Indonesia's presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto, has garnered praise from US President Donald Trump at the Informal Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a significant development in their bilateral relationship.
According to sources close to the meeting, Trump complimented Prabowo on his "excellent" work in resolving conflicts and promoting stability in the region. This endorsement is seen as a notable achievement for Prabowo, who faces stiff competition from incumbent President Joko Widodo in the upcoming presidential election.
The US president's statement has been interpreted as a nod to Prabowo's pragmatic approach to conflict resolution, which aligns with Trump's own "America First" policy. By extension, this development suggests that Indonesia's foreign policy under Prabowo may take on a more assertive tone, potentially altering the country's stance on regional issues.
While some analysts have questioned the sincerity of Trump's endorsement, given his history of making provocative statements about Southeast Asia, others see it as a genuine gesture of support. Nevertheless, this development highlights the complex dynamics at play in Indonesia's presidential election and Prabowo's quest to win over key international allies.
According to sources close to the meeting, Trump complimented Prabowo on his "excellent" work in resolving conflicts and promoting stability in the region. This endorsement is seen as a notable achievement for Prabowo, who faces stiff competition from incumbent President Joko Widodo in the upcoming presidential election.
The US president's statement has been interpreted as a nod to Prabowo's pragmatic approach to conflict resolution, which aligns with Trump's own "America First" policy. By extension, this development suggests that Indonesia's foreign policy under Prabowo may take on a more assertive tone, potentially altering the country's stance on regional issues.
While some analysts have questioned the sincerity of Trump's endorsement, given his history of making provocative statements about Southeast Asia, others see it as a genuine gesture of support. Nevertheless, this development highlights the complex dynamics at play in Indonesia's presidential election and Prabowo's quest to win over key international allies.