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Prabowo Subianto's State Visit to Malaysia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and ASEAN Cooperation

Prabowo Subianto’s State Visit to Malaysia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and ASEAN Cooperation

Kuala Lumpur, January 26, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to undertake his first official state visit to Malaysia next week, marking a significant step in reinforcing bilateral relations and bolstering regional stability and security within ASEAN.

Speaking to media, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Hermono, emphasized the importance of the visit, expressing optimism about its potential to strengthen diplomatic ties and address key issues such as border disputes.

“This visit will bolster all aspects of the longstanding relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, two influential nations within the ASEAN region,” Hermono stated. “It is hoped that this visit will expedite the resolution of several pending issues, including border disputes.”

Hermono further highlighted the critical role of Indonesia-Malaysia relations in maintaining ASEAN Centrality amid evolving political dynamics.

“The strengthening of ties between Indonesia and Malaysia is essential for safeguarding regional stability and security,” he said.

President Prabowo, who is currently concluding a state visit to India, confirmed his upcoming visit via his X account on January 23, stating that the visit is at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

“Strengthening cooperation with our friendly nations has always been a top priority in our efforts to build a more robust and prosperous region together,” Prabowo stated.

The Indonesian delegation accompanying the President will include high-ranking officials such as Foreign Minister Sugiono, Trade Minister Budi Santoso, Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Abdul Kadir Karding, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.

The state visit comes just weeks after President Prabowo’s one-day working visit to Malaysia on January 9, where he engaged in private discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. During the meeting, Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, a role Malaysia assumed this year with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), described the visit as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations.

“Malaysia and Indonesia may well be on the cusp of a new golden age, driven by the strong personal rapport between President Prabowo and Prime Minister Anwar,” he said.

Mohd Faiz underscored the necessity of greater coordination between the two nations, particularly in light of the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry.

“The personal chemistry between the two leaders is undeniable, reminiscent of the goodwill shared during the era of Tun Razak and Tun Ghazali Shafie, which marked a golden age for Malaysia-Indonesia relations,” he noted.

Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Malaysia remains a cornerstone of their relationship. In 2023, Indonesia was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN, with a total trade value of RM111.21 billion (US$24.39 billion). From January to October 2024, trade volume reached RM95.50 billion (US$20.75 billion), reflecting the growing economic partnership between the two nations.

President Prabowo emphasized the shared cultural and historical ties between the two countries, underscoring their roles as founding members of ASEAN.

“Together, Indonesia and Malaysia have been the driving force behind ASEAN, fostering cooperation and advancing regional development,” he stated before departing for India last week.

The upcoming state visit is anticipated to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening ASEAN’s collective role in addressing global challenges.