S'pore honoured to have Indonesia's 'Bapak' President Prabowo as a friend, says President Tharman

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Jun. 16, during which they agreed that Singapore and Indonesia could achieve much by working together.

The meeting was held during Prabowo's first state visit on Jun. 16, and in conjunction with the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat.

"Singapore is honoured to have Bapak President Prabowo as a friend."

Prabowo received a ceremonial welcome at the Parliament House, where he called on President Tharman.

President Tharman hosted a state banquet in honour of Prabowo.

In a Facebook post on the same day, President Tharman said: "[Prabowo] knows Singapore well, starting from when he was here as a young boy, and through his many visits over the years."

"Singapore is honoured to have Bapak President Prabowo as a friend."

During the meeting, Prabowo was presented with a specially bred orchid. The Indonesian President requested that the orchid be named after his mother, Dora Sigar Soemitro.

"Could achieve much by working together"

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both leaders "reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations underpinned by decades of mutually beneficial cooperation, regular high-level exchanges, and a deep reservoir of trust and goodwill".

President Tharman and Prabowo also discussed areas in which both countries are strengthening cooperation, including in the green economy, data centres, education, and Indonesia’s move to strengthen its agricultural sector.

Both leaders agreed that Singapore and Indonesia, as partners and neighbours, "could achieve much by working together".

They also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including strengthening cooperation within Asean to navigate an increasingly complex global geopolitical environment.

Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Prabowo also met on Jun. 16 for the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat.

The Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat is a high-level meeting between the leaders of Singapore and Indonesia, convened annually since 2016, save for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year's retreat was the first for both PM Wong and Prabowo in their current capacities.

Top image via Prabowo Subianto/Facebook