Receiving The Hun Sen Senate In The DPR, Puan Invited The Inauguration Of The Name Of Jalan Sukarno In Cambodia

Puan Maharani received the Hun Sen Senar from Cambodia. (IST)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, received an honorary visit from the Chairperson of the Cambodian Royal Senate, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen at the DPR Building. This meeting is an effort to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cambodia, especially in the fields of parliament, trade, defense, and social issues that are of common concern.

"Welcome to Your Excellency Mr. Hun Sen, Chairman of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia at the Indonesian Parliament building," said Puan when welcoming the arrival of Hun Sen and his entourage at the DPR Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (7/5/2025).

Hun Sen came to the DPR with a number of Senate Kingdoms of Cambodia. In this meeting, Puan was accompanied by Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Charles Honoris, Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives Nico Siahaan, Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives Gilang Dhielafararez, and Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto.

Before the Call, Puan accompanied the Chairman of the Cambodian Senate, Hun Sen, to sign a certificate of presence, followed by a photo together. On this occasion, Puan also invited Hun Sen, who is a former Cambodian Prime Minister, to conduct a Tour Building for the Nusantara Building.

Puan also explained that the Nusantara Building, which is also known as the turtle building, is one of the historical places in Indonesia. He said the meeting in the turtle building had an important meaning.

"This building was initiated by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Sukarno. The roof of this building reflects the movement of bird wings which symbolizes that Indonesia will grow and develop," said Puan.

During the bilateral meeting, Puan talked about the close relationship between Indonesia and Cambodia that had existed since the era of President Sukarno and King Norodom Sihanouk. Prior to this meeting, Puan had also met Hun Sen at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) event at Phnom Penh in 2022.

Puan also said that Indonesia's contribution in the Cambodian peace process in the 1980s and 1990s was a legacy of dialogue and reconciliation values that are still relevant today.

"A close relationship in the past is certainly expected to be the foundation for a solid relationship for today's relations, and in the future," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

Puan continued, Indonesia and Cambodia need to strengthen cooperation in facing global challenges such as competition for great strength and trade wars. The two countries are also considered to need to strengthen ASEAN solidarity in order to create a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia region.

"Currently, synergy is needed between the government and parliament in overcoming various global, increasingly complex challenges," explained Puan.

During the meeting, Puan and Hun Sen discussed the issue of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Cambodia, although not specifically.

For cooperation between parliaments, Puan emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in facing global challenges and multidimensional crises. She encouraged closer cooperation between the Indonesian House of Representatives and the Cambodian Senate through the visit of leaders and members of parliament, exchange of knowledge, and involvement in regional forums such as AIPA, APA (Asian Parliamentary Assembly), and IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union).

"A closer parliamentary relationship will strengthen mutual trust and mutual understanding between the two countries," he explained.

Furthermore, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture appreciated the volume of bilateral trade in 2024 which has exceeded USD 1 billion, but there is still potential that can be increased. Puan encourages connectivity and two-way promotion in strengthening economic cooperation, including plans to open direct flight routes by AirAsia on the Cambodia-Bali route and additional Jakarta routes "Phom Penh."

"We need to look for new opportunities to increase bilateral trade. Indonesia is committed to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation by increasing connectivity, promoting two-way trade, and increasing investment cooperation," he explained.

Puan also encourages cooperation in the development aspect of the Cambodian halal industry. This is said to be created with Indonesia's support in training halal certification to facilitate exports to Muslim countries.

"We also need to develop friendship between communities, especially the younger generation, to support the solid relationship between the two countries," said Puan.

On this occasion, Hun Sen also emphasized the importance of increasing relations between Indonesia and Cambodia. Moreover, Cambodia feels that it has a special relationship with Indonesia.

Even Cambodia will name the street in its capital with the names of two Indonesian figures, namely the Proclaimer, Sukarno, and diplomat legend Ali Alatas. Hun Sen invited Puan to come to Phnom Penh to attend the inauguration of the two street names.

"I am honored that Indonesia's contribution has been recognized by the name of two roads in Phnom Penh based on the names of Indonesian figures, namely President Sukarno and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas," he said.

As Sukarno's grandson, Puan specifically thanked Cambodia for this honor.

"This is not only a great honor for the family of President Sukarno, but also for the people of Indonesia," said Puan emotionally.

Puan hopes that her meeting with Hun Sen can further strengthen relations between the two countries, especially between parliamentary relations.

"Hopefully this meeting can contribute to strengthening a stronger bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Cambodia," he said.

Puan's meeting with Hun Sen ran warmly, for more than 30 minutes. According to Puan, she and Hun Sen discussed the cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia starting from trade, defense, and others.

"He hopes that this closer relationship will continue to be improved. Now he is also an advisor to all existing governments and he also conveyed from a meeting with Mr. President Prabowo who is also his good friend, he hopes that all this good cooperation and relationship can continue," explained Puan after the meeting.

To Puan, Hun Sen stated that he was inspired that Indonesia already has a female parliamentary chairman. Currently, Cambodia also has a female parliamentary chairman, namely Khuon Sudary.

"He said he was inspired that Indonesia already has a female DPR chairman. So now in Cambodia there is then a female DPR chairman too," he said.

"So Alhamdulillah, Indonesia and Cambodia have the chairman of the women's House of Representatives and in the future, hopefully the relationship between Indonesia and Cambodia will remain good," added Puan.

The Cambodian Senate Hun Sen is scheduled to visit several locations in Jakarta as part of a series of visits in Indonesia. Hun Sen met President Prabowo Subianto at the Palace, Jakarta, yesterday, Monday (5/5).