TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto for his preliminary lead in the Indonesian elections, as indicated by exit polls.

"Mr. Lee and Mr. Prabowo discussed the excellent state of bilateral relations", the Prime Minister's press secretary Chang Li Lin told the media on Thursday, February 15.

Both men also agreed on the importance of identifying new and mutually beneficial areas of cooperation, Chang added.

The "quick-count" result of the February 14 presidential elections showed Prabowo leading against contenders Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. Prabowo will succeed Joko Widodo or Jokowi after two office terms as Indonesia's president.

PM Lee also phoned Widodo to congratulate him on a smooth and successful election, Chang said.

The United States also congratulated Indonesia for its election and looks forward to cooperating with its elected president and legislative body, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press release on Wednesday, February. 14.

"We congratulate the Indonesian people for their robust turnout in today’s election. We look forward to the General Election Commission's announcement of the official election results," he said in the release.

Despite holding a victory speech based on the quick count results on Wednesday evening, the United States excluded Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming in its release, as it awaited an official announcement from the General Election Commission or KPU.

"We look forward to working with Indonesia’s next President-elect and government, as well as the legislative houses, on the shared priorities that benefit the people of both our countries."

CHANNEL NEWS ASIA | NABIILA

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