ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – United States (US) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antony Blinken, congratulated Prabowo Subianto, elected President of Indonesia in 20024.
The General Election Commission announced on Wednesday, March 20 2024 evening that Prabowo Subianto and his deputy Gibran Rakabuming Raka had obtained 96.2 million votes and won in 36 out of 38 provinces. This achievement made Prabowo the winner of the Presidential Election in just one round.
Shortly after the news, Blinken immediately issued a message of congratulations to Prabowo.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto on his victory and once again praise the Indonesian people for their participation and commitment to democracy and the rule of law,” Blinken said.
The American diplomat spoke about how the two countries were celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations “based on democracy and pluralism.”
He also mentioned Indonesia’s recently upgraded status as a comprehensive strategic partner of the United States.
“As partners and close friends in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we work together to create a better future for our citizens,” said Blinken.
“We look forward to partnering closely with president-elect Prabowo Subianto and his government when his term begins in October,” he concluded.
Previously, congratulations were also given from US President Joe Biden earlier this month, when Prabowo led the vote tally and won the quick count and real count versions of the Presidential Election.
Biden also commented on Prabowo’s time as defense minister.
“For 75 years, Indonesia and the US have come closer to our shared values and our democratic and pluralistic vision for the world. Together, we have maintained international stability, including for a free, open, prosperous and safe Indo-Pacific,” wrote Biden in his letter.
“Your partnership as Indonesia’s Minister of Defense has been crucial in this effort,” Biden said.
This is Prabowo’s third attempt to become president after losing to previous President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) twice. This time, Prabowo is side by side with Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice presidential candidate.
The ideas that Prabowo brought to his campaign were also largely focused on policies that already existed under Jokowi.
Under the Jokowi administration, the US-Indonesia agreed to have a comprehensive strategic partnership – the highest status of cooperation.
Jokowi has pursued more economical foreign diplomacy when interacting with Indonesian partners, including the US.
For example, Jokowi tried to get the US to revive the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) during his bilateral talks with Biden in November last year.
GSP eliminates import duties for imported goods from Indonesia along with other selected beneficiary countries. However, this program has expired since December 31 2020. Jokowi even told Biden that the revival of the GSP could help the US reduce its dependence on Chinese imports. (ATN)
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