The meeting between Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto took place yesterday at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta for three days.
The talks between the two leaders reflected the informal closeness and aimed to strengthen regional solidarity and friendly relations between the two countries.
Ahmad Zahid and Prabowo discussed the challenges of US President (US) Donald Trump's trade tariffs and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which requires a high fighting spirit from regional countries to be resolved immediately.
The Indonesian Presidential Secretary informed that Prabowo and Ahmad Zahid remain committed to continuing to maintain harmonious relations between the two countries and strive to safeguard the interests of regional stability.
Both parties cooperate in the halal industry by recognizing the halal certification of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for Indonesian exports.
Ahmad Zahid and Prabowo came up with the creative idea of establishing the ASEAN Halal Council to advance the halal industry in Southeast Asia.
Ahmad Zahid also met with Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to discuss the issues of Indonesian manpower, regional stability, fishermen and atrocities in Palestine.
The two prominent political figures agreed that fishermen were warned not to enter Indonesian and Malaysian waters based on the 2012 memorandum of understanding.
Higher education cooperation, particularly Technical and Vocational Training (TVET), was strengthened through the exchange of three Letters of Intent (LOIs) between the University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), the Malaysian Global Education Service (EMGS), the Jakarta and West Sumatra authorities and the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah.
Ahmad Zahid's visit to Jakarta, Indonesia is important to strengthen economic ties, weather global uncertainty and highlight Malaysia's leadership as the ASEAN 2025 Chair.
