Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, commending his leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference held at the Merdeka Palace after a bilateral meeting, Albanese expressed his admiration for Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in advancing peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring its significance as Australia’s essential partner across various sectors, including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically highlighted and lauded Prabowo’s efforts in national development, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a clear demonstration of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital enhancement. Drawing parallels between this initiative and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit, marking Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister, further cemented the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese jokingly mentioned Prabowo’s passion for horseback riding, showcasing a friendly rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ mutual commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, especially in areas such as education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and promoting people-to-people connections.
