JAKARTA: Indonesia's Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shared some light moments on the sidelines of the Asean Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.
During a coffee break, the two leaders emphasised the warmth of the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, engaging in a friendly conversation over refreshments, according to the Vice Presidential Press and Media Bureau.
In addition to their informal discussion, Ma'ruf and Anwar prayed together, with Anwar leading the call to prayer (iqamah) while Ma'ruf served as the imam.
"The moment not only highlighted the personal closeness between the two leaders, but also symbolised the increasingly solid and productive relationship between the two countries moving forward," the statement said.
Ma'ruf is leading Indonesia's delegation in the absence of President Joko Widodo, ahead of the transition of power to Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Oct 20.
Earlier, during a plenary session, Ma'ruf highlighted three significant milestones that have bolstered Asean's role over the past decade, including the adoption of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which he called a critical strategic guide.
He also underscored the importance of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), describing it as a landmark achievement. RCEP is the world's largest free trade agreement, covering nearly 30 per cent of global trade and one-third of the world's population.
Furthermore, Ma'ruf advocated for Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean, calling it a historic step toward greater regional solidarity.
"Timor-Leste's membership is a historic move that not only strengthens regional solidarity but also reinforces Asean's commitment and identity as an inclusive organisation," Ma'ruf remarked.
However, he cautioned against complacency, urging Asean to continue adapting and enhancing cooperation in response to increasingly complex global challenges.
"In a rapidly changing world, future challenges demand that Asean remains adaptable and continues to collaborate more closely," he added.– BERNAMA