President Prabowo Affirms Commitment to Strengthening Cooperation with Singapore at Leaders’ Retreat

President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong hold a joint press conference following the Leaders’ Retreat held in the Parliament House of Singapore, on Monday (06/16). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto expressed his appreciation and respect for the deep relations between Indonesia and Singapore during his first Leader’s Retreat with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, at the Parliament House of Singapore on Monday (06/16).

In the joint press conference following the meeting, President Prabowo showed his gratitude for the warm welcome of the Government of Singapore, including the presence of PM Wong at the airport. “I think this shows the high value attached to the relationship and friendship between Singapore and Indonesia,” said President Prabowo, adding that their meeting took place in a productive and meaningful manner, including the honor of naming an orchid presented by Singapore.

“I am very touched that I have been given the honor of naming a unique orchid. I was given the honor of proposing a name [for the orchid], and I proposed my mother’s name to give respect to her for having raised me, for having raised maybe a difficult boy in his younger days, but finally he became the President of Indonesia,” said the President.

Reflecting on his childhood in Singapore, President Prabowo expressed his admiration for the advanced development of the island nation since its establishment. He said that Singapore has implemented many good practices that Indonesia can adopt.

Parts of Singapore’s policies which can serve as the inspiration for Indonesia, the President continued, are its policies on public housing and the sovereign wealth fund. The Head of State also mentioned the establishment of Danantara, Indonesia’s national investment management institution, that was initiated several months ago.

“Another achievement of Singapore that we copy with pride is your sovereign wealth fund, Temasek. Few months ago, we started our own sovereign wealth fund which we call Danantara. Danantara means the future energy of Indonesia. So, actually we are doing this for the future generations of Indonesia,” said President Prabowo. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RD/TM)