JAKARTA, Feb 5 — Although his official visit to Indonesia was less than 24 hours, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has described it as very successful.

He was thankful because although it was a short trip, it provided many benefits to both countries.

"I feel happy because this trip can be said to be very successful,” he told a press conference at the end of his visit.

Muhyiddin arrived in Jakarta yesterday evening. The short visit was done by taking into account the current Covid-19 pandemic as well as in strict compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP).

He said many issues were discussed during the one-hour face-to-face meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and they arrived at a mutual agreement.

"The visit was very successful. An understanding was forged. The body language of the President was very friendly.

"So much so he (Jokowi) said that if there is anything, it’s all right to even call him up every day,” said Muhyiddin.

The prime minister said the results of the face-to-face meeting might have been difficult to achieve had it been carried out virtually.

"I can feel the warmth of the relationship with the president while chatting, walking... even though we did not shake hands,” said Muhyiddin.

The talks between the two leaders touched on bilateral, regional and international issues, including on trade, investment, labour, environment, the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the plight of smallholders and fishermen.

While at Istana Merdeka, Muhyiddin also held a separate meeting with Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDI-P) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Jokowi, former president Megawati and Muhyiddin discussed political cooperation between her party and Perikatan Nasional. — Bernama