Friends Will Not Get Offended Easily Says Indonesian Envoy After Rtm Broadcast Mix Up

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Indonesia’s Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Hermono said relations between the two countries remain unaffected by an “unfortunate” broadcast mistake involving President Prabowo Subianto during the recent 47th Asean Summit. — NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAHKUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Hermono said relations between the two countries remain unaffected by an "unfortunate" broadcast mistake involving President Prabowo Subianto during the recent 47th Asean Summit.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia were "close friends" who would not be easily offended by an unintentional error.
A career diplomat with 40 years of service, Hermono, 65, is a distinguished veteran who was appointed ambassador to Malaysia in October 2020. During his stint in Malaysia, he has worked vigorously to strengthen bilateral, cultural and economic ties.
Hermono was referring to an incident where a Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) commentator mistakenly referred to Prabowo as former president Joko Widodo during the summit's live broadcast.
"We are not sulking because we know the relationship between President Prabowo and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is very close," he said during the Podkas BH Borak Harini programme.
"It's not something that would cause us to take offence, because Malaysia and Indonesia share a special relationship. So even if President Prabowo had to return to Jakarta earlier, it was not because of this issue.
"When you are friends, you don't get offended easily. That's what friends are for. The mistake was unintentional," he said.
Last Sunday, the Malaysian Broadcasting Department issued an apology over the on-air slip-up, which briefly confused viewers watching the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Citing The Jakarta Post, Hermono said Prabowo had originally planned to attend the full three-day meeting from Oct 26 to 28 but decided to return to Indonesia earlier after completing several key sessions, including the Asean–South Korea Summit, the Asean Plus Three Summit, and a reception marking Timor-Leste's admission into the regional bloc.
"To be honest, from the start, President Prabowo was not expected to stay until the 28th," Hermono said. "But because of the incident, people assumed the Indonesian president was offended — that wasn't the case."
He said Prabowo's early departure had been scheduled beforehand to attend an event in Indonesia.
Hermono said the matter was resolved after the Malaysian government sent a diplomatic note apologising for the mix-up.
"I am grateful that the Malaysian government responded quickly, acknowledging the mistake and apologising for the confusion," he said according to Berita Harian.
He added that both nations remain focused on key bilateral priorities, including border management, protection of Indonesian workers, and new cooperation in the Sulawesi Sea.
"With the Sulawesi Sea proposal, we aim to turn potential conflict into cooperation," he said. "Instead of disputes, why not collaborate?"
Hermono specialises in migrant issues and has been working to improve the welfare and protection of Indonesian migrants in Malaysia and other countries. - NST

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