President Prabowo Welcomes PM Albanese at Merdeka Palace
President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, welcomes Prime Minister Albanese in an honorary official welcoming ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Thursday (5/15). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto Thursday (5/15) welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an honorary official welcoming ceremony at the Merdeka Palace courtyard. The visit reaffirmed a close relationship between Indonesia and Australia.
This was PM Albanese’s first international state visit after being reelected and reappointed as Prime Minister of Australia on May 13, 2025. This visit symbolizes the strong commitment of the two countries to continue strengthening strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
A festive and solemn atmosphere welcomed the arrival of Albanese’s convoy at around 10:00 am at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. PM Albanese’s arrival was welcomed with a grand procession involving 17 military motorbike troops, the guard of honor, 70 horsemen troops, and 200 students waving the flags of Indonesia and Australia.
President Prabowo warmly welcomed PM Albanese on the west side of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. The official welcoming ceremony began with the reverberation of the Australian and Indonesian national anthems alternately and 19-cannon salute was fired. The two leaders then inspected the guard of honor and greeted the delegations from both countries. President Prabowo and PM Albanese then entered the Credentials Room of the Merdeka Palace for a group photo session and guest book signing.
The Indonesian delegation consisted of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono; Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto; Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi; Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian; Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto; Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid; Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia; Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir; Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya; and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono.
Following the procession, President Prabowo and PM Albanese held a tête-à-tête meeting in President Prabowo’s office. The meeting was followed by a bilateral meeting held in the Oval Room of the Merdeka Palace with delegations of both countries. In the meeting, both countries agreed to strengthen their commitment to strategic cooperation in various fields.
“I, once again, welcome this good opportunity to strengthen both countries’ engagement and cooperation in bilateral, regional, and even global contexts. Also, in all areas where we have achieved progress and good cooperation. We want to enhance this cooperation,” President Prabowo said in his introduction to the bilateral meeting.
After the bilateral meeting, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Albanese delivered a joint press statement, emphasizing the spirit of equal partnership and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia. The welcoming ceremony was closed with an official luncheon held at the State Palace, Jakarta. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (TCUD/MUR)
