FM Sugiono calls for regular Indonesia–Malaysia Consultation Forum

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed hope that the Indonesia–Malaysia Annual Consultation will return to being a regular bilateral forum, following its revival after a seven-year hiatus.

The 13th Indonesia–Malaysia Annual Consultation was held as President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a working visit at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 29. The previous consultation took place in 2017 in Kuching, Sarawak.

“The two leaders met as part of a bilateral mechanism between Indonesia and Malaysia, known as the Annual Consultation, which last convened in Kuching in 2017,” Sugiono said during a press conference at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday

The Foreign Minister underlined that the consultation mechanism plays a vital role not only in updating strategic issues but also strengthening ties between the two nations’ leaders.

According to Sugiono, the consultation had been suspended due to scheduling constraints on both sides.

“It may have been due to timing—the leaders’ schedules simply didn’t align. This is the first opportunity in years that has allowed the meeting to happen,” he remarked.

He expressed optimism that such high-level meetings would be held more consistently in the future, noting the growing number of regional and global challenges that require close cooperation between neighboring countries.

“I believe this is an appropriate mechanism, besides also strengthening bilateral relations,” he added.

Previously, during the 12th Annual Consultation in 2017, then-President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohamad Najib discussed a range of issues, including economic cooperation, protection of Indonesian citizens and migrant workers, border matters, and defense and security.

Source link