President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday, April 29, 2024, met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java ahead of the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat on the same day.
PM Lee and his delegation arrived at Bogor Presidential Palace at around 10.00 a.m. and were welcomed by President Jokowi. Both leaders then introduced the delegates from each country.
The meeting, a long-held tradition in which the countries’ leaders and ministers meet informally each year to discuss ways to strengthen ties, was the seventh and final one for both leaders, who will be leaving office in 2024. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong is set to take over from Lee on May 15. Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the country’s presidential election on February 14, will succeed Jokowi in October.
After the bilateral meeting, both leaders witnessed the exchange of a number of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries followed by a joint press statement held at the Lotus Room.
Describing the rare eight-eyed meeting as “particularly special” as it was his last with the Indonesian president, Lee expressed his confidence that the incoming leaders “will continue to bring the relationship to greater heights”.
“From the present leadership to the next, we are committed to look ahead, build on the strong foundation, and expand cooperation,” he said at the joint press conference with Jokowi.
“I am glad that President Jokowi and I are handing over the bilateral relationship in a good state to our successors.”
The visit ended with a state luncheon for PM Lee and his delegation at the Garuda Room, Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java.
