Bilateral cooperation: Anwar welcoming Prabowo to a tea reception at the PETRONAS Twin Towers. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia want to leverage mutual strength across various key sectors, including defence and oil and gas, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that Indonesia has extensive experience and capabilities in defence, and Malaysia wants to explore any potential cooperation opportunities.
“Malaysia is ready to see what we can gain from Indonesia, which is certainly more important than acquiring or purchasing from other countries,” he told a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
He said the two countries are committed to ensuring greater collaboration, including between PETRONAS and Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
“The two are giant oil companies in the region, and they are to work more closely in exploring new streams and business areas,” he said.
Anwar said that both Malaysia and Indonesia shared a close history, language, culture and proximity in terms of shared borders.
“We must enhance cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment and expand into education, research, food technology, downstream industries, and energy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this can only happen if there is mutual understanding, closeness, confidence and trust among leaders and their leadership teams.
“I extend my highest gratitude for providing clear instructions to the respective ministers, officials and related departments, as well as the private sector, to ensure everything we agree on is implemented as soon as possible,” he added.
Describing Prabowo as his “loyal friend”, the Prime Minister said the Indonesian President had stood by him during good and bad times.
“There are few whose greatness and sincerity we can truly acknowledge.
“Prabowo is undoubtedly one of them,” he said.
Anwar said although Prabowo’s sincerity in friendship had created some ‘discomfort and anger’ from certain quarters, the Indonesian President had never abandoned him.
“There are not many whose greatness and sincerity can be truly recognised.
“I count Prabowo among the exceptional ones due to his unwavering dedication, even to the point of drawing discomfort and anger from certain parties at that time,” said Anwar.
