‘Nothing Official’: Jakarta Says Prabowo’s Caught-on-Mic Talk with Trump Was Casual
Jakarta. Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono on Tuesday downplayed the significance of a leaked conversation between President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump, saying the brief exchange captured on a “hot mic” during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was purely informal and unrelated to official matters.
Sugiono stressed that no diplomatic or policy implications are tied to the exchange.
A video circulated by Reuters on Monday showed Prabowo and Trump conversing quietly behind the podium on the sidelines of the summit. The audio caught Prabowo referring to an unnamed region he described as unsafe “security-wise” and asking to meet “Eric,” understood to be Eric Trump, an executive vice president of the Trump Organization, which manages the family’s hotels and golf properties. Eric holds no position in Trump’s current administration.
“Can I meet Eric?” Prabowo was heard asking, seemingly unaware that the microphone was still on.
“Should I do that? He’s such a good boy. I’ll have Eric call,” Trump responded.
Prabowo then mentioned that he would also speak with someone named “Hary” -- though it remains unclear who he was referring to -- and suggested they would “look for a better place” to continue the discussion. The clip also hinted that Prabowo appeared open to meeting Donald Trump Jr., another Trump Organization executive.
In Jakarta, Minister Sugiono stressed that the exchange should not be overinterpreted.
“It was a casual conversation. The President often chats informally with other heads of state,” Sugiono said. “I think President Prabowo and President Trump have a fairly close relationship, and they may discuss many things beyond official state matters.”
He added that the President frequently engages in informal talks during international events.
“He often speaks with other leaders while waiting in lounges or before summits begin,” he said.
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Prabowo Asks to Meet Trump’s Son EricSugiono added that any substantive or policy-related discussions between Prabowo and other leaders would be formally relayed to the relevant ministries for follow-up.
“If there are specific issues requiring follow-up, the President will certainly inform me,” he said. “But there are also casual conversations that are not related to official state business.”
Prabowo attended the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh to represent Indonesia’s position on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian access. Indonesia has long supported a two-state solution and has consistently urged international actors, including the United States, to help facilitate a durable peace between Israel and Palestine.
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