KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim describes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as a “loyal” friend who stood by during good and bad times.
"There are few individuals whose greatness and sincerity we can genuinely acknowledge, and Prabowo is undoubtedly one of them," he said during a joint-press comference at the PETRONAS Twin Tower here on Monday (Jan 27).
Anwar stated that although Prabowo's sincerity in friendship had elicited some “discomfort and anger” from certain quarters, the Indonesian president had never forsaken him.
Meanwhile, Prabowo extended his highest gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for conferring him the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati I and Anwar for the invitation to Malaysia.
"We have many emotional ties with Malaysia.
"That’s why I often visit Malaysia. However, as the President, it’s not as easy or simple as before. There are now many protocols to follow," he said.
"For me, Malaysia and Indonesia shared many mutual interests.
"We are both founding members of Asean and share historical ties, familial connections, cultural bonds and even ethnic links.
"If I’m not mistaken, many leaders in Malaysia still have family members in Indonesia," he said.
"This symbolises the close relationship between myself and Malaysia, as well as between myself and the Johor royal family," he said.
Prabowo said his relationship with Malaysia was truly meaningful, and whenever he visits, "it feels like coming home."
According to Wisma Putra, the state visit highlights the strong and special friendship between Malaysia and Indonesia, and it marks the first state visit by a foreign Head of State since the installation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as King of Malaysia.
It also marks Prabowo's first state visit to a South-East Asian country since his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia on October 20 last year.
As close neighbours with strong ties and founding members of Asean, this state visit reflects the commitment of both countries to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level for the prosperity and progress of both nations and the region at large.
Malaysia and Indonesia's strategic ties encompass comprehensive cooperation in a wide range of areas, including politics, economy, defence, interconnectivity, education, and socio-cultural issues.
From January to November last year, total bilateral trade between the two countries reached RM106.06bil, an increase from RM101.99 bil during the same period in 2023.
In 2023, Indonesia was Malaysia's eighth-largest trading partner globally and the third-largest within Asean, with a total trade volume of RM111.21bil.
