Malaysian Deputy PM in Indonesia: Meet Gibran First, Then Prabowo and Surya Paloh

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi held a series of bilateral meetings during his multi-day visit to Indonesia.

Initially, Hamidi chose to meet with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (17/9/2026).

The following day, Friday (18/9/2026), Hamidi met with President Prabowo Subianto at his private residence in Hambalang, West Java.

On Saturday (19/9/2026), Hamidi visited Nasdem Party Chairman Surya Paloh at Nasdem Tower, Jakarta.

What topics did Hamidi discuss with these key figures?

Discussing Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers and Halal Products

During the meeting with Gibran, they covered several strategic issues, including the protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) and halal products.

The Minister for Migrant Workers Protection, Mukhtarudin, said one agenda item was the extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning PMI between Indonesia and Malaysia covering both informal and formal sectors.

"Currently, the agreement is expected to be completed between September and October. The technical meeting has already been concluded this month. The high-level meeting is scheduled for October," Mukhtarudin said following the meeting.

Therefore, Indonesia requested Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister's support to help accelerate the MoU's finalization process.

"Secondly, regarding the sectors for additional PMI quotas, especially for the formal sector since the informal sector still dominates. So, we are also strengthening the formal sector, particularly for medium and high-skill workers," he added.

Additionally, discussions included the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.

Mukhtarudin noted that the Indonesia-Malaysia relationship on migrant workers has been longstanding and potential problems have significantly diminished.

This is because both countries have established numerous agreements for the development and protection of Indonesian citizens working in Malaysia.

"Vice President Gibran also emphasized the importance of providing good protection to our migrant workers in Malaysia," he said.

Besides PMI issues, the talks between Gibran and Ahmad also covered halal product matters.

Ahmad Haikal Hasan Baras, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), explained that the visit of Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister was at Indonesia’s invitation.

Indonesia invited the Malaysian Deputy PM to be a keynote speaker at The 5th Summit of Halal 20 (H20) held from 18-20 September 2026.

"Our focus was solely on halal issues. Other matters were not discussed. We touched briefly on halal auditors and halal slaughterers as part of halal cooperation," Haikal said.

Receiving Assistance from Malaysia

Later, in Hambalang, Hamidi offered assistance to President Prabowo Subianto to address forest and land fires (karhutla).

Prabowo accepted Malaysia’s offer of help in tackling the fires in Kalimantan.

"We discussed various matters. First, the Malaysian side offered assistance to help us manage forest fires in Kalimantan," Prabowo said.

He shared that Malaysia would send one airplane, three helicopters, and a number of firefighting personnel.

"One airplane, three helicopters, and 52 personnel," the Malaysian Deputy PM stated.

"One airplane, three helicopters, and a firefighting team will be sent," Prabowo reiterated.

Prabowo expressed gratitude for the assistance.

He added that Malaysia had provided similar help previously.

"This is an environmental issue affecting many parties. Although the fires occur in Indonesia, their impact is felt by our neighbors. They want to assist us, and we warmly welcome it," he said.

In addition to Malaysia, Prabowo noted that several other countries have also sent aid for fire management.

"We have also received assistance from Japan and other countries have offered help, so we are very grateful," he stated.

Prabowo promised to formulate preventive measures regarding forest fires.

"This was done several years ago, and I am currently developing comprehensive prevention steps so that these fires do not recur every few years," he explained.

Finally, Hamidi, who is also UMNO’s president, praised Nasdem Party Chairman Surya Paloh during their meeting yesterday.

Hamidi even hoped UMNO could learn from Surya Paloh to become as excellent as Nasdem.

"I want to invite you and the Nasdem Party’s top leadership to come to Kuala Lumpur to visit the UMNO building—not to study what we have done but to advise us on what we should do so UMNO can be as great as Nasdem," Hamidi said.

Hamidi confessed to having long admired Surya Paloh, a respect that began when both were active in youth organizations.

He recalled serving as UMNO Youth Exco while Surya Paloh led the youth wing of Golkar Party.

Their relationship continued when Hamidi became UMNO Youth Chairman and Surya Paloh rose to party leadership.

"Later, I also became UMNO Youth Chief. During the time Mr. Surya Paloh was president of his old party, I admired his exceptional leadership," Hamidi said.

"Alhamdulillah, tonight my admiration for Mr. Surya Paloh shines through this magnificent building, Nasdem Tower," he added.

Hamidi even compared Nasdem Tower to UMNO’s building, which he said cannot match Nasdem Tower's grandeur.

"We are unable to construct a building this tall and grand. How many floors, ma’am? Twenty-two floors. Our building has only thirty-eight floors but it’s old," he remarked.