Jokowi's maiden visit to Malaysia begins tomorrow

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is on a three-day state visit to Malaysia, beginning Thursday at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

The foreign ministry in a statement here Wednesday, said the maiden visit to Malaysia followed his appointment as Indonesian president last Oct 20.

According to the statement, the president, fondly known as Jokowi, will be accompanied by wife, Iriana, cabinet ministers and other senior officials.

The itinerary of the visit includes a state welcoming ceremony, an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah and a state banquet on Thursday.

On Friday, Jokowi is scheduled to hold a restricted meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, followed by a delegation meeting, said the statement.

It said Najib and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor would also host an official luncheon in honour of Jokowi, his wife and the Indonesian delegation.

The statement added that Jokowi would be visiting Proton, with a view to exploring cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the automotive field.

It said the Indonesian president's state visit would provide an opportunity for both leaders to take stock of the progresss of the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.

Furthermore, it would afford the two leaders to exchange views on regional and global issues that were common interests to Malaysia and Indonesia, the statement added.

According to the statement, Indonesia is Malaysia's sixth largest trading partner globally, and third largest trading partner among ASEAN member countries.

In 2013, total trade between the two countries was recorded at RM61.1 billion (US$19.4 billion) and RM54.7 billion (US$16.9 billion) for the period of January till November 2014.