Prabowo's Foreign Trip Frequency Criticised: Gerindra Says Don’t Just Count Costs, But Benefits

Gerindra spokesperson Bahtra Banong has responded to public criticism regarding the frequency of President Prabowo Subianto’s foreign trips. As Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission II, he stated that the public should not merely focus on travel costs, but also consider the positive impacts these trips bring to the nation. “The key is not just to count the costs, but also the benefits,” Bahtra told tvOnenews.com on Monday, 1 June 2026. He acknowledged the public’s right to demand transparency on presidential trips, but emphasised that each visit often yields benefits for Indonesia. “The public has the right to demand transparency regarding the President’s foreign visits. However, the objective measure should not merely be the costs incurred, but the benefits gained by the nation,” he explained. “If such visits attract investments, open new markets, create jobs, and strengthen Indonesia’s global standing, they should be viewed as strategic investments for the nation,” Bahtra added. He urged the public to focus on the outcomes of each bilateral meeting. “Focus on results, not the frequency of travel. Therefore, what matters is not how often the President travels abroad, but the extent of benefits secured for the Indonesian people,” he said. He added that Prabowo’s foreign trips are part of the government’s efforts to bolster Indonesia’s position amid increasingly fierce global competition.