Indonesian President Prabowo to make first state visit to Singapore on June 16
Prabowo, who was inaugurated in October last year, will receive a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
'President Tharman will host a state banquet in honour of President Prabowo,' the MFA said in a statement on Sunday.
Prabowo will also meet Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong for the Singapore–Indonesia Leaders' Retreat, the first between the two leaders in their current capacities.
'As the highest-level platform between the two countries, the annual Leaders' Retreat is a testament to the excellent bilateral relations and strong interpersonal ties between our leaders,' the MFA said.
The ministry stated that during the meeting, the leaders will review the strong and substantive cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia, and chart the way forward.
Prabowo will be accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto; Coordinating Minister for People's Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar; Foreign Affairs Minister, Sugiono; Home Affairs Minister, Tito Karnavian; and Law Minister, Supratman Andi Agtas.
Also joining the delegation are Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia; Housing and Settlement Minister, Maruarar Sirait; Agriculture Minister, Andi Amran Sulaiman; Investment and Downstream Industry Minister, Rosan Roeslani; and Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Trump's visit to the East Asia Summit must anchor a new strategic stability with Asean — Phar Kim Beng
AUGUST 3 — President Donald Trump's expected appearance at the East Asia Summit (EAS) should not be misread as a mere diplomatic formality or ceremonial visit. It should be welcomed for what it could become: a turning point in US-Asean relations that restores a degree of strategic stability between Washington, Beijing, and the eleven member states of Asean. At a time when the region stands delicately between escalating rivalry and renewed economic convergence, Trump's personal participation — after years of inconsistent US attendance at high-level Asean meetings — signals a potential inflection. This year's summit carries additional weight. It coincides with Asean's historic expansion to include Timor-Leste, the first new member in over two decades. The inclusion of Timor-Leste symbolizes Asean's enduring appeal and the bloc's ability to renew itself from within. It also strengthens Asean's moral and geopolitical identity as a community committed to democratic values, regional inclusivity, and strategic neutrality. The United States should view this enlargement as an opening to further anchor its presence — economically, diplomatically, and institutionally — in a wider South-east Asia that now stretches from the Mekong to the eastern edge of the archipelagic Pacific. Contrary to the binary framing of US-China competition, the East Asia Summit represents a rare multilateral setting where both great powers meet under Asean's chairmanship and agenda-setting authority. This alone is a feature — not a flaw — of Asean centrality. If President Trump recognizes the value of this platform, and builds upon it, the EAS could serve as a channel for managed competition and economic complementarity rather than open hostility. More significantly, Trump's visit coincides with an encouraging trend: the reduction of tariffs between the US and several Asean member states, effective August 1. Malaysia, for instance, now benefits from a lowered tariff of 19 per cent on select categories of exports. While these cuts are modest in scope, they offer a vital foundation upon which the US can pivot from protectionist reflexes toward strategic economic engagement. If extended across multiple sectors and scaled throughout South-east Asia, these adjustments can recalibrate America's economic presence in the region — especially when paired with Asean's long-term focus on industrial upgrading and regional integration. This moment must be seized. Asean is no longer merely a low-cost assembly zone. It is home to ambitious national frameworks such as Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), Indonesia's downstream resource policies and Vietnam's digital economy transformation. All of which can sour the Asean Digital Economic Framework (DEFA) too. These initiatives aim to lift Asean into the higher rungs of global value chains. The United States — long seeking to reduce overdependence on China — can find in Asean the next frontier of secure, rules-based economic partnerships. But any trade recalibration must be anchored by political assurance. The US-Asean Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, elevated in recent years, still requires substantive backing. This is where President Trump's engagement becomes pivotal. He must not only reassure the region of America's long-term presence but also avoid zero-sum demands that force Asean into hard alignments. Asean's strategic doctrine is one of balance, not bandwagoning. Its preference is for multipolar cooperation, not bipolar confrontation. President Donald Trump's expected appearance at the East Asia Summit (EAS) should not be misread as a mere diplomatic formality or ceremonial visit. — AFP pic In this context, Trump would do well to understand the nuanced achievements of the recent Asean-GCC Summit, further expanded with China's participation in the Asean-GCC-China Summit. These gatherings were more than diplomatic rituals; they were civilisational overtures and dynamic dialogues too. They reflected Asean's growing ambition to serve as a connector — not just of markets, but of worldviews. Malaysia's leadership of Asean in 2025 has affirmed this ethos, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offering a values-based diplomacy that draws on dialogue and defensive diplomacy. Trump's visit should reinforce, not disrupt, this strategic arc. It is not enough to deploy aircraft carriers or frame South-east Asia through a military lens. The region requires a US presence that is economically enabling, diplomatically respectful, and civilisationally attuned. Tariff reductions are a step in the right direction. A comprehensive US-Asean trade framework would be a leap forward. Beyond trade, Washington must also recognise Asean's role in conflict management and peace-making. Malaysia's recent mediation in the Cambodia-Thailand border crisis is a case in point. Asean's diplomatic bandwidth is growing, and the US can support — not override — this capacity by funding Track II dialogues, technology transfer in humanitarian response, and confidence-building among rival claimants in the East and South China Sea. In conclusion, President Trump's presence at the East Asia Summit must be more than symbolic. It must be strategic. His administration should embrace the summit as a platform to reset economic ties, stabilize regional diplomacy, and affirm Asean's agency. The future of East Asia will not be shaped by bilateral muscle-flexing alone, but by the kind of multilateral sensibility that the EAS — anchored by Asean — has nurtured for nearly two decades. If the US is serious about restoring its relevance in South-east Asia, then the EAS must be the starting point; although a swifter concern with the starvation of Gaza. This issue is no less critical as more and more member states of European Union has recognised Palestine as a separate state. In order to justifiably pressure Israel into allowing more humanitarian aid to go into the war-stricken death zone. At any rate, tariff diplomacy, coupled with high-level trust-building, must form the substance of America's return to East Asia if all things fail to make any progress. *Phar Kim Beng PhD is Professor of Asean Studies, International Islamic University of Malaysia and Director of Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies (IINTAS). **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Every inch of Sabah will be defended': Anwar denies deal over disputed Sulawesi waters
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 3 — Sabah's rights will be protected in ongoing negotiations with Indonesia over the disputed Ambalat maritime zone, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar dismissed claims that he had ignored the state's sovereignty over the oil-rich region in the Sulawesi Sea and said any agreement must involve both the Sabah state government and the state legislative assembly. 'This is a border issue between two countries, and Indonesia is an ally. President Prabowo is my personal friend, a family friend. I want it to be a good relationship. 'We talked about Sulawesi, and I wanted Hajiji to hear for himself, and give his view. We will discuss perimeters, following maritime laws, following history. It must be approved by the state government and subsequently the state legislative assembly. 'We will negotiate it properly, without surrendering. This was all in the meeting, not just under-the-table talk,' he said here today. Anwar said the matter was recently raised in Parliament, where it was suggested the dispute had already been settled — a claim he denied. 'We will protect every inch of Sabah. I will defend this principle. I chose to answer this now because we are defending Sabah on behalf of the federal government,' he said. Located in the Sulawesi Sea off Sabah's east coast near Tawau, the Ambalat Block has long been claimed by both Malaysia and Indonesia, primarily due to its oil and gas potential. Tensions flared in the early 2000s when both countries issued overlapping exploration concessions — Indonesia to ENI and Unocal, and Malaysia, via Petronas, to Shell.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
"Colorful Guizhou" Shines in Kuala Lumpur – Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference Held Successfully in Malaysia
"Colorful Guizhou" Shines in Kuala Lumpur – Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference Held Successfully in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 August 2025 - In an effort to deepen cultural and tourism cooperation between China and Malaysia and further expand into the Southeast Asian market, the Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference, hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou Province, was successfully held in Kuala Lumpur on August event brought together representatives from Tourism Malaysia, and the Selangor Tourism, leading Malaysian tourism industry stakeholders, and prominent members of the local media. The gathering served as a strong platform to foster future collaboration between Guizhou and Malaysia in the fields of culture and her opening remarks, Ms. Wang Lin, Director of the Publicity and Promotion Division of Guizhou's Department of Culture and Tourism, delivered a vivid introduction to Guizhou's diverse tourism offerings. From the majestic Huangguoshu Waterfall, to the emerald landscapes of Xiaoqikong in Libo—dubbed "The Green Jewel on the Earth's Waistline", to the intricate silver craftsmanship of the Miao ethnic group, and the ethereal Grand Songs of the Dong people, Guizhou's natural beauty and cultural richness were on full Wang also highlighted Guizhou's popular summer destinations such as "Refreshing Guiyang" and "China's Cool Capital – Liupanshui", as well as signature cultural phenomena like the "Village Super League" (Cun Chao) and "Village Basketball Association" (Cun BA). She noted that these grassroots sports events have attracted international attention and reflect the province's vibrancy and innovative spirit. Ms. Wang expressed strong hopes for increasing tourism exchanges and welcomed more Malaysian visitors to explore Guizhou's unique Wen Weiya, Director of the Guizhou International Mountain Tourism Development Center, introduced the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA)—a global organization headquartered in Guizhou committed to promoting sustainable mountain tourism development. She showcased mountain-rich regions such as Qianxinan Prefecture, and extended an open invitation to Malaysian tourism professionals to attend the International Mountain and Outdoor Tourism Conference in Guizhou later this the Selangor Tourism, Mr. Mohd Haffez Hanip, Manager of Industry Development, stakeholder and Government Affairs, praised Guizhou's breathtaking landscapes and cultural depth. "Guizhou's scenery is truly mesmerizing, offering world-class tourism experiences. Selangor looks forward to forging stronger ties with Guizhou, jointly exploring new market opportunities and advancing the prosperity of both regions' tourism sectors," he conference also featured remarks and discussions from other distinguished guests, including Mr. Khan Keng Yi, Deputy President of the Malaysia-China Folklore Culture Tourism Association, and Datuk Ge Yamei, CEO of Mango Media Malaysia. Participants shared insights on topics such as market collaboration, tourism product development, and cross-border promotional Guizhou delegation actively engaged with local travel agencies and media representatives, introducing the province's tourism highlights, modern transportation infrastructure, and recent cultural-tourism integration efforts. Discussions also explored opportunities for collaboration in areas such as sports tourism (Cun Chao & Cun BA), educational exchange, and tea culture promotion, laying the groundwork for future joint initiatives.A spokesperson from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou noted, "This promotional event marks a pivotal moment in strengthening ties between 'Colorful Guizhou' and Malaysia's tourism industry. We value the deepening friendship and the tremendous potential for mutual growth and cooperation."As part of its broader Southeast Asia engagement strategy, the Guizhou delegation will continue its outreach efforts at the MITM Travel Fair 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur from August 1–3. Throughout the exhibition, the delegation will showcase the many facets of "Colorful Guizhou" through immersive displays and interactive sessions, extending a warm invitation to Malaysian travelers to experience Guizhou's cool climate, dramatic landscapes, and rich ethnic heritages. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
