TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto received a courtesy call from Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 23. Prabowo, the Indonesia President-elect, and Vivian discussed the potential for increased cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

In the closed-door meeting, Prabowo said he was pleased with the two countries' efforts to strengthen defense cooperation, ensure maritime security, and enhance military capacity and capabilities. This would strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to regional peace and stability.

“We hope that the partnership between the two countries will continue to develop, guided by the principles of mutual respect, trust, and mutual prosperity,” Prabowo said as quoted from a written statement.

The Defense Ministry’s statement did not specify what defense cooperation the two leaders discussed. However, Prabowo expressed hope that defense cooperation (DCA) would increase significantly and be mutually beneficial for Indonesia and Singapore.

Balakrishnan was accompanied by Singapore Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Mr. Kwok Fook Seng and Singapore Embassy Defense Attaché Colonel Melvin Gan during the visit. He congratulated Prabowo on his election victory on behalf of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Balakrishnan said that Prabowo has been a loyal friend of Singapore. “We look forward to Singapore-Indonesia cooperation in the field of renewable energy and the digital economy,” he said.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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