Defense Minister and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia on Saturday, September 7, 2024, discussing efforts to maintain and enhance bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in defense sector.
“Thank you for today’s constructive discussion. I reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to fostering a harmonious and mutually beneficial bilateral defense relationship,” Prabowo said.
Earlier in the day, Prabowo met with the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim.
In a show of personal and diplomatic goodwill, Prabowo extended an invitation to Anwar to attend his upcoming presidential inauguration in Jakarta, set for October 20, 2024.
Anwar expressed his joy over Prabowo’s election and their continued close ties.
“I am deeply honored to have been invited to the presidential inauguration on October 20, 2024 in Jakarta,” Anwar said on his official Instagram account.
In a separate post by Sultan Ibrahim, the Malaysian king highlighted the longstanding friendship between himself and Prabowo, which began over 40 years ago during joint military training at Fort Bragg, USA. Sultan Ibrahim voiced his support for strengthening the cooperation between the two nations, particularly in defense.
Both leaders also discussed strategic issues, including defense cooperation and security in border regions, highlighting their commitment to a stable and secure Southeast Asia.
The meeting marked an important step in furthering the Indonesia-Malaysia partnership, especially as Prabowo continues his diplomatic engagements in the region following visits to Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
This meeting underscores the ongoing commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation under the ASEAN framework.