Headline:
Prabowo‘s Conflicting Statements on Koruptor Amnesty OvershadowsNM embolism While Inaugurating National Christmas Celebrations in Indonesia
Subheadline:
Presidential Communication Lapses Spark Confusion, Experts Call for Better Coordination
Article:
Presidente Prabowo Subianto startled attendees at the national Christmas celebrations in Indonesia’s Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on December 28, 2024, as he delivered an impromptu speech without a prepared text, stating, "The organizing committee made a mistake in inviting me. They should have prepared a better speech." The audience laughed as the president made light of the situation.
However, Prabowo’s remarks earlier in the week about possibly pardoning corruptors who return their ill-gotten gains have sparked fresh controversy. The president made these comments during his visit to Egypt before returning to Jakarta, where he was scheduled to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Langkawi.
Conflicting Reports on Prabowo’s Health
Anwar Ibrahim took to his X account to announce that the meeting with Prabowo was canceled due to the Indonesian president’s illness. "Last night, he requested that the meeting be rescheduled for a few days due to a sudden bout of fever. I wish President Prabowo a speedy recovery and look forward to rescheduling our meeting soon," Anwar wrote on December 23, 2024.
Upon his return, Prabowo held a limited meeting at the Halim Perdanakusuma TNI AU Air Force Base in East Jakarta to discuss preparations for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and disaster prevention. Teddy Indra Wijaya, the cabinet secretary, denied reports of Prabowo’s illness, stating that the president had to return to Jakarta urgently due to pressing domestic matters. "There was an important matter in Jakarta that required his immediate attention," Teddy told reporters on Monday, December 23, 2024.
Botched Communication Leaves Experts Scratching Their Heads
The mixed signals from the presidential palace have left experts baffled and questioning the competence of Prabowo’s communication team.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a senior researcher in international relations at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), criticized the president’s over-reliance on spokesperson, stating, "There’s a saying, ‘too many cooks spoil the broth.’ Too many spokespersons can confuse the message." Dewi suggested that Prabowo should delegate specific tasks to his team, similar to the effective two-spokesperson system used by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Dewi downplayed the potential impact of the canceled meeting on Indonesia-Malaysia relations, citing the long-standing friendship between Prabowo and Anwar Ibrahim. She nonetheless expressed hope that the two leaders would clarify the situation directly to avoid further confusion.
Strategic Missteps in Foreign Relations
Dr. Lina Alexandra, the Head of the Department of International Relations at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), expressed her puzzlement at the sudden cancellation of Prabowo’s meeting with Anwar, considering it was an opportune moment to strengthen ties ahead of Malaysia’s impending chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
Dafri Agussalim, an international relations professor at Gadjah Mada University, acknowledged a pattern of communication lapses under Prabowo’s administration. He cited instances such as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s departure during Prabowo’s speech at the D-8 Summit, Prabowo’s controversial remarks on pardoning corruptors, and the lack of clarity surrounding his visit to the United States.
Call for Improved Communication and Coordination
Former presidential spokesperson Dino Patti Djalal stressed the importance of a unified and consistent message from the presidential palace. He recommended that Prabowo should clearly appoint a spokesperson and that the presidential press bureau should be more proactive, transparent, and professional in its communication.
Dino also suggested that Prabowo should consider appointing a special advisor on international relations, a position previously held by nations like the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Despite the presence of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dino emphasized the unique needs of the presidential palace.
Kepala Kantor Komunikasi Kepresidenan Hasan Nasbi attributed the communication shortcomings to the focus of his office on strategic communication, leaving day-to-day communication tasks to other entities within the palace. Meanwhile, Menteri Sekretaris Negara Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the president has a spokesperson in the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and reassured that efforts were being made to reschedule the meeting between Prabowo and Anwar Ibrahim, potentially in January.
As Prabowo navigates his presidency, addressing the efficiently and transparency of communication from the presidential palace will be crucial in maintaining public trust and cultivating strong international relations.
