'Present leadership to the next': Singapore, Indonesia 'committed' to continuity in bilateral ties

BOGOR, Indonesia: Having achieved “excellent progress” in bilateral cooperation over the past decade, Singapore and Indonesia are committed to continuity in bilateral ties amid leadership renewals in both countries, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Apr 29).
    
Mr Lee was speaking alongside Indonesia President Joko Widodo at a joint press conference after the annual Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in the city of Bogor in West Java.

The leaders witnessed the signing of two agreements in defence and sustainability at the annual top-level meeting held at the Istana Bogor.

This was the seventh and final retreat – an annual meeting to foster bilateral relations and discuss areas of cooperation – between both leaders.

In Singapore, Mr Lee will hand over the premiership to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15.

Mr Jokowi, as the two-term Indonesian President is commonly known, will pass the leadership reins to Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto in October. Mr Prabowo had secured a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election on Feb 14.

“While this retreat is a fitting occasion to reflect and celebrate what we have achieved together, it is also about continuity and looking ahead,” said Mr Lee, adding that Mr Wong and Mr Prabowo had joined the leaders at their four-eye meeting earlier in the day.

“From the present leadership to the next, we committed to look ahead, build on the strong foundation and to  expand our cooperation,” he added.

Mr Lee said: “I am glad that President Jokowi and I are handing over the bilateral relationship in good state to our successors.

“I have every confidence that Pak Prabowo and DPM Lawrence will continue to bring the relationship to greater heights. May Singapore and Indonesia ties continue to flourish, far into the future.”

In a Facebook post, Mr Wong described Monday's leaders' retreat as a unique opportunity for the two leaders and their successors to meet.

"I look forward to working with president-elect Prabowo to build on the strong ties, and to take our partnership to greater heights," he wrote.

TWO AGREEMENTS IN DEFENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Taking stock of the progress made over the past decade, Mr Lee noted that both countries shared a commitment to deepening mutual understanding and fostering stronger ties “at all levels”.

This included three agreements under the Expanded Framework which entered into force last month, in a major milestone for bilateral relations. These agreements, first signed at the Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan in 2022, cover air space management, defence and extradition.

“As close neighbours, trust and mutual understanding between us make all the difference,” Mr Lee said.

Thanking Mr Jokowi and his ministers for their role in bringing all three agreements to fruition, he added: “They show that when we work together in a spirit of friendship and openness, we can address even the most complicated issues in a pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner.”

Both countries on Monday signed a joint update on defence cooperation which looks back on key bilateral defence interactions in the past year, and highlight new and enhanced areas of collaboration moving forward.

This reflects “robust” defence ties between the two countries, said Mr Lee.

Economic ties are another key pillar of the relationship, said Mr Lee, noting that investments from Singapore to Indonesia have increased steadily and exceeded S$74 billion (US$54 billion) cumulatively.

Efforts are being made to deepen cooperation in emerging fields like the digital economy and green economy, with a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on community empowerment activities relating to mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia being signed on Monday.

Under the MOU, both governments will set up a bilateral framework to facilitate the participation of non-governmental organisations and stakeholders to promote the sustainable use of mangrove resources in local communities, starting with a pilot in Setokok Island in Batam.

Key activities include promoting community awareness on developing sustainable mangrove ecosystems, sharing of best practices on the sustainable use of mangrove products and economic opportunities from mangrove ecotourism.

On the digital economy front, the leaders announced the launch of the pilot of a bilateral manpower programme called Tech:X.

This will allow young tech professionals from Indonesia and Singapore to pursue short-term working stints and gain valuable exposure in the other country, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“A CONSTRUCTIVE VOICE IN A DIVIDED WORLD”

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Lee also paid tribute to Mr Jokowi, describing him as having put Indonesia on a strong economic trajectory with his vision and leadership, as well as having raised the standing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a participant in international affairs.

“This has brought stability and progress to Indonesia and to the entire region. Indonesia is ASEAN’s largest economy. When Indonesia prospers, the region prospers,” he said.

Mr Lee also noted that Indonesia has been “a constructive voice in a divided world” under Mr Jokowi, adding that he was happy to have had the privilege to work with him throughout these years.

Mr Jokowi, who delivered his remarks in Bahasa Indonesia during the joint press conference, said Indonesia was glad to be the host of the seventh Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat.

He noted that both leaders discussed a range of issues, including politics and military, as well as ensuring the continued smooth implementation of the three agreements under what is known as the Expanded Framework.

Possible economic collaborations – such as the green economy and the development of IT infrastructure and a data centre in Nongsa in Batam – as well as exchanges in trade and technology, and social and culture, were also discussed.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in the Middle East and the need to strengthen "ASEAN centrality".

The ASEAN centrality concept broadly emphasises that the group must become the dominant regional platform to overcome common challenges and engage with external powers.

Earlier in the day, Mr Lee was received by Mr Jokowi at Istana Bogor, one of six presidential palaces in Indonesia, where he signed a guestbook before commencing meetings with the Indonesian leader.

For this trip, Mr Lee is accompanied by eight members of the Cabinet.

Apart from Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, other ministers making the trip include Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng.