October 29, 2025 | 02:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Sugiono has denied speculation that President Prabowo Subianto returned early from the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur because Malaysian television mistakenly identified him as Joko Widodo. Sugiono stated that President Prabowo's early departure was necessitated by an urgent matter requiring his return to Indonesia.
"Please do not speculate like that, as there are several urgent matters that caused him to return," Sugiono said in Kuala Lumpur during a video interview received by Tempo on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Sugiono noted that the President instructed him and several other ministers to continue the summit's agenda. The remaining ministers include Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, and Trade Minister Budi Santoso.
Sugiono reiterated that the President's return was not related to the misidentification by RTM Malaysia during the ASEAN Summit broadcast.
RTM Apologizes for Misidentification
The denial follows an incident where Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) apologized for erroneously referring to the current Indonesian President as Joko Widodo instead of Prabowo Subianto during the live broadcast of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025.
"The Malaysian Broadcasting Department conveys sincere apologies for the mistake made during the live broadcast of RTM for the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)," said RTM Director-General Suhaimi bin Sulaiman in a written statement seen by Tempo on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Suhaimi explained that RTM’s internal investigation found that the broadcast commentator mistakenly referred to the President of the Republic of Indonesia as Joko Widodo, confirming that the current President is Prabowo Subianto.
"RTM views this matter seriously, and appropriate actions have been taken," Suhaimi added.
Representing RTM, Suhaimi extended apologies to President Prabowo and the Indonesian Government, as well as to all affected parties. Suhaimi pledged that RTM would strengthen editorial oversight and fact-checking processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all broadcast information.
The misidentification occurred as Prabowo arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit at 08:20 local time. He was welcomed directly by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the park entrance of KLCC. A female commentator from RTM incorrectly referred to Prabowo as Joko Widodo while narrating his arrival in a white sedan.
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