Prabowo Responds to Criticisms on Cabinet, Foreign Trips, and Budget

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia has responded to various criticisms leveled against his administration, particularly concerning the size of his cabinet, frequent foreign trips, and substantial budget allocations for priority programs. The President stated that while criticism is a healthy part of democracy, it should be evaluated based on facts and the realities faced by the public. "I welcome criticism. I always accustom myself to carefully examining every criticism directed at the government I lead and weighing it based on facts and the realities faced by ordinary people," Prabowo said in a statement to The Economist magazine, quoted from a press release from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency on Friday, June 12, 2026. For Prabowo, criticism is part of democracy. He asserted that Indonesia will remain a democratic country and that the government he leads must not deviate from the will of the people. However, he believes that democracy must also produce stability, which he deems essential for Indonesia's efforts to accelerate economic growth and undergo transformation across various sectors. "We believe democracy must produce stability and progress, not paralysis," he stated. His view on the importance of stability emerged when Prabowo explained the composition of the 'Merah Putih Cabinet,' which had been criticized for being too large. Prabowo compared Indonesia's cabinet size to that of Timor Leste. According to him, Timor Leste, with a population of about 1.1 million, has 28 cabinet members. Meanwhile, Indonesia, with nearly 300 million people and a vast territory, requires cooperation with many political forces. "We are very large. And because of democracy, I have to form coalitions," Prabowo said while attending the closing of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang Regency, East Java, on Monday (August 31, 2026). He believes coalitions are needed to maintain government stability, enabling more effective program implementation and long-term decision-making. He also pointed to other countries, despite having different political systems, facing issues of rapid government change, emphasizing that "in any case, a government needs stability, tranquility." Criticized for Frequent Foreign Trips Another issue that has drawn scrutiny is Prabowo's extensive travel abroad. Prabowo expressed his bewilderment that a president's foreign visits could become a point of criticism. He drew a parallel to criticisms directed at the 7th Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who was once criticized for allegedly infrequent foreign visits and perceived neglect of foreign policy. Conversely, when Prabowo travels frequently, criticism arises for different reasons. "I travel abroad a lot, 'Prabowo travels abroad a lot.' It's strange, there's no problem with that, right?" Prabowo said at the opening of the XVIII HIPMI National Conference in Lampung on Wednesday (June 10, 2026). For Prabowo, foreign visits are part of Indonesia's efforts to navigate an increasingly uncertain geopolitical situation. He affirmed that Indonesia adheres to an active and independent foreign policy, avoiding entanglement with any specific military pacts. "Indonesia's foreign policy is non-aligned, non-bloc. We are friendly with all countries, friendly with all powers, we do not want to be involved with any military pacts," he stated. Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia must maintain relationships with various countries while simultaneously championing its national interests. "1,000 friends are too few, one enemy is too many. This is the path I am taking," he added. Budget Criticisms Addressed Other criticisms have targeted the large budgets allocated to several priority programs, including 'Free Nutritious Meals' (MBG), 'Merah Putih Village Cooperatives,' and public housing development. Prabowo believes that the use of these budgets should not solely be viewed by the amount spent but rather by where the money flows and the benefits it generates for the public. "What's wrong if the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the government he leads want to disburse money to his own people?" Prabowo asked during the groundbreaking ceremony for 13 National Downstreaming Projects Phase II in Cilacap, Central Java, on Wednesday (April 29, 2026). He explained that the government is implementing savings and budget reallocation to fund these programs. Prabowo also claimed this approach helps prevent budget leakage due to corruption. According to him, state funds should circulate back into society. Therefore, the government aims to ensure that its programs not only represent government spending but also stimulate economic activity. One approach being promoted is ensuring that the produce of farmers and fishermen has a domestic market. "Now we are changing it. Almost all farmers and fishermen have a guaranteed market, off-take," he said. Prabowo hopes these policies will alter the pattern of national economic circulation. Wealth that has historically flowed more abroad is expected to be redirected domestically. "So what I mentioned earlier is about returning the flow of wealth that went abroad, we are reversing it," he stated. Focus on Results Ultimately, these various criticisms lead Prabowo to emphasize what he considers most important: results. He acknowledges that his administration will not be perfect but believes Indonesia cannot maintain old patterns if it aims for higher economic growth. Prabowo noted that Indonesia's economic growth has hovered around 5% for years, which he deems insufficient for becoming a developed nation. Therefore, the government is pushing for transformative programs, ranging from MBG and People's Schools to industrial downstreaming and the establishment of 'Danantara' (a potential financial institution or program). "Indonesia's journey is not perfect and will not be perfect," said Prabowo. He reiterated that criticism will remain a part of his administration's journey. However, he wants government policies to ultimately be judged by their measurable impact on the public. "As a government, we will answer criticism not with rhetoric, but with tangible results that can be measured by anyone, anywhere," he asserted. Read the latest and most trusted news at Berita Liputan6