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Prabowo backs Papua New Guinea’s ASEAN bid
Having PNG, which is Indonesia’s “close neighbor", in the bloc could help make ASEAN stronger, thus raising the bloc’s position in the global constellation, President Prabowo Subianto has said.
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President Prabowo Subianto attends the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025.
(Courtesy of/Coordinating Economic Ministry)
P
resident Prabowo Subianto has voiced support for Papua New Guinea’s bid to join ASEAN, saying that the move would boost the bloc’s influence and resilience amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Speaking during a closed plenary session of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the President revealed that PNG had expressed interest in becoming a member of the Southeast Asian nations grouping, describing the country as a “close neighbor” of Indonesia.
“In the current situation of geopolitical uncertainty, the stronger ASEAN is, the more we will be heard in the discourse of the great powers,” Prabowo said, as quoted by an official statement.
“We know now that only those with strength will be respected,” he continued.
Indonesia shares an 800-kilometer land border with PNG. The border remains an issue for both countries but is periodically reviewed by Jakarta and Port Moresby, which has been a “continuing positive trend”.
Jakarta has sought to nurture its ties with its eastern neighbor due to the cultural proximity of its people to the indigenous Papuans, who are allowed to cross the border with greater ease than other residents.
Read also: Prabowo affirms friendship with Papua New Guinea after Australia visit
