Prabowo Surprised by Criticism Over Frequent Foreign Travel

President Prabowo Subianto finds the criticism surrounding his frequent international travel perplexing, asserting that such visits are a natural part of a head of state's duties. He pointed out a perceived contradiction in public discourse, where former President Joko Widodo faced criticism for infrequent foreign trips, while Prabowo himself is questioned for undertaking them often.

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There are presidents like Mr. Jokowi, who rarely went abroad and was criticized, right? 'Jokowi never went abroad. Jokowi doesn't care about foreign policy.' Conversely, I travel abroad often, and they say, ‘Prabowo travels abroad often.’ It's strange.

"There are presidents like Mr. Jokowi, who rarely went abroad and was criticized, right? 'Jokowi never went abroad. Jokowi doesn't care about foreign policy.' Conversely, I travel abroad often, and they say, ‘Prabowo travels abroad often.’ It's strange," Prabowo remarked during a speech at the National Conference of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi) in Bandar Lampung on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Despite the "noise," as he termed the criticism, Prabowo affirmed his commitment to serving Indonesia. "As long as I am confident that I am working for the nation and the people of Indonesia, I will never hesitate," he stated. He emphasized the necessity of his travels in the current global climate, describing the world's geopolitical situation as chaotic and unpredictable.

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Noise (kebisingan) always exists. The important thing is that we are sure of our direction. As long as I am confident that I am working for the nation and the people of Indonesia, I will never hesitate.

Prabowo highlighted the importance of building strong relationships with various countries, stating, "We don't know who is a friend and who is an enemy." He expressed gratitude for Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy principle, inherited from the nation's founders, which allows for independent and active engagement in international affairs. The President's travel frequency had previously drawn attention, with suggestions from figures like Dino Patti Djalal, founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, advising him to reduce his trips abroad.

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We don't know who is a friend and who is an enemy.