Indonesia’s president-elect vows enhanced ties with PH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (L) poses with Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto during a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace in Manila on September 20, 2024. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Indonesia’s President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, has reconfirmed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between his nation and the Philippines.

During a courtesy call with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace on Friday, Subianto expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received despite the short notice.

“I came here today to pay my respects because exactly one month from now, on the 20th of October, God willing, I will be inaugurated as President of the Republic of Indonesia. And perhaps it’s the Asian way, our custom, before we enter into a new position, we call on our friends,” Subianto said.

“And to reconfirm my commitment to strengthen the close relationship that we have traditionally between the Philippines and Indonesia, we have common roots—cultural, historical—and by the fact that we are very close neighbors, it behooves us, I think, to always support each other and to work together closely in all fields,” he continued.

Marcos said that Subianto’s visit to Manila signals the growing relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia, particularly in people-to-people, political, and diplomatic areas.

The two nations are set to celebrate their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in November.

Subianto, an former special forces commander, was formally confirmed as Indonesia’s next president last March.

He will take over outgoing President Joko Widodo.