JAKARTA— Indonesia will always be given priority by Malaysia in bilateral relations, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“Indonesia accepted me as a true friend, so I will never forget that,” he told the media after witnessing the handover of letters of intent and the exchange of memorandums of understanding involving Malaysian and Indonesian companies here, Sunday.

He was asked why he chose Indonesia for his first official visit after becoming prime minister on Nov 24 last year.

“Indonesia is a neighbour, we share the same roots and have a good friendship. It (Indonesia) was also a true friend at a time when I was cast out and sidelined,” he said.

Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrived in Indonesia Sunday for a two-day official visit.

Anwar was accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Charge d’Affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Adlan Mohd Shaffieq.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK