Prabowo described Zahid as an “old friend from youth” as he greeted him at the Palace.

A statement from the Presidential Secretariat said Prabowo and Zahid reaffirmed the importance of regional stability and maintaining ties between the two neighboring nations, which share deep cultural, historical and economic bonds.

Speaking to the media after the bilateral meeting, Prabowo said they discussed global concerns around United States President Donald Trump's new trade tariffs. “How could we not discuss it? It has become a global topic now,” Prabowo said. But he did not reveal the details of their discussions.

He said the meeting with Zahid also discussed the ongoing war in Gaza.

“We both come from countries with large Muslim populations. It’s a concern for both our peoples,” he said.

The event followed Prabowo’s several visits to Malaysia, the chair of ASEAN this year, since assuming office six months ago. This includes a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur in early January to exchange views on regional issues, a meeting in Kuala Lumpur later in January to discuss migrant labor and palm oil production and another in Putrajaya earlier this month to discuss the new US trade tariffs.

Popular

Explore nearby, spend wisely: intra-provincial travel boom

Furniture exporters decry new quarantine rule

Jokowi faces storm of lawsuits six months after stepping down