Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean visited Bali to attend the 5th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF). DPM Teo spoke on inclusive and democratic global governance during the Leaders’ General Debate co-chaired by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 8 November 2012.
Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam visited Indonesia from 24-25 October 2012. In Yogyakarta, Minister Shanmugam met with and was hosted to lunch by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in Yogyakarta. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Minister Shanmugam also met with the Vice-Governor of Yogyakarta Paku Alam IX. In Jakarta, Minister Shanmugam called on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. They reaffirmed the warm and longstanding ties between Singapore and Indonesia. They also exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and the regional architecture.
Chairman of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) H.M. Taufiq Kiemas visited Singapore from 7 to 10 October 2012 at the invitation of Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer. He was accompanied by the MPR Vice Chairmen and Faction Heads. The delegation called on and was hosted to lunch by Mr Palmer. The two delegations agreed to step up Parliamentary exchanges. Mr Taufiq and his delegation also paid courtesy calls on President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and were hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.
Chairman of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board Dr Chatib Basri paid a courtesy call on Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu during the former’s introductory visit to Singapore on 1 October 2012.
Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Medan, North Sumatra from 7 to 8 August 2012. SMS Masagos attended the Singapore National Day Reception in Medan as Guest-of-Honour. While in Medan, SMS Masagos met with Acting Governor of North Sumatra Gatot Pujo Nugroho, the Mayor of Medan Rahudman Harahap and local business personalities. They had an exchange of views, including on how Singapore and North Sumatra can further strengthen cooperation.
GERINDRA patron Prabowo Subianto visited Singapore from 31 July to 2 August 2012. He visited Singapore for a speaking engagement at the invitation of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. During his visit, he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and was hosted to dinner by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.
Speaker of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) and President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Dr Marzuki Alie, visited Singapore on 26 June 2012. He paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Dr Marzuki also called on and was hosted to lunch by Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer. He was also hosted to tea by Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Lui Tuck Yew.
Chairman of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I, Mahfudz Siddiq, visited Singapore in conjunction with the Shangri-La Dialogue on 2 June 2012. He called on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ibu Ani Yudhoyono visited Singapore from 1 to 2 June 2012, in conjunction with the Shangri-La Dialogue where President Yudhoyono delivered the keynote address. During the visit, President Yudhoyono and Ibu Ani were hosted to tea by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan. President Yudhoyono, Ibu Ani and their accompanying delegation were also hosted to lunch by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee.
GOLKAR Chairman Aburizal Bakrie visited Singapore on 18 May 2012 with a delegation from GOLKAR’s Central Leadership Board. He paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Bogor, Indonesia on 13 March 2012 for a Leaders’ Retreat with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Prime Minister Lee was accompanied by Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang; Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam; Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong; Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts Chan Chun Sing; and Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu.
Prime Minister Lee and President Yudhoyono expressed satisfaction with the positive state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation. The Leaders noted the good progress made by the seven Working Groups that were established at the last Retreat in May 2010.The Leaders agreed that both countries should deepen economic cooperation. In particular, they agreed to build on the longstanding collaboration in the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to leverage on the strong complementarities between the two economies. The Leaders also encouraged the Working Group on Air Connectivity to come to a win-win outcome on the expansion of air services between the two countries. In addition, the Leaders discussed regional and international issues, in particular strengthening cooperation in ASEAN.
Prime Minister Lee and President Yudhoyono also witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Singapore’s Civil Service College and Indonesia’s National Institute of Public Administration (LAN) signed a MoU on the capacity building of public officials. Singapore’s Ministry of Education and Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture signed a MoU on education cooperation. The Leaders also welcomed the renewal of a 1988 MoU on youth and sports cooperation by Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa visited Singapore on 7 March 2012 in preparation for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat on 13 March 2012. Foreign Minister Marty paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during which he updated Prime Minister Lee on the preparations for the Retreat and reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Marty also called on and was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam.
Speaker of the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Nur Syafriadi visited Singapore from 6 to 8 February 2012 at the invitation of Minister of State (MOS) for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli. Mr Nur was accompanied by a delegation comprising KEPRI DPRD Commission Chairmen, as well as the Speakers of the local parliaments of Batam, Karimun, Anambas and Lingga, which are a part of KEPRI. Mr Nur called on and was hosted to lunch by MOS Masagos, during which they discussed strengthening ties between KEPRI and Singapore. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer and attended a Meet-the-People Session hosted by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Hawazi Daipi.
2011
Minister of State (MOS) of Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Bali and Yogyakarta from 7 to 11 December 2011. In Bali, MOS Masagos led Singapore's delegation to the Fourth Bali Democracy Forum, and called on Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika. In Yogyakarta, MOS met with Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Vice-Governor Paku Alam IX and Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti. Their discussions touched on how to expand bilateral tourism and cultural cooperation between Singapore and Yogyakarta.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Tanjungpinang, Bintan on 24 September 2011 to attend the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI) Anniversary Day celebrations at the invitation of KEPRI Governor Muhammad Sani.
Minister of State (MOS) for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Batam on 4 August 2011 to be the Guest-of-Honour at the Singapore National Day Reception hosted by the Singapore Consulate in Batam. MOS Masagos met KEPRI Governor Muhammad Sani and other KEPRI luminaries at the event.
Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam made an introductory visit to Jakarta from 23 to 25 June 2011. During Minister Shanmugam’s courtesy call on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President expressed satisfaction at the current state of bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen the relationship, especially in the area of economic cooperation. Minister Shanmugam also met with and was hosted to dinner by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa. The Ministers noted the good progress made in our bilateral boundary negotiations and discussed other matters of mutual interest, including the common perspectives shared by both countries on key regional developments and ASEAN's priorities.
Governor of South Sulawesi Syahrul Yasin Limpo visited Singapore from 1 to 2 June 2011 in conjunction with the launch of Garuda Airlines' direct flight connection between Singapore and Makassar. Mr Syahrul and his delegation were hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam. They discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen tourism links between Singapore and South Sulawesi.
Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Muslim Kasim visited Singapore from 23 to 26 March 2011. Mr Muslim was accompanied by a 23-member delegation comprising Mayors and senior officials from the province. Over dinner, Mr Muslim and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed discussed ways to boost economic cooperation and people-to-people ties between Singapore and West Sumatra.
Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited Magelang and Yogyakarta from 27 to 28 January 2011. In Banyubiru village, Magelang, SMS Zainul witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mercy Relief and the University of Muhammadiyah Magelang on disaster reconstruction cooperation following the 2010 Mount Merapi volcanic eruptions.
Governor of the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI), Muhammad Sani, visited Singapore from 11 to 12 January 2011. The Governor was accompanied by Vice-Governor Soerya Respationo, Speaker of the KEPRI Parliament Nur Syafriadi and senior KEPRI officials. At their meeting, Mr Sani and Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo discussed ways to build on existing links through further cooperation in various sectors including tourism, agriculture and fisheries. Mr Sani also met with Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and was hosted to dinner by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed.
2010
Minister of State for Education and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli led Singapore's delegation to Bali from 9 to 10 December 2010 to attend the Third Bali Democracy Forum.
Chairman of Indonesia's GOLKAR Party Aburizal Bakrie visited Singapore from 18 to 19 November 2010 for the launch of the Bakrie Professorship in Southeast Asia Policy and the Bakrie Graduate Fellowship at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). During his visit, Mr Aburizal Bakrie and his son, Mr Anindya Bakrie, Chairman of the Bakrie Center Foundation, were hosted to breakfast by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The Singapore Government contributed a humanitarian assistance package worth US$25,000 through the Singapore Red Cross, as well as US$25,000 via Mercy Relief to support the relief efforts for the Mentawai Islands tsunami and Mount Merapi eruption in Indonesia in October 2010. President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to convey their sympathies on the disasters.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa made his introductory visit to Singapore on 30 August 2010. During his call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Minister Marty reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Marty and Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo also reviewed the good progress made in bilateral relations and agreed to continue cooperation to advance ASEAN's interests. Minister Yeo and Foreign Minister Marty also exchanged the Instruments of Ratification for the Treaty between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Singapore Relating to the Delimitation of the Territorial Seas of the Two Countries in the Western Part of the Strait of Singapore, which was earlier signed in Jakarta on 10 March 2009.
Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed attended the inauguration ceremony of the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI) Governor Muhammad Sani and Vice-Governor Soerya Respationo in Tanjungpinang, Indonesia on 19 August 2010.
Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo visited Batam on 6 August 2010 for the official opening of the Singapore Consulate in Batam and to attend the Singapore National Day reception as the Guest-of-Honor. The establishment of the Consulate of Batam, Singapore's third diplomatic representation in Indonesia, underscores Singapore's strong ties with Indonesia and in particular, the Riau Islands Province (KEPRI).
Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited Surabaya from 1 to 2 August 2010. SMS Zainul met with Surabaya Mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono and exchanged views on how Singapore and Surabaya can enhance economic cooperation. SMS Zainul was also the Guest-of-Honour at the inaugural Singapore National Day reception in Surabaya organised by our Embassy in Jakarta.
Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo visited Meulaboh in Aceh and Medan from 1 to 2 July 2010. In Meulaboh, Minister Yeo presided over the handover ceremony of the Cut Nyak Dhien Meulaboh General Hospital together with Indonesian Minister for National Development Planning Armida Alisjahbana, Governor of Aceh Irwandi Yusuf and Regent of West Aceh Ramli MS. Minister Yeo also toured the Meulaboh General Hospital which serves a population of more than 200,000 in South and West Aceh. The successful completion of the Meulaboh General Hospital project was significant as it was the last of Singapore's major reconstruction projects for countries impacted by the December 2004 tsunami. (The Singapore Government pledged US$10 million for reconstruction projects in Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.)
Indonesia
Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm and friendly ties. Our Leaders and Ministers know each other well and work closely together bilaterally, as well as at ASEAN and various international fora to advance common interests. Over the years, we have maintained regular exchanges of high-level visits. Our relations are underpinned by strong economic cooperation. In the past few years, Singapore has consistently been Indonesia's top foreign investor. Singapore and Indonesia also cooperate across a wide range of sectors, including health, defence and the environment.
