Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (6/27/2025). The meeting resulted in a number of important agreements, ranging from accelerating bilateral cooperation to handling strategic issues such as borders and joint regional development. The meeting was attended by a number of high-ranking Indonesian officials, including Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Investment Rosan Roeslani, and Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid.
Similar Countries and Establishing Strategic Partnerships. Prabowo said that the meeting between himself and PM Anwar discussed, among other things, bilateral issues between the two countries, as well as ASEAN regional issues, and global issues. The two leaders also agreed to accelerate cooperation in various strategic sectors, ranging from economy, trade, science, education, to culture. One of the crucial issues discussed was the resolution of border issues where both countries have a strong commitment to resolving the issue in order to strengthen friendship and cooperation.
Support Palestinian Independence and a Peaceful Solution to the Middle East Conflict. Prabowo said that Indonesia and Malaysia have the same view on the importance of a peaceful resolution in the conflict area. Both countries also agreed to fully support Palestinian independence.
“Regarding Palestine, we continue to support Palestinian independence. Only a two-state solution can end the conflict. Indonesia and Malaysia see the need for global collective efforts to encourage peaceful resolution of conflicts,” said Prabowo.
On the other hand, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim also emphasized the importance of ASEAN’s role and bilateral cooperation in facing various global challenges. He expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s leadership in the region, including in responding to conflicts in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
“In dealing with, for example, tariff issues and issues of restraints on international relations, our strengths are domestic strength, bilateral strength, and ASEAN strength. And we must foster this with the spirit that exists among the leaders,” said PM Anwar.
Resolve Border Issues and Regional Collaboration. Border issues are also one of the main focuses of the meeting between the two countries. RI-Malaysia are committed to resolving border issues peacefully and quickly in order to strengthen bilateral relations. Anwar said that resolving maritime and border issues would open up opportunities for broader regional collaboration, including within the ASEAN framework.
Solution for Ambalat. Specifically, for the Ambalat region, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to implement a joint development approach as a short-term solution while waiting for legal settlement.
“For example, the Ambalat problem, we agreed that while we resolve legal issues, we want to start with economic cooperation that we call joint development. Whatever we find at sea, we will exploit it together,” Prabowo explained. Meanwhile, Anwar supports this approach, emphasizing that economic cooperation does not need to be delayed by a long legal process.
Maximize Trade & Investment Potential. In addition, RI-Malaysia agree that the trade and investment potential between Indonesia and Malaysia has not been optimally developed. “Our investment and trade potential is very large, but it has not been maximized. This is detrimental considering our close relationship,” Anwar said.
To that end, they are committed to taking concrete steps to increase economic cooperation, including in the trade, investment, education, and cultural sectors.
June 27, 2025, CNBC Indonesia
(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250627204818-4-644491/5-poin-penting-pertemuan-prabowo-dan-pm-malaysia-anwar-ibrahim)