Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his strong leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a press conference held after a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese commended Prabowo for his vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges, highlighting Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the region as Australia’s key partner in various aspects including economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically praised Prabowo’s efforts in national development, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as evidence of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing parallels between this initiative and the region’s growth potential through free trade and stability, Albanese applauded Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip after being re-elected as Prime Minister, emphasizing the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese jokingly mentioned 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.
