September 6, 2026 | 04:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached out by phone to the seventh President of Indonesia, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who was visiting Penang, Malaysia, to attend a peace dialogue.
PM Anwar offered his apologies for being unable to welcome and meet Jokowi in person due to prior engagements with the Malaysian public.
"This morning, before heading to MAHA 2026, I took the opportunity to contact an old friend who is also the former President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, who is currently in Penang to attend the Penang Peace Dialogue," Anwar stated in a message quoted in Penang on Sunday.
Anwar conveyed his regrets for not greeting Jokowi personally in Penang, citing a prior appointment with farmers, livestock breeders, planters, and agricultural communities at MAHA 2026.
"We exchanged news in a warm and friendly atmosphere, while I also expressed solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Indonesia following the volcanic disaster and the ongoing haze challenges they are facing," said Anwar.
Anwar remarked that Malaysia and Indonesia are more than neighboring states, describing them as kindred nations bound by shared history, culture, and deep fraternal ties.
He emphasized that while public office and political titles may change, mutual respect and friendship remain timeless.
"Insya-Allah, this bond will continue to be nurtured for the well-being of the people of both nations, as well as for the peace and prosperity of the region," Anwar added.
Indonesia's seventh president, Joko Widodo, was in Penang from Saturday, September 5, through Sunday to deliver a keynote address at the Penang Peace Dialogue. The event aims to highlight ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
Read: Prabowo, US Ambassador to ASEAN Discuss Indonesia-US Cooperation
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