Arya News - According to Indoneisa`s Government Communications Agency (Bakom), flying to Vladivostok at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly part of President Prabowo Subianto’s effort to address domestic issues.
JAKARTA – The government has defended President Prabowo Subianto’s trip to Vladivostok, Russia, in early September that took place amid a series of disasters unfolding at home, calling it an important step in advancing national interests.
In a video statement on Monday, Government Communications Agency (Bakom) head Muhammad Qodari asserted that the government’s handling of challenges at home and its pursuit of diplomatic agendas abroad are not mutually exclusive.
“Before going abroad, President Prabowo always ensures that every domestic issue has been properly addressed,” Qodari said, adding that the two-day agenda in Russia was intended to benefit Indonesia.
The trip, which lasted from Sept. 2 to 4, was made at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invited Prabowo to attend the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) as a chief guest. The President and several ministers also held bilateral talks with their Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.
The Vladivostok trip was Prabowo’s fourth visit to Russia since he took office as the country’s president in October 2024.
The President is in hot water for embarking on the trip as some regions are grappling with various recent disasters, most notably the widespread forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra and the ongoing disaster recovery from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that jolted Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Aug. 15.
Qodari further explained international presidential travel is a part of the government’s work to address those challenges: “Every trip abroad is an effort to seek solutions, open up economic opportunities and bring tangible benefits back to Indonesia.”
During talks with Putin, Prabowo discussed opportunities to strengthen strategic partnerships in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, defense and investment. One of the investment plans discussed involved state owned fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Indonesia, with both countries signing an agreement to assess the potential to develop an urea fertilizer plant in Vladivostok.
Before flying to Vladivostok, Prabowo visited West Kalimantan on Aug. 22 to oversee wildfire management in the region. He had also visited communities affected by earthquakes in Nagekeo regency, NTT.
Students attend a lesson on Sept. 3 outside the school buildings of the SMPN 8 Komodo state junior high school in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The school banned learning activities from taking place in classrooms as the school’s buildings were damaged during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 15. (Antara/Gecio Viana)
Yet, the trip’s timing raised public questions over the government’s priorities. Law expert Feri Amsari asked whether it was appropriate for the President to travel abroad amid the crises at home.
Center for Economic and Law Studies (Celios) executive director Bhima Yudhistira described the decision to go as “lacking empathy” with Indonesia’s persistent struggle to manage forests and earthquakes, showing domestic affairs are not fully under control.
He argued the bilateral meetings could have been delegated to relevant ministries or technical teams, as agreements reached during the talk were not new and have yet to be realized.
“If the trip only results in more memorandums of understanding that will go unrealized, it amounts to nothing more than a ceremony,” Bhima said on Tuesday, warning that inadequate handling of multiple crises across the country could instead risk driving investors away.
On the other hand, international relations expert Teuku Rezasyah of West Java-based private President University argued that Prabowo’s presence at the EEF, which was attended by delegates from dozens of countries, was to reassure the international community of Indonesia’s confidence in managing domestic affairs and its readiness to receive investment.
“A president’s presence is very important to answer all the questions coming from the world,” Teuku said on Tuesday.
Noting Prabowo and Putin’s close relationship, he added that the President had appeared to prefer handling diplomatic affairs himself: “He feels that matters concerning foreign policy and defense are something he has to handle himself.”
Prabowo’s frequent foreign trips have been a subject of debate throughout his nearly-two-year administration, with critics questioning the transparency, urgency and benefits of such trips.