Saudi King, Crown Prince Wish President-Elect Prabowo Success
Jakarta. The leaders of Saudi Arabia have sent their best wishes to president-elect Prabowo Subianto who will begin governing the Muslim-majority Indonesia this October.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud recently congratulated Prabowo’s victory over a diplomatic cable. The same goes for the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The two messages also share a similar tone, both wishing Prabowo success and the Indonesian people “further progress and prosperity”.
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques [King Salman] praised the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which all seek to strengthen and develop in all fields,” the Saudi Press Agency wrote.
Indonesia-Saudi Arabia bilateral ties mainly revolve around hajj, among other things. Last October, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo managed to secure an additional 20,000 hajj pilgrims quota after he told the Saudi government that some Indonesians had to wait for decades. This means that Indonesia can send a total of 241,000 hajj pilgrims this year. The first wave of the hajj pilgrims is set to depart on May 12.
“I told the prime minister that the hajj queue was extremely long. Some people had to wait 47 years to go on hajj, so Indonesia needs an additional quota. Praise be to God. … Within less than 12 hours, [he] immediately gave Indonesia an additional quota of at least 20,000 hajj quota at least for the year 2024,” Jokowi said on the sidelines of an ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh.
In 2023, Indonesia-Saudi Arabia trade hit $6.1 billion, down from $7.5 billion recorded the previous year.
Indonesia does not have a trade pact with Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said that the lack of such a deal made Indonesia lose out on hajj catering opportunities.
Zulkifli claimed that despite sending hundreds of millions of hajj pilgrims, the food they consume uses ingredients imported from other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. Indonesia is currently exploring the possibility of striking a trade deal with the GCC of which Saudi Arabia is a member.
as a preferred
Related Articles
Prabowo Calls Meeting on Forest Fires as Haze Reaches Jakarta, Singapore
Prabowo summons senior officials to discuss forest fires as smoke reaches Jakarta and Malaysia pushes for regional action.
Books on Prabowo's Ideas Distributed Free at Jakarta Car-Free Day
Prabowo, who took office on Oct. 20, 2024, will mark the second anniversary of his presidency on Tuesday.
Two Years Into Prabowo Presidency, Infrastructure Takes Back Seat
Prabowo’s social spending push raises concerns over infrastructure delays and uneven growth beyond Java.
Prabowo, Egypt’s Sisi Talk Trade Pact for $5 Billion Commerce
Egypt's Sisi tells Prabowo that he wants to see annual trade to reach $5 billion by 2030 as Jakarta seeks tariff deals.
Egypt's Sisi Arrives in Indonesia for Talks With Prabowo
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrives in Indonesia for talks with Prabowo Subianto to strengthen strategic ties.
Prabowo to Launch Indonesia’s First Electric Vehicle Battery Export
Indonesia is set to export its first electric vehicle batteries as Prabowo launches a $10.2 billion industrial program.
Bahlil Signals More Ministries May Join New Downstream Coordination
Bahlil signals one or two more ministries could join the new downstream coordination, with the Industry Ministry among those considered.
Prabowo to Inaugurate Six New Military Commands on TNI Anniversary
Prabowo will inaugurate six new military commands and dozens of other units as Indonesia’s TNI marks its 81st anniversary.
Big Spending, Limited Revenue: Economists Question Prabowo’s Economic Strategy
Prabowo’s flagship programs face scrutiny as rising spending, weak job creation and deindustrialization threaten Indonesia’s growth.
Breaking: Prabowo Reportedly Set to Reshuffle Energy, Foreign Affairs Ministerial Posts
Prabowo reshuffles energy and foreign affairs portfolios as Bahlil and Sugiono are set for new roles in his seventh cabinet reshuffle.The Latest
UN Boss Wants to Fix Security Council as Indonesia Seeks Seat
Outgoing UN chief Guterres says the current permanent member setup at the Security Council fails to reflect today's realities.
Saudi Flagship Investment Conference Pushed to 2027 after Houthi Attacks
The annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), often dubbed "Davos in the Desert", was originally scheduled to take place from October 26-29
Government Sets Aside Rp 1.3 Quadrillion for Final-Quarter Spending
Government spending has reached Rp 2.66 quadrillion, equivalent to 69.2% of the full-year budget target of Rp 3.84 quadrillion.
Indonesia Probes 98 Corporate Wildfire Cases, Including Possible Foreign Links
Police investigate 98 corporate-related wildfire cases, including possible links to investors from neighboring countries.
Students Plan Jakarta Protests to Mark Two Years of Prabowo's Presidency
Police have advised the public to avoid areas around the House of Representatives complex, the National Monument and the State Palace.Most Popular
