Jakarta. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on Tuesday defended President Prabowo Subianto’s frequent overseas trips, rejecting criticism that the visits were inefficient and largely ceremonial.

Teddy said Prabowo’s foreign engagements over the past 18 months had delivered tangible benefits for Indonesia, ranging from economic gains and investment commitments to defense cooperation and diplomatic achievements.

“It is completely wrong to say these trips are merely for show or ceremonial purposes. We must look at what has been achieved over the past one and a half years,” Teddy said, according to Antara.

Among the outcomes cited by Teddy was Indonesia’s accession to BRICS, which he said had helped support energy security and maintain subsidized fuel prices amid global market volatility. He also highlighted preferential export access to 25 European countries, increased foreign investment, and new investment commitments worth Rp 575 trillion secured during Prabowo’s visits to Japan and South Korea last month.

Teddy said the administration’s diplomatic efforts had also strengthened Indonesia’s defense capabilities through partnerships with countries including France, United States, Russia, China, and United Kingdom.

He added that closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia had supported Indonesia’s annual haj operations, including discussions on establishing a dedicated Indonesian pilgrims’ village in the kingdom. Teddy also pointed to Indonesia’s humanitarian assistance for Palestinians through airlifted aid, a hospital ship mission, and scholarship programs for Palestinian students.

Addressing concerns over travel costs, Teddy said any excess expenses incurred during overseas trips were personally covered by Prabowo. He added that the size of presidential delegations had been reduced to around 50 to 60 people, significantly smaller than in previous administrations.

Last week, Foreign Minister Sugiono justified Prabowo’s latest visit to France — his third trip to the country this year — saying it was made at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Sugiono said Macron had initially invited Prabowo to visit in April, but scheduling conflicts forced the trip to be postponed. The French leader later extended a second invitation, which Prabowo fulfilled this week.

The visit also serves as a reciprocal gesture following Macron’s trip to Indonesia in May 2025. During talks in Paris, Prabowo and Macron are expected to advance plans to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with discussions focusing on defense, energy, technology investment, and scientific cooperation.

The trip comes as Indonesia deepens defense cooperation with France, including agreements to acquire Dassault Rafale fighter jets and Airbus A400M Atlas military transport planes as part of its broader military modernization program.

Since taking office in October 2024, Prabowo and Macron have met three times, reflecting increasingly close ties between the two countries as Indonesia seeks advanced technologies and investment to support its industrialization and critical minerals development strategy.