KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): Newly appointed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday described Indonesia as a true friend to Malaysia and said he hopes that the two countries could improve relations in various aspects including trade and investment.

Anwar, who conveyed the matter through a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also said he hopes that both countries could resolve the issue involving the labour force.

"I emphasise that Indonesia is Malaysia's true friend and I hope that trade and business relations, investment, culture and labour issues can be improved. The friendship between the two must be strengthened," said Anwar on his official Facebook page.

According to the post, the Indonesian leader, who is better known as Jokowi, was the first head of state to contact Anwar to congratulate him on his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister  on Thursday.

Anwar, 75, took the oath of office as the 10th prime minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the Istana Negara at 5.06pm on Thursday.