Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect, recently embarked on a rapid tour of five Southeast Asian countries in just three days. His objective was to meet with national leaders in order to enhance bilateral relations and discuss strategic issues.
The journey began in Brunei Darussalam, where Prabowo met with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman on Thursday, September 5. The discussion primarily centered on defense cooperation and education. Prabowo extended an invitation to Bruneian military officers to participate in master’s programs at the Republic of Indonesia Defence University (RIDU).
Following his time in Brunei, Prabowo proceeded to Laos, arriving to meet with President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Friday, September 6. Their conversations focused on exploring mutual benefits in defense and promoting regional stability within ASEAN.
Next, Prabowo traveled to Cambodia, where he engaged with Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet to emphasize the importance of seeking new opportunities for collaborative efforts to ensure robust defense partnerships.
The journey then took Prabowo to Thailand, where he attended a dinner hosted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter, newly elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. During the event, Prabowo expressed gratitude for the familial friendship and bond between their families.
The final leg of the tour brought Prabowo to Malaysia, where he met with Sultan Ibrahim at the Istana Negara. Discussions revolved around defense cooperation and strategic matters, with Prabowo underscoring the significance of the strong relationship between the two countries and his commitment to enhancing it.
The visit to Malaysia concluded with a meeting between Prabowo and his close ally, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. They deliberated on bilateral defense cooperation and regional relations, with Prabowo reiterating Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense’s dedication to fostering a harmonious and mutually beneficial defense relationship between the two nations.
After completing his diplomatic engagements in the five Southeast Asian countries, Prabowo returned to Indonesia on Saturday evening, marking the end of his whirlwind tour.