Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his strong leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Following a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese praised Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges, emphasizing Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the region as Australia’s key partner in various fields, including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese also highlighted Prabowo’s national development initiatives, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as evidence of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing a parallel between this program and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister and further strengthened the Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese humorously referenced Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, showcasing a friendly rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
