PM dismisses democracy concerns in Indonesia, praises Prabowo Subianto

Anthony Albanese is pushing for a closer relationship with Indonesia amid fears a hostile country is trying to woo Australia’s northern neighbour.

Anthony Albanese has dodged a question about slipping democratic rights in Indonesia under Prabowo Subianto, who is hosting the Prime Minister on his first state visit since the federal election.

Mr Albanese on Thursday praised the Indonesian President, confirming the two had an “informal chat” at his hotel on Wednesday night ahead of formal talks.

“It said something about the depth of the relationship and the extent of the friendship and warm relationship between our two nations,” he told reporters in Jakarta, flanked by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

“But also my warm relationship with the President, that he came here, sat in the hotel room, and we had a really good chat about elections, about the state of the world, and … it was a great honour.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has touched down in Indonesia for his first state visit since winning the federal election. Picture: NewsWire Handout

Mr Albanese has met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Picture: NewsWire Handout

A strongman figure with a populist flair, Mr Prabowo won 58.6 per cent of ballots cast in his country’s general election last year.

He has also called democracy “very, very tiring” and “very, very messy and costly”.

His victory came despite allegations he was involved in disappearing student activists nearly two decades ago when he headed an elite military force used to stamp out domestic unrest under former dictator Suharto.

Mr Prabowo was discharged from the military over the kidnappings but has maintained he did not play a direct role and never went on trial.

Rights groups have been warning Mr Prabowo was winding back the countries post-dictatorship rights.

But Mr Albanese dismissed the concerns when asked about it.

“I think President Prabowo was elected overwhelmingly in what was a really important democratic process here in Indonesia,” he said.

“And that should be respected. President Prabowo is someone who — we talked about this last night informally — it wasn’t the first time he has run.

“He’s someone who is resilient, someone who received overwhelming support for his ticket.”

Mr Albanese said the number of political parties representing voters in Indonesia “makes our Senate look orderly by comparison”.

“And so … I think we should celebrate the democracy here,” he said.

The dark stories have not dissuaded the Albanese government from dealing with Mr Prabowo, with Mr Albanese last year inking a major defence pact with the then president-elect aimed at boosting co-operation.

Russian fears

Mr Albanese kicked off his Indonesia tour with a vow to “build stronger connections between our two countries” amid fears Russia was trying to woo Australia’s northern neighbour.

Russia has continued to enjoy strong military ties with Indonesia under Mr Prabowo’s presidency.

Defence magazine Jane’s revealed last month that Moscow requested to station warplanes at an Indonesian air base some 1300km from Darwin.

Mr Albanese has been murky on how much he knew about the request but conceded he knew something, while Indonesia’s government has dismissed the claim it and the Russians have neither confirmed nor denied.

Mr Albanese kept tight-lipped about the Russian request during his Jakarta press conference, but insisted bother Australia and Indonesia had been “clear”.

“Indonesia’s answer is no. They have made it very clear,” he said.

“It’s not for me to comment on what occurs between countries that are not Australia.

“What is important is Australia’s position, our position is clear.

“Indonesia’s position is clear as well.”

Mr Albanese and Mr Prabowo inked a major Australia-Indonesia defence pact last year. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The request has put Canberra’s relationship with Jakarta in the spotlight, with Mr Albanese stressing the importance of Indonesia being his first state visit since winning the federal election when he touched down.

“I’ve come to Indonesia for my first overseas visit since the election because our region comes first,” he posted on social media.

“Australia and Indonesia are the nearest of neighbours and the closest of friends.

“Working with President (Prabowo Subianto) over the coming years, we will build stronger connections between our two countries.

“Stronger ties with our neighbours means a stronger economy and more jobs in Australia.”

I’ve come to Indonesia for my first overseas visit since the election because our region comes first.

Australia and Indonesia are the nearest of neighbours and the closest of friends.

Working with President @prabowo over the coming years, we will build stronger connections… pic.twitter.com/oOVLlZntQH

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 14, 2025

Originally published as PM dismisses democracy concerns in Indonesia, praises Prabowo Subianto