Megawati says Badawi appointment set to bring RI, Malaysia closer

Megawati says Badawi appointment set to bring RI, Malaysia closer

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri sent on Friday a letter
congratulating the appointment of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the
new Malaysian prime minister, conveying hopes that his
administration would further strengthen the friendship between
the two nations.

"On behalf of the Indonesian people, I congratulate the
inauguration of his excellency Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the
Malaysian Prime Minister," Megawati said in a statement made
available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

"On this happy occasion, I would like to note the strong
bilateral relations between the two countries in these past
years.

"And I am sure that with the new leadership, the ties will be
maintained and strengthened, not just for the sake of the people
of the two countries, but also for more prosperous and secure
Southeast Asia region," she said.

Megawati also expressed her hope that Badawi would succeed in
leading the Muslim country to a better future.

The President's personal secretary, Kemal Munawar, said the
message was sent soon after Badawi was sworn in on Friday as the
successor to Mahathir Mohamad, who had been in power for 22
years.

Unlike other Asian leaders from China, Japan and Singapore,
Megawati did not make an official statement on Mahathir's
retirement.

Mahathir met Megawati at the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit in early October in Bali, during which
Megawati delivered an emotional farewell speech to Mahathir
before other ASEAN leaders.

"He always had strong and informed views and never hesitated
to say the unpleasant. This is why I can say with confidence that
Dr. Mahathir may leave office, but he will never abandon ASEAN,"
Megawati said.

It was the last ASEAN summit for Mahathir as Malaysia's
leader.