Profile of Dino Patti Djalal: Senior Diplomat Criticising President Prabowo's Overseas Visits
Dino Patti Djalast has once again come into the public spotlight after launching sharp criticism regarding the frequency of President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas visits. The senior diplomat and founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) suggested that the President should be more selective in conducting diplomatic travels to ensure the efficiency of the state budget.
In a video post on 30 May 2026, Dino highlighted that, according to his calculations, since taking office, President Prabowo has spent ‘one out of every six days’ abroad. Dino assessed that this frequency is too high and incurs significant costs, ranging from aircraft logistics and security to the daily allowances of delegations. He provided five strategic suggestions, including the optimisation of communication technology (such as video calls) and the delegation of tactical diplomatic missions to Foreign Minister Sugiono.
This criticism prompted a swift response from the Palace. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained on 2-3 June 2026 that such visits are crucial amidst the global crisis to build direct relationships between leaders. Teddy also asserted that any excess travel costs are borne personally by the President and that the size of the delegation has been significantly reduced.
Dino Patti Djalal is no stranger to the world of Indonesian diplomacy. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on 10 September 1965, he grew up in a diplomatic environment as the son of the legendary maritime law expert, Hasjim Djalal. Dino began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987 and has served in various strategic posts, including London, Dili, and Washington.
His name gained widespread recognition during his tenure as Presidential Spokesperson for foreign affairs during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono era (2004–2010). His career reached its peak when he was appointed as the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States (2010–2013) and subsequently served as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2014.
In addition to his government career, Dino is known as a productive academic and author. He earned a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. One of his most popular books, ‘Harus Bisa’, summarises leadership lessons from the SBY administration. In 2015, Dino founded the FPCI, a non-partisan organisation that has become the largest platform for foreign policy discussion in Indonesia. Through the FPCI, he actively encourages public and youth participation in international issues, establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in Indonesian foreign policy.