Indonesian official defends president's frequent foreign trips amid criticism

A senior Indonesian official has mounted the government's most robust defense to date of President Prabowo Subianto's extensive overseas travel, pushing back against escalating criticism from politicians, diplomats, and international media. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya directly addressed concerns over the costs, scale, and priorities of the president's globe-trotting diplomacy in a detailed video released on June 1.

Wijaya's rebuttal marks the first time a high-ranking government figure has publicly responded to scrutiny surrounding Prabowo's foreign visits. This scrutiny has intensified as Indonesia grapples with a weakening rupiah and broader economic uncertainty. Since taking office in October 2024, Prabowo has undertaken at least 50 overseas engagements in 29 countries, prompting critics to question the allocation of presidential time and resources.

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Any excess costs from the state budget are entirely borne by President Prabowo himself.

Countering the critics, Wijaya asserted that Prabowo's trips have yielded concrete advantages for Indonesia. These include attracting investment inflows, securing trade agreements, strengthening defense ties, and garnering support for Palestine. He specifically addressed former deputy foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal's concerns, acknowledging his input while noting Djalal's relatively short tenure as deputy foreign minister.

Wijaya also tackled the issue of costs, stating that any excess expenses beyond the state budget are personally covered by President Prabowo. He refuted claims of oversized delegations, asserting that the number of accompanying officials has been more than halved compared to previous administrations, now typically ranging between 50 and 60 people. The official emphasized that the president's foreign travel is not mere "showmanship" but a strategic necessity for national interests.

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In the past, there could be more than 120 people going abroad at once. In Pak Dino’s time, it was like that. During President Prabowo’s time, the number was between 50 and 60 people at most.