Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has raised concerns regarding the frequency of President Prabowo Subianto’s international travel. Amidst public scrutiny over the significant state budget allocated for these trips, Djalal has suggested that the President adopt more cost-effective methods, such as utilizing video conferencing, to maintain global diplomatic relations.
In a video posted to his Instagram account, @dinopattidjalal, Djalal emphasized that the sheer volume of overseas visits has become a point of contention. “By our calculations, among all world leaders, President Prabowo has traveled abroad the most frequently. Since taking office, he has spent one out of every six days on foreign soil,” he stated on Saturday, May 30th. Djalal added that such a travel schedule is increasingly perceived by many as unconventional and potentially excessive.
Djalal highlighted the substantial financial burden associated with these presidential trips, which encompass costs for advance teams, private aircraft, luxury accommodation, logistics, catering, protocol, security, and daily allowances for the delegation. According to him, a single overseas trip can cost the state tens, or even hundreds, of billions of rupiah.
To address these fiscal concerns, Djalal proposed five strategic recommendations for the administration. His first suggestion is to prioritize video calls or telephone diplomacy. He noted that many bilateral visits are primarily ceremonial, involving only one or two hours of substantive discussion, whereas the rest of the time is occupied by official dinners and formalities. “With a video call, which costs effectively zero rupiah, the state could save hundreds of billions that would otherwise be spent on travel,” Djalal argued. He pointed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has conducted 17 phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump without the need for an in-person bilateral meeting, despite the U.S. being Mexico’s largest trading partner.
Secondly, Djalal suggests that when the President does attend international forums, these trips should be maximized to meet with a larger number of counterparts. He proposed a “1 plus 8” formula, meaning every international trip should be leveraged to hold meetings with at least eight other world leaders.
Thirdly, he advocates for more professional planning and transparent communication regarding the President’s travel itinerary. He expressed concern that several trips have been carried out without adequate prior public disclosure. Furthermore, Djalal suggests that President Prabowo should prioritize hosting foreign dignitaries in Indonesia rather than traveling abroad, a diplomatic approach frequently utilized by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who often hosts state guests in Beijing.
Finally, Djalal recommended that the Foreign Minister, Sugiono, be empowered to take on more tactical diplomatic missions. By delegating these responsibilities to the Minister, the administration could significantly reduce the high expenditures associated with presidential travel while maintaining a robust international presence.
Summary
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has expressed concern over President Prabowo Subianto’s high frequency of international travel, noting that he spends a significant portion of his tenure abroad at a substantial cost to the state budget. Djalal argues that these frequent trips, which incur expenses ranging from billions to hundreds of billions of rupiah, are increasingly viewed as excessive and financially burdensome.
To optimize diplomatic relations while reducing costs, Djalal proposes prioritizing video conferencing and telephone diplomacy over physical travel. He further recommends that the President adopt a “1 plus 8” strategy for international forums, focus on hosting foreign dignitaries domestically, and delegate more tactical missions to Foreign Minister Sugiono to ensure a more efficient and transparent diplomatic approach.
