REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and wife DR Siti Hasanah on their arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma airport at 18.17 p.m. here on Thursday. Jokowi was flanked by First Lady Iriana.

Also seen accompanying Jokowi to welcome Mahathir and his delegation were Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

President Joko Widodo (right) welcomes arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at Halim Perdanakusumah airport, Jakarta, Thursday (June 28).

Mahathir is on an official visit to the country from June 28 to 29. According to the Malaysian embassy, the visit is the first bilateral visit made by Mahathir after assuming the prime minister post for the second time on May 10.

Mahathir is scheduled to meet Jokowi as well the Malaysian community members. The visit is expected to serve as a means for the two leaders to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

President Joko Widodo (left) introduces his cabinet to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Bandara at Halim Perdanakusuma airport, Jakarta, Thursday (June 28).

Mahathir is also expected to discuss various new policies of his government and his country's stance towards various issues of common concern. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional as well as global issues of common interest.

Indonesia is Malaysia's neighbor and important partner. In 2017, trade between the two countries rose 22 percent to US$16.89 billion from 2016, making Malaysia the seventh biggest trade partner in the world and third biggest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Singapore and Thailand.

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