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. During a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace following a bilateral meeting, Albanese spoke highly of Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s pivotal role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific as a key partner for Australia across various sectors including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically praised 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 for growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
The visit marked Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister and 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 meeting highlighted both nations’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in areas such as education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.