Warm In Sydney! Prabowo Calls Australian PM Albo, A Sign Of The Closeness Of Two Friends Of The State

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto summoned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the nickname 'Albo' short for his last name as a form of personal closeness and warm relations between Indonesia and Australia.

The moment occurred after the two of them delivered a joint statement on the deck of the HMAS Canberra aircraft carrier, in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, November 12.

When asked by foreign journalists about the closer relationship between Indonesia and Australia, President Prabowo answered in a friendly tone, confirming that the closeness of the two countries also reflected the closeness between its leaders.

"You could say so (close). We were very close many years ago to what I remember, PM Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, and Juli, and now my best friend Albo. Can I call you Albo?" Prabowo said while tapping Albanese's back and laughing smallly.

"You can (call Albo)," replied Albanese with a big smile.

The two then continued their meeting trypte-t leaste at Kirribilli House, the official residence of the Australian Prime Minister who went directly to Sydney Harbor and Opera House.

In a relaxed atmosphere in the yard, two helicopters crossed Sydney's skies, adding to the symbolic moment of togetherness between the two leaders who both promised to strengthen economic, defense and educational cooperation.

Kunjungan resmi Presiden Prabowo ke Australia kali ini merupakan kunjungan balasan atas kedatangan PM Albanese ke Jakarta pada Mei 2025, sehari setelah ia kembali terpilih sebagai Perdana Menteri Australia.

President Prabowo's official visit to Australia this time was a return visit to PM Albanese's arrival to Jakarta in May 2025, a day after he was re-elected as Australian Prime Minister.