Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership qualities and dedication to regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Albanese commended Prabowo’s vision in strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges during a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting its significance as Australia’s key partner in economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically lauded Prabowo’s national development efforts, such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing parallels between this initiative and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese praised Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
During his first international trip since re-election, Albanese’s visit underscored the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese humorously mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, showcasing a warm exchange between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, especially in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
