Visit The Residence Of Malaysian PM, Prabowo Discusses Defense Cooperation

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (four left) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) talked in the First Series, Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday (30/11/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto met Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim at PM Anwar's official residence, Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday 30 November.

During his visit, the Minister of Defense discussed Indonesia-Malaysia defense cooperation as well as exploring opportunities to expand existing partnerships.

Defense Minister Prabowo's visit to Malaysia met Malaysian Prime Minister H E. Anwar Ibrahim accompanied by Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Main Series Mohamad Hasan and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. The meeting discussed various issues related to the interests of the two countries, especially in the defense sector and increased bilateral relations," said Head of the Public Relations Bureau (Karo Humas) of the Secretariat General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Brigadier General TNI Edwin Adrian Sumantha in Jakarta, Thursday, November 30.

However, Edwin did not provide further explanation regarding the contents of the meeting between Prabowo and Anwar Ibrahim in the Initial Series.

Prabowo left for Malaysia from Jakarta on Thursday, November 30 morning and returned to Indonesia on the same day.

In Malaysia, Defense Minister Prabowo's agenda is only an honorary visit to meet PM Anwar Ibrahim.

Arriving in the First Series, Prabowo, wearing brown batik, was immediately greeted by Anwar Ibrahim who also wore a purple flower patterned batik. The two shook hands and embraced each other.

About a month ago, Anwar Ibrahim also received Anies Baswedan's arrival in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on October 12, 2023. During the meeting, the two discussed the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.

In Malaysia, Anies at that time met not only Anwar, but also to fulfill an invitation from the Institute of National Islamic Thoughts and Tamadun (ISTAC) and the United Islamic Universiti Alumni between the Malaysian nation (UIAM).

Prabowo and Anies, who are presidential candidates number 2 and number 1, are currently competing in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres). So far, only presidential candidate number 3, Ganjar Pranowo, has not met Anwar in Putrajaya.

However, the Malaysian PM directly welcomed the arrival of the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri and the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 3, 2023.

Several political observers in Malaysia, as quoted from the Bernama news agency, said the meeting was aimed at maintaining close relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, especially after the 2024 presidential election.