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.