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Prabowo Defends Frequent Overseas Trips, Citing Indonesias Free-and-Active Foreign Policy
On Tuesday, President Prabowo Subianto stood before the 18th National Congress of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Bandar Lampung, a stage that has become the latest backdrop for his defense of a travel schedule that critics have called excessive.
"There was a president like Mr. Jokowi who rarely traveled abroad and was criticized. People said Jokowi never went overseas and did not care about foreign policy. Now I travel abroad frequently and people criticize me for that too. Actually, there is no problem," Prabowo said, echoing a comparison that frames his itineraries as a continuation, not a deviation, of a national tradition.
The president used the event to reaffirm Indonesia’s long‑standing principle of a free and active foreign policy—a concept rooted in the country’s founding ideals. "Indonesia is fortunate to inherit the principle of a free and active foreign policy from the nation's founders, especially at a time when global conflicts and strained international relations are affecting many regions," he added. He explained that the policy manifests in Indonesia’s commitment to remain non‑aligned while cultivating friendly ties with all nations.
Prabowo highlighted the breadth of Indonesia’s diplomatic outreach, noting that the country maintains amicable relations with both President Vladimir Putin of Russia and former U.S. President Donald Trump. "A thousand friends are too few. One enemy is too many. This is the path I choose," he said, stressing that declining invitations from partner countries would contravene Indonesia’s foreign‑policy principles.
The president also outlined his vision of a good‑neighbor policy, a doctrine he believes safeguards the interests of Indonesians by fostering positive relations with neighboring states and the wider world. "To defend the interests of our people, we must maintain good relations with all governments. That is why I say Indonesia's policy is a good‑neighbor policy," he said.
Prabowo’s remarks arrive amid a series of high‑profile trips that have attracted media scrutiny. His recent visit to France reportedly secured $3.5 billion in commercial deals, while meetings with Russian officials are framed as part of Indonesia’s strategy to diversify energy supplies. Analysts note that these visits are key to the country’s energy security and broader foreign‑policy objectives.
The president’s comments also touch on Indonesia’s historical foreign‑policy stance. Since independence, the nation has pursued a “free and active” approach, avoiding alignment with major power blocs while engaging in regional cooperation through ASEAN. This doctrine has guided Indonesia’s response to global tensions, including its role in the 2008–2013 Cambodian–Thai border crisis and its support for Myanmar’s political reforms.
Prabowo’s background as a former defense minister and his military experience have shaped his approach to foreign affairs. He was sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president on 20 October 2024, following a victory in the 2024 presidential election. His administration has emphasized maintaining Indonesia’s strategic autonomy while engaging with a broad range of partners.
The president’s remarks at the HIPMI congress were made in the context of a broader discussion about the role of Indonesian entrepreneurs in the global economy. The event, organized by the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association, attracted business leaders from across the country.
In summary, Prabowo defended his frequent overseas travel as consistent with Indonesia’s free‑and‑active foreign‑policy tradition. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with all governments, citing ties with Russia and the United States as examples. The president’s comments underscore Indonesia’s ongoing effort to balance engagement with global powers while preserving its non‑aligned stance.
The administration has not yet announced any policy changes, but observers expect further diplomatic visits in the coming months as Indonesia seeks to strengthen trade and energy partnerships amid a volatile international environment.
"There was a president like Mr. Jokowi who rarely traveled abroad and was criticized. People said Jokowi never went overseas and did not care about foreign policy. Now I travel abroad frequently and people criticize me for that too. Actually, there is no problem," Prabowo said, echoing a comparison that frames his itineraries as a continuation, not a deviation, of a national tradition.
The president used the event to reaffirm Indonesia’s long‑standing principle of a free and active foreign policy—a concept rooted in the country’s founding ideals. "Indonesia is fortunate to inherit the principle of a free and active foreign policy from the nation's founders, especially at a time when global conflicts and strained international relations are affecting many regions," he added. He explained that the policy manifests in Indonesia’s commitment to remain non‑aligned while cultivating friendly ties with all nations.
Prabowo highlighted the breadth of Indonesia’s diplomatic outreach, noting that the country maintains amicable relations with both President Vladimir Putin of Russia and former U.S. President Donald Trump. "A thousand friends are too few. One enemy is too many. This is the path I choose," he said, stressing that declining invitations from partner countries would contravene Indonesia’s foreign‑policy principles.
The president also outlined his vision of a good‑neighbor policy, a doctrine he believes safeguards the interests of Indonesians by fostering positive relations with neighboring states and the wider world. "To defend the interests of our people, we must maintain good relations with all governments. That is why I say Indonesia's policy is a good‑neighbor policy," he said.
Prabowo’s remarks arrive amid a series of high‑profile trips that have attracted media scrutiny. His recent visit to France reportedly secured $3.5 billion in commercial deals, while meetings with Russian officials are framed as part of Indonesia’s strategy to diversify energy supplies. Analysts note that these visits are key to the country’s energy security and broader foreign‑policy objectives.
The president’s comments also touch on Indonesia’s historical foreign‑policy stance. Since independence, the nation has pursued a “free and active” approach, avoiding alignment with major power blocs while engaging in regional cooperation through ASEAN. This doctrine has guided Indonesia’s response to global tensions, including its role in the 2008–2013 Cambodian–Thai border crisis and its support for Myanmar’s political reforms.
Prabowo’s background as a former defense minister and his military experience have shaped his approach to foreign affairs. He was sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president on 20 October 2024, following a victory in the 2024 presidential election. His administration has emphasized maintaining Indonesia’s strategic autonomy while engaging with a broad range of partners.
The president’s remarks at the HIPMI congress were made in the context of a broader discussion about the role of Indonesian entrepreneurs in the global economy. The event, organized by the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association, attracted business leaders from across the country.
In summary, Prabowo defended his frequent overseas travel as consistent with Indonesia’s free‑and‑active foreign‑policy tradition. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with all governments, citing ties with Russia and the United States as examples. The president’s comments underscore Indonesia’s ongoing effort to balance engagement with global powers while preserving its non‑aligned stance.
The administration has not yet announced any policy changes, but observers expect further diplomatic visits in the coming months as Indonesia seeks to strengthen trade and energy partnerships amid a volatile international environment.
