JAKARTA (AFP) – Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto has embarked on a whirlwind diplomatic tour ahead of his inauguration this month, showcasing his plans for a bolder foreign policy than under his predecessor.
President Joko Widodo prioritised Southeast Asia’s biggest economy over foreign policy over the past decade, not once attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
But Prabowo – who speaks German, French, Dutch and English – has visited more than a dozen countries since his election win on February 14, pledging stronger relations with all.
“Our defence outlook will be based on… a web of strong friendships. This web will be our strongest pillar of foreign policy and also our defence policy,” he said in a campaign speech last year.
Prabowo’s destinations in the eight-month transition period have painted a picture of his bid to deepen alliances while sticking to Indonesia’s traditional non-aligned path, despite Western moves to get Jakarta’s support on global issues from Gaza to Ukraine.
He made China his first stop after the presidential vote before trying to boost trade and defence ties on visits to Turkyie and Russia, with whom a jet deal remains on the table despite Western sanctions.
Prabowo, who is defence minister in Widodo’s government, then signed a key security deal with Australia, and headed to France to discuss military cooperation.
Jokowi had some high-profile moments of global diplomacy, visiting Moscow and Kyiv on a short-lived peace mission in 2022 to mediate the Ukraine war and hosting the G20 summit in Bali where Xi Jinping and Joe Biden first met as counterparts.
But he mostly showed little interest in foreign policy, preferring instead to focus on domestic issues.
“Prabowo’s key foreign policy objective is to restore Indonesia’s role in the global arena,” said Yoes Kenawas, a research fellow from Atma Jaya University.
“This is significantly different than Jokowi… (who) didn’t really care about foreign policy.”
Prabowo’s flurry of visits also included Japan, Singapore, Serbia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he announced an upgrade in ties.
He held talks with Russia over a trade pact with the Eurasian bloc it leads, seen as a counter to the European Union which he said on the campaign trail Jakarta “doesn’t really need” anymore.
Friction has grown between Jakarta and Brussels over plans for a deforestation-related ban on products such as palm oil, of which Indonesia is a top exporter.
He also embarked on a Middle East tour to lobby Gulf powers for stronger economic ties.
“His trips show he is positioning himself as a leader ready to shape Indonesia’s role on the global stage,” said Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at advisory firm Global Counsel.
By being more visible, Prabowo feels Indonesia can “attract more foreign investments and cooperation”, Yoes said.
