BANDAR LAMPUNG - President Prabowo Subianto has responded to criticism about his frequent visits abroad. He said the visit was made to safeguard Indonesia's interests and good relations with many countries.
Prabowo conveyed this when opening the XVIII HIPMI Congress in Bandar Lampung, Wednesday (10/6).
According to Prabowo, the current world geopolitical situation is uncertain. Therefore, Indonesia must continue to carry out active free foreign policy and maintain relations with all major powers.
"Now the dynamics of geopolitics are so chaotic. We don't know who is a friend, who is an opponent," said Prabowo.
He said Indonesia was lucky to have a non-bloc foreign policy legacy. With that line, Indonesia can be friends with all countries without having to join any military pact.
Prabowo then touched on criticism that arose against his habit of fulfilling invitations from world leaders.
"If there is a superpower country, let's say President Trump, inviting me to America, do I dare not come? If the President of the United States invites and the President of Indonesia is not present, just try," he said.
He said the same thing was true when he received invitations from Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other countries.
"The American president invited, the Russian president also invited. I came to Washington, I didn't come to Moscow, I couldn't," said Prabowo.
Prabowo said that Indonesia is now sought after by other countries because it is known not to want to be hostile. In recent days, he even received 18 ambassadors, most of whom brought invitations from their respective heads of state or heads of government.
According to Prabowo, the president's duty is to safeguard the interests of the Indonesian people through good relations with all countries.
"A thousand friends are too few, one opponent is too many. This is the line I am taking," he said.
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