Presidential aide defends Prabowo's frequent foreign trips

Presidential Secretary Lt. Col. Teddy Indra Wijaya has addressed criticisms from former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal concerning President Prabowo Subianto's frequent international visits. Djalal had specifically questioned a recent trip to France, which followed earlier visits in January and April.

Teddy acknowledged Djalal's input, calling it "very precise and structured," while clarifying certain points. He noted Djalal's background as a diplomat and former deputy foreign minister, albeit for a brief period. Teddy outlined four key areas of response regarding presidential foreign travel: costs, delegation size, scheduling, and the frequency of visits.

Addressing the financial aspect, Teddy asserted that any costs exceeding the state budget for foreign trips are personally borne by President Prabowo. He also highlighted a significant reduction in delegation sizes, stating that Prabowo's delegations typically range from 50 to 60 people, a substantial decrease from previous administrations where numbers could exceed 120.

Teddy defended the necessity of Prabowo's extensive travel, emphasizing the current global landscape characterized by dynamic changes and conflicts. He argued that building and maintaining relationships with world leaders is crucial, not just during crises but as a proactive measure to ensure support when needed. This requires personal and emotional connections between leaders, fostered through both public and private interactions. Teddy dismissed claims that Prabowo's trips are mere showmanship, citing concrete outcomes such as continued cooperation within BRICS, which has helped secure fuel and food supplies amidst global conflicts, and the achievement of a 0 percent tariff from the EU during Prabowo's presidency.