होमAsiaMalaysia PM Anwar Hails Indonesian President Prabowo as a ‘Loyal Friend’ During...

Malaysia PM Anwar Hails Indonesian President Prabowo as a ‘Loyal Friend’ During Landmark State Visit

Kuala Lumpr, Malaysia – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a “loyal” friend who has remained steadfast through both good and challenging times.

“There are few individuals whose greatness and sincerity we can genuinely acknowledge, and Prabowo is undoubtedly one of them,” Anwar said during a joint press conference at the PETRONAS Twin Towers on Monday, January 27.

Indonesia’s President, who served as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, traveled directly from India to Malaysia for his state visit.

Anwar emphasized that Prabowo’s unwavering friendship had occasionally sparked “discomfort and anger” from certain parties, yet the Indonesian leader never abandoned him.

Prabowo Expresses Gratitude and Highlights Emotional Bonds with Malaysia

In his remarks, President Prabowo expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, for bestowing upon him the prestigious Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati I, and to Anwar for the warm invitation.

“We have many emotional ties with Malaysia,” Prabowo stated. “That’s why I often visit Malaysia. However, as President, it’s not as simple as before, with more protocols to follow.”

Indonesian President Prabowo and Malaysian Prime Minister engage in discussions during their visit to the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Presidential Media Team on X

Prabowo emphasized the deep connections between Malaysia and Indonesia, citing their shared history, familial ties, cultural bonds, and ethnic links.

“If I’m not mistaken, many leaders in Malaysia still have family members in Indonesia,” he added, underscoring the enduring closeness of the two nations.

The Indonesian President described his visits to Malaysia as feeling like “coming home” and reiterated the importance of strengthening ties.

Historic State Visit Highlights Strong Bilateral Relations

According to Wisma Putra, the state visit underscores the special and robust friendship between Malaysia and Indonesia. It marks the first state visit by a foreign Head of State since Sultan Ibrahim’s installation as King of Malaysia and Prabowo’s first visit to a South-East Asian country since assuming the presidency on October 20, 2024.

As founding members of ASEAN, Malaysia and Indonesia’s shared commitment to advancing bilateral relations reflects their dedication to the prosperity of both nations and the region.

Trade and Cooperation at the Forefront

Malaysia and Indonesia’s strategic partnership spans numerous sectors, including politics, economy, defence, education, and socio-cultural issues.

From January to November 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached RM106.06 billion, an increase from RM101.99 billion during the same period in 2023. In 2023, Indonesia was Malaysia’s eighth-largest global trading partner and the third-largest within ASEAN, with a total trade volume of RM111.21 billion.

This landmark state visit is expected to further solidify the deep-rooted ties between Malaysia and Indonesia, setting a foundation for greater collaboration and shared prosperity in the years ahead.


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