Prabowo Subianto’s Early Departure from ASEAN Summit Draws Criticism from Indonesian think Tank
Table of Contents
Indonesia’s foreign policy direction is facing scrutiny following President Prabowo Subianto’s curtailed participation in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia,from October 26-28,2025. The Center for Strategic and International studies (CSIS) Indonesia has voiced concerns that the President missed crucial opportunities too engage in strategic discussions and bolster relationships with key regional partners.
The criticism centers on Prabowo’s early exit from the summit and his absence from several important meetings. According to a senior analyst at CSIS, the President’s decision to leave Kuala Lumpur prematurely represented a lost chance to advance Indonesia’s interests on the regional stage.
Missed Opportunities at the RCEP Summit
A key area of concern highlighted by CSIS is Prabowo’s absence from the Regional Complete Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit. This meeting focused on the future of free trade among 15 Asia-Pacific nations, a critical area for Indonesia’s economic growth. indonesia is currently advocating for Jakarta to be selected as the location for the RCEP secretariat, a proposal that required active engagement during the summit.
“He missed several very important meetings,” stated Lina Alexandra, Head of the International Relations Department at CSIS, during a discussion held on November 5, 2025, in Central Jakarta.
Concerns Over Engagement with east Asian and Chinese Counterparts
Beyond the RCEP Summit, Prabowo also missed dedicated summits with East Asian countries and a crucial ASEAN-China meeting. These engagements are vital for navigating complex geopolitical dynamics and fostering cooperation on issues ranging from trade to security.
Alexandra expressed regret that President Prabowo did not prioritize bringing forward key agenda items to the ASEAN Summit, specifically regarding transnational crisis management and strengthening ASEAN institutions. This lack of proactive engagement, she argued, could hinder Indonesia’s ability to shape the regional agenda.
Balancing diversification with Regional Commitment
CSIS acknowledges Prabowo’s broader foreign policy strategy of diversifying Indonesia’s international partnerships, evidenced by his numerous foreign visits and procurement of defense equipment from various nations. However, the think tank warns against allowing this diversification to come at the expense of Indonesia’s core relationships within ASEAN.
“Expanding Indonesia’s relations with different countries does not mean we should forget our existing relationships, namely traditional and essential ones,” alexandra emphasized.
government Justification for Early Departure
The Indonesian government defended Prabowo’s early departure, citing “several urgent matters that require his return.” This explanation was delivered by Foreign Minister Sugiono in a video interview on October 28, 2025, from kuala Lumpur. Though, the specific nature of these urgent matters remains undisclosed.
the situation raises questions about the bal
