Defense Minister Prabowo Continues To Visit Saudi Arabia To Meet MBS Crown Prince

Indonesian Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto (left) and Crown Prince/Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) bin Abdulaziz / DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Defense Minister (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto continued his overseas visit from Jordan to Saudi Arabia and met with the Crown Prince/Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) bin Abdulaziz in Jeddah. Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Brigadier General TNI Edwin Adrian Sumantha explained that the meeting between Prabowo and MBS took place on Wednesday, June 12. "At the meeting, two parties reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, cooperation in various fields, including ways to support and develop it. Both of them also observed the current global situation, including the situation in Palestine," he said when contacted in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, June 13. Edwin said Defense Minister Prabowo also emphasized the importance of relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, including cooperation between two countries to maintain world peace. "I have witnessed His Majesty's determination in affirming Saudi Arabia's leadership in the region and its surroundings, including in promoting peace and stability for brothers and sisters in Palestine. The Palestinian issue is very close to our hearts," Prabowo told Prince MBS. In his meeting with the Saudi Arabian Prime Minister, Prabowo said, "I rely on your leadership in defending peace, justice and humanity for Palestine." On the same occasion, Prabowo also encouraged Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to increase trade cooperation. In addition, it is also exploring various new partnership opportunities, including the defense industry, agricultural technology, halal industry, and creative industry sectors. MBS, during its meeting with Prabowo in Jeddah, stated that Indonesia is like the second home for Saudi Arabia. He also agreed that Indonesia and Saudi Arabia need to increase economic and investment cooperation. Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, MBS expressed the same concern, especially at this time the ceasefire efforts have not drawn results. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is in the main spotlight in Prabowo's series of overseas trips to Jordan and Saudi Arabia this week. In Jordan, Prabowo attended a summit related to Gaza held by Egypt, Jordan, and the United Nations. In the forum, Prabowo, who was sent by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, conveyed Indonesia's attitude, among others, that Indonesia still believes in Palestinian independence and the two-state solution remains the way to a ceasefire and peace, then Indonesia is committed to supporting all efforts that can accelerate the ceasefire. At the summit, Prabowo also emphasized that Indonesia was willing to increase support for significant amounts of funds for UNRWA, the UN agency in Palestine that deals with refugees. Prabowo said that Indonesia was also willing to evacuate and treat 1,000 patients and children in Gaza to be brought to Indonesia, send the children to school, and repatriate them when the situation in Gaza returned to normal.

Prabowo also said that Indonesia was willing to build field hospitals, send hospital aid ships, and send medical personnel to Gaza, and return to deploy direct assistance to Gaza via air (airdrop) if needed.