Prabowo’s State Visit to Malaysia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and ASEAN Cooperation

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming state visit to Malaysia next week is seen as a significant step in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations, according to Indonesia’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Hermono.
The visit will focus on strengthening all aspects of the diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, two key players in the ASEAN region. It is expected to help address several outstanding issues, such as border disputes, which will be a priority during discussions.
Ambassador Hermono emphasized that the visit will also contribute to the broader goals of ASEAN, particularly in maintaining ASEAN Centrality, which is essential to safeguarding the stability and security of the region.
President Prabowo, who recently concluded a visit to India, confirmed through his social media on January 23 that he will be visiting Malaysia at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim. He reiterated that strengthening cooperation with neighboring nations is a priority for Indonesia’s regional ambitions.
Prabowo will be accompanied by several Indonesian Cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, and Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, among others.
This state visit follows a one-day working visit in January 2024, during which President Prabowo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed Indonesia’s support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
Both countries have a long-standing diplomatic relationship, with Malaysia having served as ASEAN Chair on five occasions, including the current year. The strong ties are further reinforced by trade, as Indonesia remains one of Malaysia’s top trading partners.
Political analysts, including Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, highlight the growing strategic partnership between Prabowo and Anwar, noting the potential for a “new golden age” in Indonesia-Malaysia relations. Given the increasingly complex regional and global dynamics, the partnership between these two ASEAN founding nations is seen as pivotal for regional stability.
The visit is expected to be a milestone in enhancing cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia, ensuring that both nations continue to play a critical role in ASEAN’s development and security.