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).

Budiman explained that in 2002, he and one of the returned kidnapping victims, Nezar Patria, interviewed Prabowo.

"Why not? Why can’t we talk about it with Mr. Prabowo someday? Even though I asked about it back in 2002. I forgot to relay that (around) 2002 when I was with Nezar during the interview," Budiman shared in the program.

He then revealed Prabowo's answer at that time.

According to Budiman, Prabowo admitted to abducting activists but claimed to have returned all victims to their homes.

As for the other activists whose whereabouts remain unknown, Prabowo said he was unaware of their fate.

"(Prabowo said) 'Those I took have all returned. I returned them all. I don’t know why some have never come home. But those I took I have released all.' That was his confession," he said.

Prabowo Apologizes

On January 27, 2024, Prabowo, still a candidate for president ranked number 2, addressed several '98 activists who joined him in the National Campaign Team (TKN) for Prabowo-Gibran Rakabuming Raka during the event ‘Suara Muda Indonesia Untuk Prabowo-Gibran’ at the JCC, Senayan, Jakarta.

Among them were Budiman Sudjatmiko and Agus Jabo.

Prabowo initially apologized to Agus Jabo for having pursued the Chairman of Prima. According to him, Agus Jabo used to be rebellious.

"Also present were Ahmad Muzani, Agus Jabo from Prima, sorry I used to chase you. Back then. On orders. He was rebellious back then," Prabowo stated.

Then, Prabowo turned to Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Budiman is a '98 activist who was previously detained during the New Order era.

Prabowo also apologized to Budiman for having pursued him.

"And then, brother Budiman Sudjatmiko. This is also sorry, Man, I chased after you too. But I’ve already apologized to you, right?" added Prabowo.