Abstract

This closed-door roundtable aims to examine the direction and decision-making process of Indonesia’s foreign policy under President Prabowo Subianto. During the 2024 Presidential Election campaign, Prabowo pledged to restore the prestige of Indonesia’s foreign policy as a great and sovereign nation. In his first 100 days in office, the president has been highly active on the international stage. The Indonesian government recently joined BRICS and received the mandate to chair the D-8 (Developing-8) in 2026. Furthermore, Indonesia continues to pursue its ambition of becoming a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  This closed-door roundtable will explore these key questions: what factors influence Prabowo’s foreign policy? In what ways do domestic politics shape Indonesia’s foreign policy and national policy under the Prabowo presidency?

About the Speaker

Rico Marbun is Executive Director of Media Survei Nasional (MEDIAN), a Jakarta-based survey company. He is also Head of the Central Executive Board (DPP), and Coordinator for Election Strategy of Gelora Party, a member of Prabowo’s party coalition. Mr. Rico graduated from University of Indonesia with a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1998. He is also an alumnus of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Rico obtained his master’s degree in strategic studies from RSIS in 2006. He was a lecturer in the International Relations department at Paramadina University and the Political Science department at Indonesian Police Academic College (PTIK).