Prabowo Visits 5 Countries In 3 Days, Meets State Leaders

JAKARTA Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as well as the elected president of 2024-2029 visited five countries in Southeast Asia as well as within three days to meet with each country leader.

Prabowo's first visit was to Brunei Darussalam to meet with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, at Nurul Iman Palace, Brunei Darussalam, Thursday, September 5. Prabowo flew from Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport Jakarta at 10:00 am.

The meeting between Prabowo and the Sultan of Brunei discussed a number of strategic issues, especially in the field of defense and also related to cooperation in the field of education where he invited Brunei Darussalam officers to study the Master program at the Defense University of the Republic of Indonesia (The Republic of Indonesia Defense University / Ridu).

"With pleasure, we invite Brunei Armed Forces officers to register for the master's program offered in DIDU," said Prabowo.

After a working visit in Brunei, Prabowo continued his journey to Laos and took off from Brunei International Airport on Thursday, September 5 at 14:27 local time and arrived in Laos at 17:38 local time.

Arriving in Laos, Prabowo met with the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Laos Prime Minister Sonopay Smendone on Friday, September 6, 2024.

The two meetings discussed various strategic issues between Indonesia and Laos that would benefit both parties.

"We understand that Indonesia and the Democratic People's Republic of Laos not only have bilateral relations but also are committed to regional stability and security in the ASEAN community," said Prabowo.

Continuing his visit, from Laos Prabowo left for Cambodia at 11:38 p.m. local time and arrived in Cambodia at 12:40 p.m. to meet with the President of the Cambodian Senate, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo (Hun Sen) and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei (Hun Manet).

In a meeting with Hun Sen, Prabowo expressed his deepest appreciation to Cambodia for its ongoing commitment to strengthening defense cooperation with Indonesia.

"In the future, it is very important for both countries to actively seek and exploit new opportunities to collaborate, ensuring that our partnership remains strong and responsive to the challenges and opportunities that arise," Prabowo said.

Then, together with PM Hun Manet, Prabowo expressed his belief that Indonesia and Cambodia could work closely together to seek to advance prosperity and progress in the region of the two countries.

"By strengthening our collaboration, we can make a significant contribution to ASEAN's overall welfare and development. I hope our sustainable partnership in achieving this common goal," said Prabowo.

Still on the same day, Friday, September 6, 2024, Prabowo continued his working visit to Thailand. Prabowo is scheduled to fly from Cambodia at 17:37 local time and arrives in Thailand at 18:27.

As for Thailand, Prabowo was accompanied by his son Didit Hediprasetyo attending a dinner with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with his daughter who is Thailand's new PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, Friday night.

"Thank you Your Majesty, Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra for inviting me to a warm dinner at your residence in Bangkok. Respect the friendship between our families, and look forward to your arrival in Indonesia," Prabowo wrote.

After staying in Thailand, on Saturday morning Prabowo departed from Thailand for Malaysia at 09:11 local time to then arrive in neighboring Malaysia at 11:06 local time.

In Malaysia, Prabowo's agenda began with meeting with the King of Malaysia, Your Excellency, the United Series of The King, Agong Sultan Ibrahim, at the State Palace, Kuala Lumpur.

During the meeting, both parties discussed strengthening defense cooperation and various other strategic issues. Prabowo wants the cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia to continue.

I respect the strong relationship between the two countries. We and will continue to strive to improve cooperation, especially in the defense sector. I appreciate your good hopes and hope that our partnership will continue to develop for the common good," said Prabowo.

Closing Prabowo's visit to Asian countries, he met his best friend Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim after meeting with Sultan Ibrahim.

Together with Anwar Ibrahim, Prabowo discussed the commitment to bilateral cooperation between the two countries which will continue to run well in line with strengthening Indonesia-Malaysia relations in various fields.

"Thank you for the constructive discussion today. I reiterate the commitment of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense to jointly create a harmonious and mutually beneficial defense bilateral relationship for the two countries," said Prabowo.

After visiting five Southeast Asian countries, Prabowo left for Indonesia at 16:41 p.m. Thailand time and arrived in Indonesia at 20:20 p.m. local time.