President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, warmly welcomed Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, during his visit to Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The meeting was a significant moment in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, which have long enjoyed a close relationship.
In his remarks, President Prabowo expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Wong’s visit and highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore, both bilaterally and through the ASEAN framework. He noted that the two countries share similar views on key regional issues, particularly regarding peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
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President Prabowo also emphasized the potential for further collaboration in several strategic areas of mutual interest, including defense, law, trade, investment, food and energy security, and human resource development. He stressed the importance of maintaining a positive momentum for the benefit of both nations.
Prime Minister Wong’s visit featured in-depth and productive discussions with his delegation. President Prabowo described the talks as beneficial in exploring new avenues for future cooperation. As a commitment to this strong partnership, President Prabowo confirmed that he would attend the leaders' retreat in Singapore next year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from President Prabowo and the Indonesian government. He also noted the special significance of this visit, as it marked his first official state visit under President Prabowo’s leadership.
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Before the meeting, an official welcoming ceremony was held with full honors. Prime Minister Wong arrived at Merdeka Palace from Monas Square, escorted by a cavalry unit and marching band. Upon his arrival, he was greeted directly by President Prabowo. The ceremony continued with the playing of the national anthems of both countries—Majulah Singapura and Indonesia Raya—accompanied by a 19-gun salute, followed by an inspection of the honor guard by both leaders.
This visit signifies a new chapter in Indonesia-Singapore bilateral relations, reaffirming both leaders' commitment to deepen cooperation for the region's stability and progress.
