Prabowo’s overseas trips draw scrutiny as Indonesians told to work from home to save fuel

President Prabowo Subianto’s heavy overseas travel schedule is drawing scrutiny at home as Indonesians are asked to curb fuel use and officials have had to cut back on foreign trips.

The attention reflects a growing debate over the value and timing of the president’s diplomacy as higher global oil prices put fresh pressure on Indonesia’s fuel subsidy bill – even as Prabowo defended some of his recent travel as being aimed at securing energy supplies and economic opportunities for his country.

Since his inauguration on October 20, 2024, Prabowo has travelled to 28 countries for bilateral meetings or multilateral forums such as the Brics summit and the United Nations General Assembly. This week, he visited Russia and France.

Tuesday’s visit to Paris, where he discussed defence procurement and cooperation on the energy transition with French President Emmanuel Macron, marked his 51st state tour.

Malaysia was the country he visited most, with five trips, followed by four to the United Arab Emirates and three each to Egypt, France, Russia, Britain and the United States.