Singapore-Indonesia leaders’ retreat sets stage for successors, with ‘more active’ engagement expected
- The annual meet ‘formally introduces’ Lawrence Wong and Prabowo Subianto as their respective countries’ new leaders, in addition to deepening bilateral ties
- Prabowo could take a more ‘robust’ foreign policy approach while major changes are unlikely from Singapore’s Wong, analysts say
Wong, Singapore’s deputy prime minister, will take over the reins from Lee on May 15, while Prabowo, currently Indonesia’s defence minister, won the country’s presidential election in February and will assume office in October.
The outgoing and future leaders of the two countries met on Monday for this year’s edition of the annual Leaders’ Retreat, held in the city of Bogor in West Java.
“While this retreat is a fitting occasion to reflect and celebrate what we have achieved together, it is also about continuity and looking ahead,” Lee said during a joint press conference with Widodo following the meeting with their successors.
“From the present leadership to the next, we committed to look ahead, build on the strong foundation and to expand our cooperation.”