JAKARTA —Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on March 27 that Malaysia and Indonesia will ramp up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Middle East conflict, shield civilians, and pave the way for negotiations toward lasting peace, following his meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The leaders held a three-hour closed-door session at the Indonesian State Palace, focusing on the Iran-US-Israel conflict. Anwar described the talks as a “meaningful meeting” on Facebook, emphasizing regional cohesion amid global uncertainty to protect peace, stability, economic resilience, and vital trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya called the discussion between the “old friends” warm but offered few details. It followed a March 23 phone call where Prabowo invited Anwar for face-to-face talks.
Anwar has vocally supported Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and criticized Israeli strikes, a stance that yielded results: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian cleared Malaysian vessels through the Hormuz Strait on March 26. Iran has sealed the key waterway, handling 20% of global oil and LNG, since US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Meanwhile, Indonesia faces challenges, with Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia reporting two Pertamina oil tankers stranded there. Prabowo, criticized for joining the US-led Gaza peace board, plans a national address on the conflict’s impacts but has stayed cautious.