Prabowo Receives Malaysian Deputy PM's Visit at Merdeka Palace

4 hours ago 1

April 22, 2025 | 05:43 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, April 22, 2025.

Ahmad Zahid arrived at the veranda of the Merdeka Palace at 3:42 p.m. local time, adorning a blue batik, shaking hands with the Indonesian leader while smiling.

“Old friend. Since our youth,” Prabowo spoke to the camera as he walked into the room.

Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, confirmed that the Malaysian leader would be visiting the Palace at 3:00 p.m.

“This is part of the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia, which has been ongoing since April 20, 2025,” Yusuf said in his written statement.

The day before, the Vice President of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, met with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

After the one-hour meeting, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, stated that the two leaders discussed strategic matters concerning the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in various sectors.

“The two discussed the strengthening of economic cooperation, especially the Batam-Johor regional cooperation,” Pratikno said on April 21, 2025, as quoted from Antara.

Aside from the economy, the issue of halal industry was also highlighted. Indonesia and Malaysia are the two countries with the largest Muslim populations in Southeast Asia. Both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in the sustainable development of the halal industry.

The issue of protecting Indonesian migrant workers was also discussed. Both countries are committed to intensifying the implementation of the one channel system. Pratikno mentioned that this system is to ensure more systematic and secure protection and deployment of Indonesian workers.

Malaysia and Indonesia also planned to strengthen collaboration related to the palm oil sector, as both countries are some of the world’s largest producers of the commodity.

The two leaders also spoke on education and tourism partnerships, in addition to maritime and agricultural cooperation, which included the protection of fishers at the bordering waters.

“Agricultural cooperation since the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia earlier said they are seeking to learn from us, since Indonesia's agricultural production is good,” he said.

Regarding the religious sector, Pratikno said that they discussed initiatives for cooperation in providing settlements for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, as well as strengthening moderate Islamic education between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia and Malaysia also reiterated their commitment to provide full support to the struggle of the Palestinian people.

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