Tun Mahathir prays Jokowi will be elected as new Indonesian president

"I pray for Bapak Jokowi to be elected as the next president," said Dr Mahathir to Jokowi before leaving the residence of PDI-P chairman, Megawati Soekarnoputri here, Monday.

Asked to comment on Dr Mahathir's statement, Jokowi, who is also the Governor of Jakarta, and the most popular candidate among the presidential candidates, only smiled while uttering: "Amin." Prior to this, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who would be ending his tenure in October, openly endorsed Jokowi as his successor.

At the parliamentary election on April 9, PDI-P emerged at the top position via a quick count carried out by numerous research bodies.

On his meeting with Megawati, Dr Mahathir said his call on the fifth Indonesian president was a meeting of two old friends especially because they both often met in dialogues and events involving Asean.

"I am very happy to see Ibu Megawati healthy and I hope the friendship is also reflected by both nations, Indonesia and Malaysia," said Dr Mahathir.

Also present at the meeting with Megawati was Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, Jokowi and Megawati's daughter, Puan Maharani, who is also a senior leader of PDI-P.

Earlier, talking to reporters before delivering his general lecture titled 'Malaysia-Indonesia: Yesterday, Today and Forever', Dr Mahathir said he would befriend anybody who is elected as the new president of Indonesia. As such, he hopes the new Indonesian president could further improve Malaysia-Indonesia ties despite the hiccups between the two neighbours, prior to this.

Dr Mahathir said he supported anybody who is elected as the new president of Indonesia for the good of both nations.

"Indonesia's ties with Malaysia all these while have been going on well. I hope the new Indonesian president can continue the cooperation which had been established and solve any existing issues.

"I am friend to all including the press (journalists). Whoever is the new Indonesian president will be a friend, if he accepts my friendship," he said.

Without explaining on the existing issues which cropped up between the two nations, he said the good Indonesia-Malaysia ties were not only important for both nations, but also for the stability of the South East Asian region. "The good ties between the two neighbours are not only profitable to Indonesia and Malaysia but also very important for South East Asia."