By:
• Torn Chanritheara

• September 6, 2024 , 3:21 PM

PHNOM PENH – Indonesian president-elect and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is visiting Cambodia, a week after Jakarta donated military equipment to Phnom Penh amid signs of enhanced military cooperation.

Prabowo arrived in Phnom Penh on September 6 and was due to meet top leaders including Senate President and Acting Head of State Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said.

“The visit underlines the warm relations between Cambodia and Indonesia and maintains the good momentum of high-level exchanges and engagements by leaders of the two countries,” it said.   

Prabowo will take office in October, succeeding Joko Widodo.  

Math Almin, Assistant to the Indonesian Defense Attache, said Prabowo also bid farewell in his capacity as Defense Minister.

Last week, Indonesia handed over 16 tonnes of military assistance including rifles, handguns and ammunition to Royal Cambodian Army’s Special Forces Command. The equipment was produced by Indonesian arms manufacturer PT. PINDAD, the Indonesian Embassy said. 

The embassy said that this assistance showed Indonesia’s defense industry potential and opened up a new dimension in defense and security cooperation.

Cambodia and Indonesia have enjoyed close military cooperation with Indonesia regularly providing scholarships for Cambodian forces to train in Indonesia. The Special Forces Command and Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ) are the two units under Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which have close ties with the Indonesian military.

Chhum Socheat, spokesperson of Defense Ministry, said the assistance will strengthen military relations between the countries. He said Cambodia also received assistance from other partners.


Lay Sopheavotey contributed to the story.