Prabowo's designer son bridges divides by bringing personal style to diplomacy

Visits to Megawati and Jokowi during Hari Raya Aidilfitri draw attention

- Arlina Arshad

JAKARTA - Often seen at Paris fashion shows as a designer, the only son of President Prabowo Subianto has taken on a surprising new role: bridging divides among some of Indonesia's most powerful political figures.

Mr Didit Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo - better known as Didit Hediprasetyo - is the son of Mr Prabowo and his former wife Titiek Soeharto, daughter of former strongman president Suharto.

Mr Didit drew attention recently after making back-to-back visits to two former presidents - Ms Megawati Soekarnoputri in Central Jakarta, and Mr Joko Widodo (known popularly as Jokowi) in Solo, Central Java.

Mr Didit's low-key visits on March 31, the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, were framed as simple holiday greetings.

However, observers saw the outings as a symbolic gesture at a sensitive time. Relations between the two former leaders have soured since the 2024 Presidential Election, when Mr Widodo endorsed Mr Prabowo's campaign. Mr Widodo had backed his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Mr Prabowo's running mate instead of the candidates championed by Ms Megawati, who heads the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). This rift led to Mr Widodo's expulsion from PDI-P, his long-time party.

During his visits, Mr Didit, dressed in traditional attire and without a political entourage, posted cheerful selfies with the former presidents and their families in warm, informal settings.

The gesture was seen by analysts as a subtle effort to revive dialogue and project calm at the highest levels of government. Some believe it signals a behind-the-scenes strategy by President Prabowo to preserve unity and stability among Indonesia's competing power blocs.

In what is seen as a result of Mr Didit's quiet diplomacy, Mr Prabowo privately met Ms Megawati on April 7 for the first time since he was inaugurated in October 2024.