Albanese’s warm welcome to Indonesian presidential palace

Joko Widodo welcomes PM to his palace with a 19-gun salute, a marching band, and a symbolic spin on a bike.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rides bicycles in his trip to Indonesia with President Joko Widodo. Source: SKY NEWS

It was off with the jackets and on with the helmets as Anthony Albanese rolled his pants into his socks and headed off with Jokowi for a bike ride around the presidential palace.

It was a symbol of their shared humble beginnings, with bikes in Indonesia representing the most modest necessities of daily life.

This was a first for Anthony Albanese, and a significant gesture from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as the two leaders met officially for the first time at Bogor Palace in Jakarta today.

Albanese is the first foreign leader to have been offered a bike ride around the palace by the Indonesian leader. Mr Albanese has been given one of the bamboo bicycles as an official gift from the Indonesian president.

They had met before, when Albanese was a minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments.

But this was a significant show of friendship from Jokowi, who is known for his habit of giving away the locally made bamboo bikes to the poor on regional visits throughout his vast archipelago.

@AlboMP having a bicycle meeting with President Widodo. Is this unprecedented?
Awesome idea, well done👏👏 #Auspolhttps://t.co/uC11RqZ5GH

— #AlboIsPM (@SuxHypocrisy) June 6, 2022

Mr Albanese was said to have been deeply touched by the gesture. He noted that he and the President both shared a similar story of humble beginnings.

President Widodo welcomed Anthony Albanese at Bogor Palace at 1pm local time ahead of the first official meeting between the two leaders with economic ties and security in the region expected to headline talks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, adjusts his helmet as both leaders ditch their jackets for a bicycle ride to cement their friendship around the palace grounds. Picture: SKY NEWS

The two leaders planted a ceremonial camphor laurel before heading off for the casual ride around the gardens of the palace.

The prime minister was met with an official ceremonial reception from the presidential guard and marching band followed by a 19 gun salute before the two leaders retreated behind closed doors for annual leaders’ meeting.

Mr Albanese, who claims the economic relationship between the two countries was underdone despite a trade agreement signed under the Morrison government, was hoping to progress his proposed $200 million climate and infrastructure fund with Indonesia.

However, it is expected that the issue of China’s aggressive push for greater influence in South East Asia will also feature prominently in the talks.

Private meeting

The two leaders had a private one-on-one meeting prior to the official talks in which they discussed the need for the two countries to work together to maintain peace and prosperity in the region.

“I want to say once again, welcome to PM Albanese and his delegation to Indonesia,” President Widodo said.

On this beautiful day in Jakarta, we planted a tree to signify the growth and strength of the bond between Australia and Indonesia. 🇦🇺🇮🇩 pic.twitter.com/hI1pOImRHr

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 6, 2022

“Of course it’s an honour for me to receive this visit, which is your first and amidst global situation that is very dynamic and challenging, it is becoming more important for Indonesia and Australia to strengthen bilateral co-operation.

“In addition to bilateral co-operation, strong co-operation can also contribute to world’s peace and prosperity. During our face-to-face meeting we also discussed the economic situation and the war in Ukraine.”

Down to business

This morning Mr Albanese addressed a delegation of Australian CEOs accompanying the prime minister on his visit, telling them that they had sent a strong signal to Indonesia about deepening the economic relationship by their presence in Jakarta.

The business and trade delegation included BlueScope Steel boss Mark Vassella, Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn, Telstra CEO Andrew Penn, Fortescue Metals Group deputy chair Mark Barnaba, Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins and Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott.

The were joined by the Business Council of Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott and chair Warwick Smith, Sun Cable CEO David Griffin, Monash University vice chancellor Margaret Gardner and Austrade CEO Xavier Simonet.

Mr Albanese said boosting trade and investment with Indonesia will be at the top of his agenda on the two day trip.

The pair chat as they tour the grounds. Picture: SKY NEWS

He told the delegation that they has sent a strong signal to Indonesia. He briefed the CEOs on the Government’s plans to elevate the relationship with Southeast Asia and Indonesia, and boosting “underdone” trade and investment links as a core part of Australia’s approach.

The CEOs in turn briefed Mr Albanese on their own trade links and investment partnerships with and the potential for boosting investment and trade links in Indonesia’s rapidly developing economy.

Following his meeting with President Widodo today, Mr Albanese will attend a dinner with the business delegation.

Indonesia ‘important partner’: Wong

Last night Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who accompanied Mr Albanese on the trip along with Trade Minister Don Farrell and Industry Minister Ed Husic, said Australia and Indonesia would work to ensure peace and stability in the region in response to China’s increasing aggression in the Indo Pacific and South East Asia.

Following a meeting with Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi last night after arriving in Jakarta, Ms Wong said she had constructive talks with her counterpart.

“It was a very constructive meeting with foreign minister Marsudi and I respect the fact that she wanted a meeting with me very early in this visit, obviously just after I got off the plane,” Ms Wong said.

“Indonesia is a very important partner for Australia, a very important neighbour and critical for our security, we share a region and our futures are tied with the region we share.”

Foreign minister Penny Wong, left, during a working dinner with Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi. Picture: Supplied

When asked if Indonesia shared Australia’s view on China’s growing influence, Ms Wong said it was critical Indonesia and Australia worked together to ensure peace in the region.

“Everyone understands we live in a time where the region is being reshaped and what is important is that countries work together to ensure the region remains peaceful, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty,” Ms Wong said.

“I think Indonesia is a very important partner for Australia, it’s a very important neighbour and a country that will continue to develop and continue to be critically important to the security of the region in which we live

“I think we all understand that the foreign minister of China has been in the region talking to counterparts just as I’ve been in the Pacific and we are now here in Indonesia talking to our friends and partners. We have a shared interest in a peaceful, prosperous region in which sovereignty is respected.

“That’s what Indonesia and Australia share among many other things.”

Ms Wong said the economic relationship between Indonesia and Australia continued to need “building”.

“One of the reasons why the Prime minister has ensured we have a number of ministers in a number of portfolios and a number of key business leaders joining him on this delegation is because the economic piece of the relationship continues to need building and we know we can have a closer economic relationship and that will yield benefits to both our nations,” Ms Wong said.

Asked whether people smuggling would be a topic of discussion when Mr Albanese and President Joko Widodo meet later today, Ms Wong said: “Our delegation and the topics of discussion reflect our shared interest, and obviously what is occurring in the region, the security of the region, the nature of the region, and how we can each contribute to each other’s economic prosperity, these are the priorities that this trip will be focused on.

“We’ve made our position clear in terms of our bipartisan support for Operation Sovereign Borders and I think the Indonesians understand that.”