Prabowo Reveals Reasons for Frequent Overseas Trips
President Prabowo Subianto has explained the reasons for his frequent overseas trips while leading Indonesia. He stated that these visits are to maintain good relations with all countries for the benefit of the people, including job opportunities.
Prabowo initially explained Indonesia’s strategic position on the global stage. In addition to being the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia possesses abundant natural resources.
According to him, for hundreds of years, the Nusantara region has been an important trade route connecting various areas, from Asia to Africa. This condition has made Indonesia a frequent target for major powers.
“Indonesia had a lot of timber back then. So they all came to Indonesia to the island clusters at that time. They went to the eastern islands, taking our good timber. The superpowers at that time were Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, England. They all came here. So we’ve always been a target, even a coveted one, because of our wealth,” said Prabowo in a discussion with journalists and observers broadcast on the Prabowo Subianto YouTube channel on Sunday (22/3/2026).
In the current context, Prabowo believes Indonesia needs to maintain good relations with many countries. He mentioned Indonesia’s membership in various international forums such as ASEAN, G20, and OIC, which require the active presence of the country’s leader at various global meetings.
“Well, in the end, we must have good relations with many countries. We’re members of ASEAN, right? Asia has 10 countries, now 11. But we’re also what? Members of the G20, 20 countries. Then what else are we? Members of the OIC. Then we join many others. Well, if we’re invited and we don’t come, it’s not good, right?” he said.
Therefore, he spoke about the importance of maintaining good relations with all countries. Prabowo dismissed the notion that he likes to travel. He emphasised that the purpose of his visits is for the people’s interests.
“Well, that’s why every Indonesian president is tired, people think I like travelling there, and I also travel to protect my people, to protect what? Job opportunities,” he said.
Prabowo also stressed the importance of direct diplomacy at the leader level to accelerate strategic agreements. He gave the example of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement or CEPA with the European Union and Canada, which opens wider market access for Indonesian products. After 10 years, the agreement was finally completed during his era.
“If I don’t lobby, of course the ministers do the work. In the end, I have to come. Right? To the King of Belgium, to the King of the Netherlands, to the European Union. Finally, we have smoother CEPA trade. 10 years, you know. We broke through with Canada too, CEPA trade to open up. Now we have our goods at 0% to Canada, to the EU. What does that mean? Our shoes, our textiles, which were previously threatened, now we have a shift,” he said.
He added that in the current global situation, geopolitics has shifted to geo-economics. According to him, good relations between countries are very important to avoid pressures while strengthening Indonesia’s bargaining position.
“So if your relations are not good, you get all kinds of pressure,” he said.
“So, that’s why I want to strengthen our economy through transformation and so on. So that we can’t be bullied,” continued Prabowo.