Embracing the pompThey both occupy the highest office, but the leaders come from very different backgrounds. Turnbull
made his first visit to Indonesia since taking power, seeking to repair
a key relationship strained by repeated crises under his conservative
predecessorMr
Turnbull is a multi-millionaire from one of Sydney's most exclusive
suburbs, whose wife Lucy was the city's first female Lord Mayor.
Mr
Widodo, commonly referred to as Jokowi, is considered an outsider after
becoming the first Indonesian president not to have climbed the ranks
of the political elite. He rose rapidly from humble beginnings as a
furniture salesman.
Their meeting against a salubrious background
was probably what Mr Turnbull can expect from all the other nations in
this tour but what followed in Jakarta was a different flavour.
And embracing the peopleMalcolm Turnbull became the first world leader to accompany Mr Widodo on his trademark "blusukan" walks.
He appeared to be enjoying himself, despite the heat, and obvious reservations of his security detail. Prime Minister Turnbull toured the Tanah Abang market - which translates to "brother land" - with President Widodo on Thursday
The duo took off their ties in a show of solidarity.
But whether their performance for the cameras is the precursor to a
long-lasting diplomatic friendship is yet to be proven.