Kunker To Abu Dhabi, Puan Hopes RI-UAE Relations Are Getting Closer And Stronger

Puan Maharani (Photo via Dok DPR)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, made a working visit (Kunker) to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this account, she emphasized that the Indonesian House of Representatives is ready to fully support Indonesia's cooperation with the UAE to strengthen relations between the two countries.

"Bilateral relations between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have proven to have benefits for both of them. The DPR and I will continue to support and oversee so that relations between the two countries are getting closer," said Puan, Saturday, July 8.

Puan arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (6/7) which is a series of work agendas for the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives in the UAE. In this account, Puan had the opportunity to review the new building and the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) located in the foreign Embassy area in Abu Dhabi.

The construction of the building which stands on an area of 5,574.18 m2 is a grant from the UAE Government. According to Puan, this is proof of the closeness of the two countries.

"This building grant is not just a gift but also a symbol of friendship between Indonesia and the UAE. I hope the construction of this building will increase the closeness of the two countries," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

"As well as a new hope for Indonesia where there is a building that will be historical evidence for Indonesia and the UAE," added Puan.

Puan also discussed the development of Indonesia-UAE cooperation with the Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Husin Bagis. The cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE in various fields is currently increasing and getting closer.

It is known that Indonesia's cooperation with the UAE is the most prominent in the field of trade and investment, including regarding UAE investment in the State Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago in East Kalimantan.

In the new capital city of Indonesia project, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan or familiarly called MBZ became the IKN Steering Committee along with two other people, namely Soft Bank CEO Masayoshi Son and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In addition, in 2022 the total trade between Indonesia and the UAE reached US$5.1 billion, an increase of 25.35 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Indonesia's exports to the UAE were recorded at US$2.3 billion while Indonesia's imports from the UAE amounted to US$2.8 billion.

Indonesia's export mainstay products to the UAE include jewelry, palm oil, motorized vehicles, woven fabrics and equipment for television. Meanwhile, Indonesia's main imports from the UAE include natural gas, petroleum, gold, aluminum were not forged and sulfur.

Puan expressed her appreciation for the UAE. "Thank you for being part of Indonesia's development," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

In addition to visiting the new building of the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Puan also took the time to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the UAE. In Indonesia, the UAE built an identical mosque as a gift, namely the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo.

Last year I visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo, Central Java, whose architecture was made identical to the mosque in Abu Dhabi. Now I am visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, which is very similar," said Puan when visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

"God willing, the splendor of the architecture of the largest mosque in Abu Dhabi is as big and as solid as the friendship between the two countries," he continued.

During a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Puan passed Jalan Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as well as reviewed the development of the construction of President Joko Widodo Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The name of the President of Indonesia, Jokowi, was immortalized as the name of the street in Abu Dhabi. The inauguration of President Joko Widodo Street was led directly by MBZ on October 19, 2020.

"On the way to Syeikh Zayed Grand Mosque, we passed Jalan Joko Widodo. Our head of state became the name of the street in Abu Dhabi which means that our country has a special relationship with the United Arab Emirates," said Puan.

Jalan Jokowi is located on one of the main roads that divide ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center) and the Embassy Area. The area is occupied by a number of diplomatic representative offices.

Street names in the area are usually geographical names, but since 10 years ago the names of the big UAE leaders have also begun to be used as street names. And as a tribute to friendly countries, said Puan, several names of other countries' leaders have also been used as street names in Abu Dhabi, including President Jokowi.

"This respect is also a big hope so that the friendship between Indonesia and the UAE is stronger and more useful," hoped Bung Karno's grandson.

Meanwhile, President Jokowi's Mosque was built by the UAE on an area of 3,766 m2 and is projected to accommodate 2,500 worshipers. The construction of the mosque, which is targeted to be completed in mid-October that year, is expected to be useful for Muslims in the UAE.

"Hopefully this mosque will become a home for Muslims here. Both for our citizens and for other citizens who visit Abu Dhabi," said Puan.

President Jokowi responded to the MBZ move. The government named the Jakarta-Cikampek II Elevated Toll Road or Japek Flyover Toll Road as the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Flyover or MBZ.

According to the Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Husin Bagis, the new building of the Indonesian Embassy, Wisma Duta Besar, Jalan Joko Widodo, and the construction of President Joko Widodo Mosque in Abu Dhabi are proof that the UAE and Indonesia have very close relations.

"We will oversee the cooperation between the two countries so that they are even closer," said Husin Bagis.

After returning from Abu Dhabi, Puan continued her series of accounts to Oman. He left for Muscat on July 6 yesterday.