Prabowo Compares Overseas Trips to Jokowi: Seldom Wrong, Often Called Strange

President Prabowo Subianto has addressed public criticism regarding the frequency of his state visits abroad, which many have deemed excessive. In his remarks, Prabowo pointed out a paradox in public perception when compared to the administration of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo. Opening the XVIII National Conference of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Bandar Lampung on Wednesday, the President revealed that both he and Jokowi were often targeted by criticism related to the intensity of their international travel. “So a president like Mr Jokowi rarely went abroad and was blamed. Jokowi never went abroad, Jokowi ignored foreign policy. I travel abroad often, ‘Prabowo is always overseas’, strange, there isn’t actually a problem,” President Prabowo said. The President asserted that every trip undertaken is part of an effort to maintain good relations with friendly nations. Amidst global dynamics filled with conflict, Prabowo stressed the importance of upholding the legacy of a free and active foreign policy. According to him, Indonesia must remain non-aligned and befriend all major world powers in the national interest. He cited how Indonesia balances relationships with opposing world leaders. “A thousand friends are too few. A single enemy is too many. This is the line I follow. Now I am on good terms with President Putin, I am good. But I am also on good terms with President Trump. Here I get blamed, there I get blamed. But no problem,” he stressed. Furthermore, the Head of State explained that invitations from friendly countries are an honour that is difficult to decline if one wishes to preserve Indonesia’s diplomatic dignity. He referred to this strategy as ‘good neighbour politics’. The President stated he would not hesitate to take diplomatic steps as long as they are believed to bring benefits to the nation. “To defend the people’s interests, we indeed have to maintain good relations with all governments,” he concluded.