- Dok. Kementerian Pertahanan.
Jakarta – Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to Prabowo Subianto to congratulate him on his victory in last month's Indonesian presidential election, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
Prabowo, who is Indonesia's defence minister, won the February 14 contest with nearly 60 percent of the vote, according to the Indonesian election body's official tally released on Wednesday night.
His rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo received about 25 per cent and 16 percent respectively.
The official results largely confirmed unofficial results released by independent pollsters last month.
Prabowo Subianto terpilih jadi Presiden 2024
- Dok.istimewa
"On behalf of the people of Singapore, I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations on your election as the eighth president of the Republic of Indonesia," said President Tharman in a letter to Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, as quoted from CNA site.
"The strong mandate you received demonstrates the confidence and trust that the Indonesian people have in your ability to lead Indonesia towards greater progress,"
President Tharman stated that Singapore and Indonesia have a robust relationship underpinned by abiding ties of kinship and friendship.
"I am confident that under your leadership, Indonesia and Singapore will continue to be close friends and partners, as we work together to strengthen bilateral relations for the benefit of our people," he said.
Tharman added that he was happy to have met Prabowo Subianto in Singapore in November 2023 when he was conferred the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order) in recognition of his significant contributions towards strengthening the close and long-standing defence relations between Indonesia and Singapore.
In his letter to Prabowo, Lee congratulated the president-elect on winning a strong and clear mandate from all Indonesians.
Noting that Singapore and Indonesia enjoy good and friendly relations, he said that Prabowo had contributed significantly to enhancing the close ties and cooperation between the two countries during his career.
"At a personal level, I and my colleagues have greatly valued your goodwill and friendship, built up as we worked and cooperated with each other on many matters over the past decades," Lee remarked.
"I treasure our many conversations over the years, and have always appreciated your insights on regional and global developments," he concluded.
