Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his exemplary leadership qualities and commitment to bolstering regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at a joint press conference following a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese highlighted Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and tackling regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring its significance as a key partner for Australia across various domains, including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically praised Prabowo’s initiatives in national development, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a reflection of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital enhancement. Drawing parallels between this program and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit, which marked Albanese’s first international trip following his re-election as Prime Minister, reaffirmed the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese playfully mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, showcasing a warm rapport between the two leaders. The visit also reiterated both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
