Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Muhammad Qodari, has addressed recent criticisms regarding President Prabowo Subianto’s frequent visits to France between May 28 and 31. Qodari emphasized that the President’s diplomatic travels should be evaluated based on the concrete benefits and outcomes delivered to Indonesia, rather than solely on the frequency of the trips.
According to Qodari, assessing foreign visits requires a focus on the tangible impact they have on national interests. Speaking in Jakarta on Sunday, May 31, he stated, “We must return to the principle of utility; the benefits brought back to the country must be carefully considered and calculated.”
The defense comes after several figures, including former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal, questioned the necessity of the President’s travel. In a social media post, Djalal suggested that the President should be more selective when scheduling state visits, leading to concerns from some observers regarding potential state budget wastage.
Addressing these concerns, Qodari expressed confidence that the results secured from the diplomatic engagements with France are both substantial and significant for Indonesia’s development.
Since taking office, President Prabowo has visited France four times, each serving specific strategic purposes:
The first visit occurred on July 14, 2025, to attend the Bastille Day military parade in Paris. The second visit on January 23, 2026, focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. During the third visit on April 14, 2026, the two heads of state held private discussions to reinforce cooperation in energy, education, digital communication, and long-term investment.
Most recently, the fourth visit on May 28, 2026, resulted in four major commercial agreements valued at US$ 3.5 billion, or approximately Rp 61.25 trillion. Minister of Investment and Downstreaming and Head of BKPM, Rosan Roeslani, confirmed that these agreements were formalized during the launch of the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council, an event witnessed by both President Prabowo and President Emmanuel Macron.
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Summary
Muhammad Qodari, Head of the Government Communication Agency, has defended President Prabowo Subianto’s frequent visits to France, urging critics to focus on the tangible benefits rather than the travel frequency. This response follows concerns from observers regarding potential budget wastage, emphasizing that the diplomatic engagements must be evaluated based on their strategic utility and concrete outcomes for Indonesia.
The President’s visits have yielded significant results, most notably the securing of four commercial agreements worth US$ 3.5 billion during his latest trip in May 2026. These agreements, which cover sectors such as energy and investment, were formalized during the launch of the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council, demonstrating the President’s commitment to fostering international cooperation for national development.