Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace after a bilateral meeting, Albanese commended Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s vital role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the country as a key partner for Australia in various areas such as economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Specifically, Albanese applauded Prabowo’s efforts in national development, including initiatives like 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 for growth through free trade and stability, Albanese praised Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
Albanese’s visit, his first international trip since re-election, emphasized the strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese playfully mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, demonstrating a warm rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and promoting people-to-people connections.
