Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, currently on an official visit to Washington, DC, posted a video of his phone call with US President-Elect Donald Trump, congratulating him on his reelection. In the video, Prabowo, a former special forces commander, expressed his willingness to fly to personally congratulate Trump, addressing him as 'sir' multiple times.
During the conversation, Trump praised Prabowo for his leadership in Indonesia, commending him for doing a 'great job' and noting his proficiency in English. Prabowo attributed his language skills to his American training, received during his officer training in the United States in the 1980s.
The White House confirmed that Prabowo will meet with President Joe Biden to celebrate the 75th anniversary of US-Indonesian relations and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Prabowo's visit to the US follows his recent trip to Beijing, where he held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and signed bilateral agreements worth $10 billion.
Prabowo's election as the leader of Indonesia, a nation of 280 million people, marks a significant transformation for the former military commander. Known for his military background and fiery speeches, Prabowo served as defense minister under his predecessor Joko Widodo and has embarked on a five-nation tour that includes stops in Peru, Brazil, and the UK.
Despite a controversial past that led to a temporary ban from the US over alleged human rights violations, Prabowo's election underscores Indonesia's evolving political landscape and its role in global affairs. As he continues his diplomatic engagements, Prabowo aims to position Indonesia as a self-sufficient and influential player in the Asia-Pacific region.
