Axel Hutapea, president of the Indonesian Students Association in the United States (Permias), said Prabowo’s leadership faces multiple challenges in an unpredictable international environment.
“At a moment like this, the president is confronted with difficult decisions,” Axel said Tuesday, expressing confidence Prabowo would act wisely.
“We believe in the president’s ability to deliver the best for Indonesia through policies that have positive and real impacts for all citizens,” he said.
Axel said he expected decisions made during the visit to prioritize national interests and public welfare, while stressing the need for caution.
“Whatever decisions are taken must serve the nation’s good and public prosperity. This visit to Washington through the end of the week must bring concrete, positive impacts for Indonesians,” he added.
He said Indonesian students in the United States also hope the government will strengthen attention to security, protection and stronger links to employment opportunities.
Those priorities align with Permias’ focus on protecting Indonesian citizens in the United States and advancing downstream development of national research, he said.
Axel expressed hope that Prabowo would take time to meet with Permias to discuss issues affecting Indonesian students in America.
“We hope the president is granted good health and wisdom in leading the country, and that students and the diaspora remain central in policymaking,” he said.
Prabowo arrived in Washington at about 12 p.m. local time on Tuesday after a Garuda Indonesia PK-GIF aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
He is scheduled to meet US business leaders on Wednesday, attend the inaugural Gaza Board of Peace summit on Thursday and hold bilateral talks with President Donald Trump, including plans to sign a reciprocal trade agreement under negotiation since 2025.
Prabowo was accompanied on the flight from Jakarta by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.
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Translator: Fathur R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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