TEMPO.CO, Bogor - President Joko Widodo has conferred upon King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipura (Star of the Republic of Indonesia) on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting at the Bogor Palace on Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
The National Armed Forces Commodore Suyono Thamrin said that the award was bestowed for the King’s contribution to the bilateral relations between the two countries. On the other hand, the award was given as a reciprocal gesture after President Joko Widodo was granted similar honor.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conferred the Star of the Order of King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Medal upon President Jokowi during his visit to the Al-Salam Diwan Malaki Palace in Jeddah on September 12, 2015.
On a separate occasion, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the Adipura Honor is awarded to King Salman due to his roles in improving Indonesia and Saudi Arabia ties. “The President was also given an award last year,” she said at the Bogor Palace.
ADITYA BUDIMAN