Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post)
\nJakarta Fri, January 24, 2025<\/p>\n
Indonesia and the United Kingdom have launched an infrastructure program that seeks to advance Indonesia\u2019s sustainable development, following President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s trip to London last November, during which the two countries\u2019 leaders announced a \u201cnew strategic partnership\u201d.<\/p>\n
The infrastructure program, called Melaju, was welcomed by Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Agus Harimuti Yudhoyono (AHY), alongside UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcomed the launch of Melaju on Monday, which is an initiative by the Indonesian and UK governments to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development,\u201d read a message posted on Agus\u2019 official Instagram account on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe [Indonesian] government continues to carry out various forms of cooperation, including through seeking funding sources and credible investment from both domestic and international sources to advance our future sustainable development,\u201d the message continued.<\/p>\n
Official statements say the Melaju project will take advantage of existing cooperation while prioritizing policy development, project implementation, investment and funding mobilization. The project will make use of experts from both countries to advance future infrastructure projects, Agus said during its launch event, adding that improving connectivity across the country would take on a higher priority.<\/p>\n
Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, minister West said ensuring sustainability was essential for Indonesia as it sought to boost its infrastructure, adding that London and Jakarta shared similarities as middle-power states grappling with the impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a middle power means that we are naturally well-positioned to have a deeper relationship to tackle the climate challenge, and obviously, both countries are not inside any trading blocs. The UK is not in the European Union anymore,\u201d West said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can also use the depth of our relationship [within the context of] ASEAN to try and talk about the region as a whole, specifically that Indonesia is such an important part of the group and what is good for the environment here will have such a big impact,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
West said the Melaju project was one of a number of collaborative efforts between Indonesia and the UK resulting from the \u201cnew strategic partnership\u201d announced by Prabowo and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year. The partnership, according to an official joint statement published during the leaders\u2019 meeting, seeks to deliver a \u201cmore prosperous, secure and sustainable future\u201d for both countries through frameworks grounded in mutual cooperation and benefit.<\/p>\n
During his November trip to the UK, Prabowo reportedly attended an event where British and Indonesian business leaders discussed ways to strengthen strategic cooperation in critical sectors such as technology and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very pleased that the personal relationship between Sir Keir Starmer and President [Prabowo] got off to a very good start,\u201d West told the Post. West also met with Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Chief Insp. Gen. Eddy Hartono in Jakarta on Monday. The two reportedly discussed terrorism prevention, as the issue remained \u201ca challenge\u201d for both countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cCountering terrorism is a shared responsibility of countries in maintaining global security,\u201d Eddy said of his meeting with West, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
This article was published in thejakartapost.com .<\/p>\n