On your bike, Albo: New PM’s strange welcome to Indonesia

New PM Anthony Albanese has had an unexpected welcome to Indonesia, being invited on a bike ride by President Joko Widodo. But there was deeper meaning to this, rather than just a political stunt.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s bid to get fit has paid off in his first official visit to Indonesia, where he joined President Joko Widodo for a bike ride as part of a warm, official welcome at the palace.

Mr Albanese arrived late on Sunday night for the three day visit aimed at strengthening the relations with the emerging superpower, to build and expand a multi-billion trade deal as well as for discussions about China’s growing influence in the region,

China has cast a shadow over the trip, after a Chinese fighter jet attempted a dangerous interception of an Australian maritime surveillance plane in international airspace over the South China Sea.

Mr Albanese was welcomed with pomp and ceremony to Bogor Palace in Jakarta, one of six presidential palaces in Indonesia, in early afternoon Australian Eastern Standard Time.

His limo on the entry to the palace was preceded by a marching band dressed in bright red uniforms, an official honour guard and a 19 gun salute.

He was greeted warmly by President Widodo, with the pair exchanging a joke, before inspecting the band and men and women dressed brightly in traditional clothing.

They planted a Pohon Kamper tree on the grounds together, using a small ceremonial spade decorated with flowers.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese riding a bamboo bike with Indonesia President Joko Widodo at the Bogor Palace in Jakarta.

The two leaders then stripped off their jackets and ties, rolled up their sleeves, and donned helmets for a five minute bike ride around the palace grounds.

While Mr Albanese began somewhat wobbly, he gained confidence, while President Widodo was much more relaxed on the bike, which was made from bamboo.

The President is known to take bicycles with him when he visits the regional areas of Indonesia to give away as gifts to poor children.

Mr Albanese said he was “deeply touched” that the President thought of the bike riding idea, saying he understood the cultural significance of bicycles in Indonesia, where they are used by many people from poor backgrounds to get around.

The Australian Prime Minister said he and President Widodo had a shared history of humble beginnings, which is why he was touched by the gesture.

It is not the first time President Widodo has broken out the bike for official duties, having gone on a similar ride with Boris Johnson in London in 2014.

Mr Albanese began the day at a breakfast with Australian CEOs, who are joining him on the trip as part of a high-level delegation, with Wesfarmers CEO Rob Scott, miner Fortesque Metals Deputy chair Mark Barnaba, and head of defence industry giant Thales Chris Jenkins, as well as representatives from Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, Monash University and the Business Council of Australia among others.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese said he was touched by the bike riding idea. Picture: Sekretariat Presiden

Mr Albanese said the delegation was an excellent signal to Indonesia about the seriousness of the relationship and the importance of elevating the trade delegation.

The CEOs briefed the PM and ministers on their trade links and investment partnerships in Indonesia, and their views about the potential for growing these links in Indonesia’s fast developing economy.

Mr Albanese said he looked forward to welcoming President Widodo to Australia for the next annual meeting in 2023.

“Although I can’t promise a bike ride around Lake Burleigh Griffin,” he said.

He also promised to rebuild Indonesian language skills in Australia with investment in the Australian Consortium for in-country Indonesian Studies.

“More Australians speaking Bahasa Indonesia will be vital to deepening our relationship,” Mr Albanese said.

In a veiled reference to China, President Widodo said he hoped the good relations between Australia and Indonesia would “contribute to the peace and prosperity in the region”.

“Therefore, international laws must be followed consistently,” he said.

“Strategic competition in the region must be well managed to avoid open conflict.

“The culture of peace and strategic trust needs to be strengthened continuously.”

The Australian Prime Minister also committed to a $200 million climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia.

“True to my government’s ambitious climate targets, I want better access to reliable and secure clean energy right across our region,” he said.

Australia also confirmed its attendance at the G20 in Bali in November, which some countries are considering a boycott of due to the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The work of the G20 is critical at this time of global economic uncertainty and it will be by working with Indonesia that we most effectively tackle the many challenges we face in navigating the post-Covid global economic recovery,” Mr Albanese said.

President Widodo gifted the bamboo bike to Mr Albanese.