Prabowo Advised to Prioritize ASEAN Over Middle East Diplomacy
Former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal has urged President Prabowo Subianto to prioritize Southeast Asia and strengthen Indonesia’s role within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In an Instagram post published on April 10 titled “3 Reality Check for President Prabowo’s Diplomacy,” Djalal argued that Indonesia must grow more actively involved in managing its regional interests. He noted a growing perception that the president is focusing more on the global stage than on the immediate neighborhood of Southeast Asia.
Djalal identified a departure from Indonesia’s diplomatic traditions in the president’s early overseas itinerary. Following his assumption of office, Prabowo’s initial visits were not to ASEAN member states, but to China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Peru, Brazil, the Emirates, and Egypt.
According to data provided by Djalal, only four of Prabowo’s 49 foreign visits over the past 18 months were to Southeast Asian nations: Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Singapore. Djalal also highlighted that a planned visit to Timor-Leste, a country of significant political and historical importance to Indonesia, has not yet occurred.
Regional Diplomatic Gaps
The former ambassador criticized the Indonesian government’s limited response to critical regional issues, specifically citing the ongoing situation in Myanmar and tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Djalal further noted that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), a framework initiated by Indonesia, has seen reduced prominence in Prabowo’s diplomatic approach.
Djalal stated that the perception of Indonesian indifference toward ASEAN could damage the country’s global reputation and credibility, particularly given Indonesia’s existing limitations in the international arena.
Middle East Engagement and Energy Security
These criticisms emerge as Indonesia and Malaysia intensify diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. On March 27, President Prabowo met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to coordinate responses to tensions in the region and the potential spillover of conflict involving Iran.
The two leaders agreed to increase diplomatic efforts to ease Middle East tensions and emphasized the necessity of maintaining global supply chain continuity. Analysts indicate that these engagements with Gulf leaders are intended to safeguard energy supplies and regional stability, as well as to protect political standing.
Whereas Prabowo has visited the Emirates and Egypt, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also engaged with leaders from Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. These efforts are viewed as attempts by Southeast Asian Muslim leaders to project themselves as moderate actors and mitigate the domestic impacts of Middle East conflicts.
The balance between these global energy security interests and the management of the Southeast Asian “backyard” remains a point of contention among diplomatic observers.