JAKARTA - That afternoon, Friday (27/3/2026), the sky above the Merdeka Palace looked shady. The clock showed 16.25 WIB when the roar of the motorcade began to be heard entering the courtyard. However, the scene this time felt different from the usual state reception. There was no stiff impression; there was only the warmth of two old friends who wanted to miss the victory month, Eid al-Fitr 1447 H.
President Prabowo Subianto has stood up on the west side of the Palace. As soon as the vehicle door opened, he did not wait at the main podium. With a firm but friendly step, he immediately approached the door of the car of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. A deep gesture of respect, as well as an affirmation that the one who came that afternoon was not just a guest of the country, but a brother.
In the middle of their footsteps, the air of Jakarta was suddenly colored by a melody that was very familiar to the ears of the community. The music corps played the song Rasa Sayange.
Hearing the cheerful tones, PM Anwar's smile widened. Without hesitation, he hummed the lyrics, sang along to the rhythm of the music. This spontaneous moment seemed to break down the cold bureaucratic barriers. The music was no longer just a complement to the ceremony, but a bridge of feeling that unites the collective memories of two neighboring nations.
In the nuances of Idulfitri 1447 Hijriah which are still thick, the two walked side by side towards the inside of the Palace. There was no distance. They talked intimately, occasionally interspersed with light laughter, like two relatives who met on Eid.
The meeting inside the Palace flowed smoothly. Although the negotiating table still discussed strategic issues in the region, the spirit of this meeting was a social gathering. Behind the tight handshake, there was hope for a more harmonious, stable, and mutually reinforcing relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Prime Minister Anwar's visit this time is a gentle reminder to all of us: that above all political affairs and global dynamics, the power of friendship and sincerity remains the most powerful diplomacy. That afternoon in Jakarta, Idulfitri really became a glue for the two leaders who are committed to maintaining peace in their own home, Southeast Asia.
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