Prabowo Urged 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, 2026, titled 3 Reality Check for President Prabowo’s Diplomacy, Djalal argued that Indonesia should become more actively involved in managing its regional interests. He noted a growing perception that the president is more focused on the global stage than on the immediate neighborhood of Southeast Asia.

Departure from Diplomatic Tradition

Djalal pointed to the president’s early overseas visits after taking office as a departure from Indonesia’s diplomatic tradition. He stated that the first visits were not to ASEAN countries, but instead included trips to China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Peru, Brazil, the Emirates, and Egypt.

According to Djalal, over the past 18 months, only four of Prabowo’s 49 foreign visits were to Southeast Asian nations: Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Singapore. He further noted that a planned visit to Timor-Leste, which holds historical and political significance for Indonesia, has not yet occurred.

Prabowo visits the Middle East and Europe much more often than ASEAN

Dino Patti Djalal

Regional Concerns and Diplomatic Gaps

The former ambassador criticized the limited response of the Indonesian government to regional issues, specifically citing the situation in Myanmar and tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Djalal expressed concern over the reduced prominence of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in President Prabowo’s current diplomatic approach. Because the AOIP was a framework initiated by Indonesia, Djalal suggested that this shift has raised concerns among regional partners.

He warned that a perception of indifference toward ASEAN could damage Indonesia’s global credibility and reputation, particularly given the country’s limitations within the international arena.

Global Ambitions and Middle East Mediation

The critique comes as President Prabowo pursues a high-profile role in global conflict resolution. In March 2026, Indonesia offered to facilitate negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Israel following surprise strikes by the U.S. And Israel on Iran.

Reports indicate that Indonesia has attempted to maintain neutrality by urging all parties to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue. This follows the president’s attendance at a Gaza peace summit in Egypt on October 14, 2025.

ASEAN Engagement and Domestic Foundations

President Prabowo has previously addressed the importance of the region. During the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025, he called on member states to be courageous, adaptive, and visionary when facing global uncertainties.

During that summit, Prabowo emphasized that ASEAN’s global strength must be based on strong domestic foundations, stating that such a foundation allows the region to build bridges to the world and gain the credibility needed to shape the future beyond its borders.

At the same event, the president praised Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for organizing the summit and for resolving regional disputes. He also welcomed Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN and congratulated Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul.

Prabowo’s regional agenda has also included efforts to update the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and promote digital transformation and regional integration to protect the area from external shocks.