Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s Department of Broadcasting issued an apology on Sunday after a commentator on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) mistakenly identified President Prabowo Subianto as his predecessor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the live broadcast of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits opening ceremony.

In an official statement, the department said the error was taken seriously and that corrective measures had been implemented.

“Based on an internal investigation, there was an error by the broadcast commentator, who mentioned Indonesia’s President as Joko Widodo, whereas the current President is Prabowo Subianto.

RTM hereby apologizes to the President and Indonesian government, as well as to all parties affected by this mistake,” the statement said.

The mix-up occurred as regional leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the first ASEAN Summit under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

The department added that RTM would enhance editorial oversight and fact-checking procedures to ensure greater accuracy and integrity in its broadcasts.

President Prabowo, who succeeded two-term President Jokowi, marked his first anniversary in office earlier this month. He attended the opening ceremony alongside other ASEAN heads of government, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Also in attendance were UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Council President António Costa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and World Bank Vice-President for East Asia and the Pacific Carlos Felipe Jaramillo.

The 47th ASEAN Summit runs from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur.

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