Malaysia and Indonesia resume annual consultation after seven-year hiatus

THE 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation commenced in Jakarta today, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring countries after a seven-year pause.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at Istana Merdeka in Central Jakarta, where he was warmly received by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The two leaders then held a closed-door meeting to discuss a broad range of bilateral matters.

“Pray that this working visit brings meaningful benefits to the people of both our friendly nations,” Anwar wrote in a Facebook post.

This edition of the consultation follows the last session held on 22 November 2017 in Kuching, Sarawak. Today’s bilateral talks will be followed by an official luncheon, the signing of four memorandums of understanding (MoUs), and a joint press conference.

As part of his two-day working visit, Anwar is also scheduled to visit the ASEAN Secretariat in South Jakarta. There, at the invitation of ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, he will deliver a keynote address outlining Malaysia’s vision as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

Anwar is accompanied on the visit by several senior Malaysian leaders, including Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

Earlier today, Anwar chaired a pre-consultation meeting with the Sarawak Premier and Sabah Chief Minister at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Jakarta, beginning at 8.00am local time.

The session, held to coordinate Malaysia’s positions and priorities ahead of the official consultation, preceded the main engagement with President Prabowo.

The Prime Minister also met with members of the Association of Malaysian Indonesian Journalists (ISWAMI) and editors-in-chief from leading Indonesian media organisations.

Addressing the media, Anwar discussed regional stability, noting that his diplomatic efforts have focused on resolving recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

“I am focusing on solutions, and that is what I conveyed to both China and the United States,” Anwar said.

“I made calls to both (the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand) on that day (24 July 2025), and a ceasefire was agreed. They needed time to withdraw troops, but the following day (25 July), conflict erupted again,” he added during his engagement with ISWAMI and Indonesian media executives.

The Prime Minister was responding to speculation that the ceasefire had resulted from pressure by US President Donald Trump over trade tariff issues involving Cambodia and Thailand.

The ceasefire agreement came after a special meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, chaired by Anwar and attended by Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The meeting drew global media attention, including strong coverage from the Indonesian press, which praised Anwar’s role in brokering the temporary truce. - July 29, 2025