President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. congratulated Indonesia’s new leaders as he witnessed the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Sunday.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos joined other world leaders in witnessing the Indonesian leaders’ inauguration at the House of Representatives Building in Jakarta.

Among the leaders who were present in the ceremony were Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

In a social media post, Marcos said Indonesia is one of the Philippines’ longstanding partners and closest friends in the Southeast Asian region.

“I reaffirm our nation’s desire to further strengthen our bilateral ties with Indonesia on this momentous occasion and in lieu of our diplomatic relations’ 75th anniversary in November,” he said.

Marcos was invited by Prabowo’s predecessor, Joko Widodo, whose eldest son, Gibran, became Indonesia’s youngest vice president.

Prabowo visited Manila last month and met with Marcos at Malacañang Palace in Manila where they affirmed their vision for their nations’ greater ties.

The Philippines and Indonesia are among the founding nations of the Association of Southeast Nations. (PNA)