MALAYSIA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto expressed his deep emotional ties with Malaysia, attributing his strong connection to the country to the time he spent during his childhood there.Speaking at a press conference after a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on January 27, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Prabowo shared that his family had lived and studied in Malaysia, forming close relationships with key figures in Malaysia’s history, such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak.

Prabowo noted that his family’s longstanding emotional bond with Malaysia went beyond business and politics.

“My family was very close to the founding fathers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Razak. We have a deep emotional connection with Malaysia,” he said.

This connection was further emphasized by his longstanding friendship with Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVII Sultan Ibrahim, which dates back 45 years, starting from when both studied together in the United States.

The President recounted that his relationship with Sultan Ibrahim began in their youth when they attended school in America, stating, “Our relationship is very old, probably 45 years. We both studied together in the U.S. when I was still very young and thin.” This bond has remained strong over the decades, reflecting the deep ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Although Prabowo frequently visits Malaysia, he acknowledged that his current role as President makes travel more difficult due to heightened security protocols.

“After becoming president, it’s not as easy to visit Malaysia as it used to be. There are now many protocols and escorts. I apologize if this causes inconvenience for the staff,” he joked.