TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, on Thursday, November 30, 2023. The two leaders discussed various topics related to mutual interests, including bilateral ties in defense and national security.

“We hope that the relationship between the two countries will remain close and intact forever, Insha Allah,” Anwar said on his official account on social media site X (formerly Twitter).

The Pakatan Harapan leader also referred to Prabowo's visit as an "honorary visit".

Prabowo has not yet issued an official statement on the meeting. His spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, has not yet responded to Tempo's request for comment on the potential for new defense cooperation between the two countries.

Prabowo, who is currently running for president in the 2024 election, previously held a bilateral meeting with Anwar on May 23, 2023, on the sidelines of the 16th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 in Malaysia. The talks were related to mutual interest, including bilateral relations between the two countries.

They also explored new opportunities for cooperation in fields, such as digital trade, green initiatives, halal food, and healthy food industries.

At the same event, Prabowo witnessed the signing of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including between Indonesia’s aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and AIROD Sdn. Bhd. for the marketing and sale of PTDI's N219 aircraft, and between PTDI and SME Aerospace Sdn. Bhd. (SMEA) for aerostructures.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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