jokowi does not care about foreign policy’,” said Prabowo.

“Now, I go abroad frequently, and the response is, ‘Prabowo goes abroad too often.’ It is strange; actually, there is no issue. Is that not true?” he continued.

Prabowo then explained that global geopolitical dynamics are changing rapidly, making it difficult to discern allies from adversaries.

“The situation may change; currently, the geopolitical dynamics are so chaotic. We do not know who is a friend and who is an enemy,” he revealed.

Nevertheless, Prabowo explained that Indonesia is fortunate to have inherited a stance on foreign policy from the nation’s founders. He emphasised that Indonesia’s foreign policy remains non-aligned and non-bloc.

This means, according to Prabowo, that Indonesia is friendly with all nations and all powers. He asserted that Indonesia does not wish to involve itself 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, non-bloc, free and active policy. A thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many. This is the path I am taking,” he stated.

On that occasion, Prabowo also revealed the good relationships he maintains with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Currently, I am on good terms with President Putin, and I am also on good terms with President Trump. Here I am blamed, there I am blamed. But it is no problem,” said Prabowo.

“Brothers and sisters, noise will always exist; what is important is that we are certain of where our line lies. As long as I am certain that I am working for the nation and the people of Indonesia, I will never hesitate,” he concluded.