Emmanuel Macron In Indonesia: French President Who Makes Jakarta Roads Badly Congested

JAKARTA - Foreign politics is often an important strategy to build the country. Prabowo Subianto agrees. The Indonesian president tries to maintain the harmonization of Indonesia-France relations. He wants relations between the two countries to run harmoniously.

The narrative was seen when Prabowo welcomed the French President, Emmanuel Macron. A lively welcome. The road that was passed was sterile. However, instead of getting people's sympathy, Macron's arrival was considered a problem. Macron is considered the culprit of severe congestion in Jakarta.

Foreign politics cannot be underestimated. Foreign political studies are considered a strategy of the state to achieve national interests. Investment faucets can flow fast and the door of cooperation to various fields will be wide open.

Prabowo Subianto also understands the principles of foreign politics. The Indonesian president from 2024 began to strengthen Indonesia's relations with European countries. Take, for example, relations between Indonesia and France.

Prabowo welcomed the French President's plan, Macron visited Indonesia on 27-29 May 2025. The visit was planned to reinforce bilateral relations between the two countries. Prabowo hopes that Macron's presence can produce many strategic policies.

Between the questions of culture, food, and infrastructure. Macron's presence to Indonesia is also seen as a step forward. Moreover, Macron is the first head of state of the European Union to visit Indonesia officially during the era of President Prabowo.

The visit was like confirming that the relationship between Indonesia and France was familiar. The owner of power then prepared a lively welcome.

The reception was carried out from Macron landing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base on 27 May 2025. Macron was warmly welcomed by a number of Indonesian officials. He was also greeted by the nuances of honor and a distinctive Indonesian culture.

Macron and his entourage feel special. They enjoy all the attractions offered. He also expressed his gratitude and expressed his enthusiasm for meeting Prabowo Subianto again.

"I am very happy to meet my brother, President Prabowo. He is a good friend of mine and his relationship with your country is very strategic and friendly," Macron said as quoted on the Cabinet Secretariat website, May 28, 2025.

Macron's arrival was not always greeted with joy. All Jakartans feel different. They consider Macron to be the culprit of severe congestion in Jakarta on May 28, 2025. One day where Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are scheduled to meet President Prabowo at the State Palace.

Severe congestion began to be felt in the afternoon. Areas that were hit by traffic jams. Congestion is present on Jalan Gatot Subroto, MH Thamrin, HI Roundabout, to Senayan Roundabout. The congestion situation on the toll road is no less severe.

The total congestion occurred on inner-city toll roads and outside-circular toll roads. This condition made Macron's Twitter account the target of anger from Jakarta residents. The anger was expressed when Macron uploaded the moment he took a selfie with Indonesian schoolchildren on May 28, 2025.

On average, the anger of Jakarta residents due to Macron's arrival is said to be the culprit of traffic jams. Those who pass on the streets can get stuck in traffic for hours. Especially those on the toll road. The road that Macron and the group traveled was sterile from other vehicles.

The anger of Jakarta residents made Polda Metro Jaya speak up. They denied that the traffic jam that occurred on May 28, 2025 afternoon until the evening due to Macron's visit. Congestion occurs is considered due to an increase in vehicle volume at the same time.

Polda Metro considers that the escort efforts carried out are like escorting other state guests. Opening and closing the road is certain to be carried out. However, it does not interfere with the activities of Jakarta residents.

The information from the Polda Metro Jaya is doubted by many parties. This condition was due to the arrival of other heads of state, which did not make the streets of Jakarta badly jammed.

"I make sure it's not the impact of yesterday's arrival by the President of France. The congestion occurred [starting] in the afternoon at around 16 or 17 p.m. and occurred on Jalan Sudirman, then affected to Thamrin, then on Jalan Gatot Subroto which also reached S. Parman. .

"Meanwhile, at the same time, the President of France was at UNJ, East Jakarta. Then the President was in Merdeka Barat. In fact, it should also be noted that yesterday the President's trip was also affected. The First Lady also returned from the museum to accommodation at the Fairmont Hotel and was also hampered," said Traffic Director of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Komarudin as quoted on the Indonesian CNN page, May 29, 2025.