Budiman Sudjatmiko: I Used to be Like "Tom and Jerry" with Prabowo...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency and former PDI-P politician Budiman Sudjatmiko stated that he and President Prabowo Subianto were like Tom and Jerry in the past.

Reflecting on that history, Budiman said he had no reason to thank Prabowo.

"I have been like Tom and Jerry with Mr. Prabowo for decades. I have no personal reason to thank him. I have no personal reason. I have no moral reason to personally, emotionally say, 'thank you, Mr. Prabowo,'" Budiman expressed during a Prabowo Subianto volunteer event in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (22/10/2026).

However, on one night in 2023, Budiman declared his support for Prabowo as a presidential candidate for 2024.

He claimed that his support for Prabowo was solely based on geopolitical reasons.

"But, on the night of 1 Suro in 2023, the night of 1 Suro, the Islamic New Year, I went to Mr. Prabowo's house and expressed my support. The reasons are ideological. The reasons are geopolitical. The reasons are geostrategic. It's quite simple," he explained.

Budiman believes that in a turbulent world, Indonesia needs a presidential candidate who can engage with leaders of other countries.

Among Prabowo, Anies Baswedan, and Ganjar Pranowo, he asserted that Prabowo is the most proficient in international relations.

"Who among these presidential candidates could casually pat Xi Jinping on the back without feeling awkward? Who among these leaders could meet Putin without bowing? Who could chat casually with Trump? Who? From the available stock, it’s simple, just one (only Prabowo)," asserted Budiman.

"Because simple gestures in the midst of global political tension can ease the atmosphere. Simple political gestures. If a leader from Indonesia cannot even display body language or simple political gestures to ease tensions between countries, then I can't imagine how complicated it will be," he continued.

Meanwhile, Budiman emphasized that geopolitical issues are always related to existence.

"The problem is difficult, sometimes the solution is simple when it comes to existence. Simple, the picture is just sitting down for coffee together, simple diplomacy," he added.

Prabowo's Confession According to Budiman

Previously, '98 activist Budiman Sudjatmiko stated that the Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, had claimed to have returned all abducted activists from the 1998 kidnapping incidents.

However, Prabowo did not know the fates of the kidnapping victims who have never returned home or are declared missing. At least 13 kidnapping victims from 1997-1998 are still missing.

Budiman shared this during the Gaspol! program, as reported on YouTube Kompas.com, Wednesday (26/7/2023).