Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto congratulated Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday and may meet the president-elect in person this week, as he seeks to build links with the incoming administration.
"Wherever you are, I’m willing to fly to congratulate you personally,” Prabowo told Trump, according to a video of the call on his social media accounts. Trump said they could meet "anytime you want” and praised the "great, great job” the Indonesian leader is doing. Prabowo’s younger brother and adviser, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, separately said the two leaders will meet in Washington this week.
Prabowo’s first overseas trip since taking office on Oct. 20 saw him visit Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing before he headed for the U.S., as he tries to balance relations with both countries. Prabowo, who won February’s election after two failed attempts, may find common ground with Trump because they are both strongman leaders whose populist appeal is rooted in nationalism, according to Achmad Sukarsono, a Singapore-based associate director at Control Risks who focuses on Indonesia.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.