Anwar looks to empower arts, culture along with boosting bilateral ties with Indonesia

JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia’s relations can be further expanded in many areas including in trade, and economy as well as empowering arts and culture, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said while Malaysia aims to boost the economy and bilateral ties during the 43rd Asean Summit, he said that the promotion of arts and culture would not be left behind.

“Under the Madani concept, while discussing boosting diplomatic cooperation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, I managed to take some time to meet with various people including investors and entrepreneurs.

“I also got the chance to meet with celebrities and influencers here.

“I also manage to learn from their experiences. Our discussions not only touched on bilateral ties, but also it taught me the meaning of empowering arts and culture,” he told reporters after attending the “Santai Bersama Anwar” event on Monday night (Sept 4).

At the event, the Prime Minister met with Indonesian and Malaysian influencers and celebrities at the Four Seasons Hotel, in Jakarta.

Among the personalities are entrepreneur-celebrities including Nur Fazura, Mulan Jameelah, Kartika Putri, and Melly Goeslow.

In a separate statement, Anwar said that Malaysia’s participation in the 43rd Asean summit will further strengthen the principle of Asean’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific region to inclusivity and openness in its relations with all of its partners.

The Prime Minister also hoped that the platform would foster unity and stability in the region.

“I hope this platform can foster unity, security, and stability while addressing the challenges and diversity of the evolving regional geopolitics,” he said.

“In addition to official programmes and events, I will also meet with friends in Indonesia through the ‘Program Temu Anwar,’ which is being held outside of Malaysia for the first time,” said Anwar

“May everything planned proceed smoothly, God willing,” added the Prime Minister.

Earlier, Anwar attended a pre-council meeting ahead of the summit before starting the first in a series of programmes involving the Malaysian diaspora and Indonesians.

Anwar arrived here today at 3.28pm (local time) to lead the Malaysian delegation to the 43rd Asean Summit and Related Summits beginning Tuesday (Sept 4).

He was accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by Indonesian Communication and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who are part of the Malaysian delegation were also present along with Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin.

The summit, which will be held until Thursday, is the second this year after the 42nd Asean Summit in Labuan Bajo.

This will be Anwar’s first summit with the seven Asean dialogue partners Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the United States and Canada.

Anwar is scheduled to hold 11 bilateral meetings during the summit, including with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; United States Vice-President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister will participate in the summit’s opening ceremony and proceed to the Asean-Indo Pacific Forum, and later meet with the Malaysian diaspora during the “Temu Anwar” talk, the first in the series held outside of Malaysia.

He will then partake in six summits on Wednesday – the Asean-China, Asean-South Korea, Asean-Japan, Asean Plus Three, Asean-US and Asean-Canada meets, during the last of which the Asean-Canada Strategic Partnership will be launched.

Four summits will be held on Thursday – the Asean-India, East Asia, Asean-Australia and Asean-United Nations meet.