Prabowo's phone call with Trump a foreign policy masterclass

The audacious move and similar gestures are the essence of his diplomatic playbook

- Hariz Baharudin

"I would like to call personally on you wherever you are. I am willing to fly to congratulate you in person, sir."

These are not just words; they are a calculated signal from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to the world, directed squarely at US President-elect Donald Trump during a phone call on Nov 11.

"Wherever you are, I am willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir," he added.

It was an audacious move. A video of that call uploaded to Mr Prabowo's social media, however, has drawn mixed reactions back home in Indonesia. Some praised his proactive approach, while others criticised it for his deferential posture.

Why the drama? For Mr Prabowo, freshly inaugurated on Oct 20 after a tenacious climb to power in his third bid for the presidency, such gestures are more than political theatre. They are the essence of his diplomatic playbook.

This is a man who understands the potency of personal overtures. A man who grew up in the era of national giants and global statesmen, and knows that good personal relationships can forge stronger ties between countries.

And he understands that positive American perceptions of Indonesia can amplify the country's political weight.

Mr Prabowo's bold move underscores his aim: to project an image of Indonesia as aktif (active), fully engaged on the global stage and resolute in shaping its foreign policy narrative.

So singularly focused on delivering his key message and adept at reading the moment was he that even when confronted with a seemingly condescending comment from Trump that "your English is so good", Mr Prabowo responded with poise, crediting his time in America.

"All my training is American, sir," he said.

This seamless blend of warmth and calculation highlights that for Mr Prabowo, diplomacy is as much about optics and the human element as it is about policy.