Indonesian media reported that Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto initially planned to stay for the duration of the 47th Asean Summit and related meetings, which ends today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Indonesian ambassador Hermono has rubbished rumours that President Prabowo Subianto cut short his trip to Malaysia for the 47th Asean Summit after being mistakenly identified as ex-president Joko Widodo by state broadcaster RTM.

Hermono told FMT Indonesia’s foreign ministry spokesman Yvonne Mewengkang had already stated that Prabowo returned to Jakarta yesterday because of a “tight domestic agenda”.

“It has nothing to do at all with the miscalling of his name by the (RTM) presenter,” said Hermono.

The communications ministry’s broadcasting department apologised on Sunday after an RTM commentator mistakenly referred to Prabowo as his predecessor, Widodo, during its live coverage of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. RTM’s commentators also wrongly named the prime ministers of Singapore and Thailand.

The department said RTM would continue to strengthen its editorial controls and fact-checking processes to ensure all the information it broadcasts is accurate.

A recording of the live telecast showed Prabowo arriving at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the summit, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The Jakarta Post reported that while Prabowo initially planned to stay for the duration of the three-day summit, he decided to cut his trip short yesterday afternoon after attending the 26th Asean-South Korea Summit, the 28th Asean Plus Three Summit and a reception commemorating Timor-Leste’s entry into the regional grouping.

Following Prabowo’s departure, he is being represented by several of his Cabinet ministers, including foreign minister Sugiono and coordinating economy minister Airlangga Hartarto.

Prabowo attended the Asean-US Summit on Sunday, where US president Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific after stating that the US is “100%” behind Southeast Asia.

Speaking at the 28th Asean Plus Three Summit, which brings together Asean states with China, Japan and South Korea, Prabowo called for further cooperation and regional competition that remains “constructive” amid growing global uncertainties, reported The Jakarta Post.

During the Asean leaders’ retreat on Sunday, Prabowo called on the bloc to take more concrete steps to address regional crises, including the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar.

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Prabowo didn’t leave early because of RTM blunder, says envoy

Hermono notes a foreign ministry spokesman had already stated that the Indonesian president returned to Jakarta yesterday because of a ‘tight domestic agenda’.