Kuala Lumpur – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his deepest appreciation for being awarded the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (D.KI Johor) from Malaysia’s King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, Monday (27/1).

‘I also had the great honour of being received by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, given a regal military ceremony and I was also given the highest title from the Sultanate of Johor, namely the honorary star title of darjah kerabat Johor,’ Prabowo told the media after a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar then joked in response to Prabowo’s statement, ‘Higher than Dato’ Seri,’ Anwar said, referring to his title.

Hearing Anwar’s joke, the audience laughed, including Prabowo.

Prabowo then continued that this title symbolised the close relationship between him and Malaysia, as well as between him and the Johor Sultanate family.

‘We have a very long relationship, maybe 45 years with Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. When we were young, we went to school together in America,’ Prabowo explained.

‘At that time I was still thin. So this relationship is long, I also feel that when I go to Malaysia I am returning home. Because I grew up in Malaysia, I went to school in Malaysia, my family is in Malaysia. My family, my parents were very close to the founders of Malaysia, the founding fathers of modern Malaysia,’ Prabowo continued.

He also said that for him, Malaysia and Indonesia have common interests, with cultural and ethnic ties.

‘So I feel that this should make the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia more distinctive. There must be a special relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia,’ Prabowo said. (RR)