SINGAPORE/JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's latest and fourth trip to France in late May has reignited public scrutiny over his travels, particularly over repeated visits to the same country within less than two years since taking office.For instance, Malaysia has been his most frequently visited destination with five trips, followed by France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with four each. The United States, Britain, Egypt and Russia have each hosted him three times.Debate has also resurfaced over one of the defining features of his presidency so far: an intensive overseas diplomacy campaign at a time when his administration is championing budget efficiency at home. The Presidential Secretariat quoted by local media reports said Prabowo and his delegation stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, a luxury hotel near the Eiffel Tower. Indonesian media outlet Tempo reported that the palace booked 27 rooms for three nights, including a presidential suite and a grand premier suite, at an estimated cost of EUR281,640 (US$327,000).For Bhima Yudhistira, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), the figures underscored a broader concern about the value of the president's overseas engagements."Prabowo's trip was unnecessary. It's far too extravagant. Just look at the hotel bill alone, 5.7 billion rupiah (US$316,000) for the delegation, while the results remain questionable," he said in an interview with CNA.
As Indonesia tightens spending, Prabowo's travel-heavy diplomacy comes under scrutiny
Critics question whether Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas trips are producing measurable economic and political returns at a time when the administration is championing spending cuts and budget efficiency at home.
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