Contribution of Vaccines to Support Indonesia’s Fight Against COVID-19, 28 September 2021

The Singapore Government has contributed a total of 122,400 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Batam and the Riau Islands (KEPRI) province in Indonesia, as part of the close cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman handed over the shipment of vaccines to Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo at Jurong Port on 28 September. The shipment is scheduled to arrive in Batu Ampar Port in Batam on 29 September.

This contribution of AstraZeneca vaccine doses, which Singapore had procured under the COVAX initiative, is part of Singapore’s efforts to support the regional and global fight against COVID-19. As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat on 16 July 2021, Singapore will donate our vaccines under the COVAX initiative to other countries. Singapore is grateful to Gavi and AstraZeneca for facilitating this effort.

The transcript of Minister Maliki’s remarks at the handover ceremony is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

28 SEPTEMBER 2021

MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECOND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION DR MOHAMAD MALIKI OSMAN’S REMARKS AT THE CEREMONY FOR THE HANDOVER OF VACCINES TO INDONESIA, JURONG PORT, 28 SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 1730 HRS

Ambassador Suryo Pratomo, ladies and gentlemen, good evening to everyone. Thank you for being here to witness the handover of over 120,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the Government of Singapore to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.

Later tonight, the vaccines will be packed and shipped to Batam. This latest tranche of COVID-19 contributions to Indonesia bears testament to the longstanding close cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia, and especially in our ongoing fight against the pandemic. Singapore’s contribution of vaccines will be channelled to the local communities in Batam and the Riau Islands, or KEPRI, province. Just a short ferry ride away, KEPRI is one of Singapore’s closest neighbours and partners, and many Singaporeans are familiar with Batam. It is critical that we continue to work together so that we can emerge from the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19. As we have seen from the continued spread of more contagious variants, COVID-19 is a reality that we will have to live with for some time to come. As we navigate these difficult times, I am glad that the relationship between Singapore and Indonesia has remained steadfast and strong.

In the face of adversity, we have demonstrated our commitment to support each other in times of need. Most recently, through our “Oxygen Shuttle” programme, Singapore sent over 500 tonnes of liquid oxygen to Indonesia. Indonesia had also facilitated the shipment of essential items for our community care facilities earlier in the pandemic. Both Singapore and Indonesia have also taken steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our people and the region by vaccinating our populations. We hope that Singapore’s contribution of vaccines to Indonesia, which we had procured under the COVAX initiative, will support these efforts and the region’s progress towards COVID resilience.  

In closing, I would like to thank Gavi and AstraZeneca for facilitating these efforts. I am confident that Singapore and Indonesia will recover from this pandemic, stronger, together. Thank you.

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Photo credit: Ministry of Health, Singapore

Photo caption: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines being prepared for shipment to Batam, the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia, 28 September 2021.

Photo credit: Ministry of Health, Singapore

Photo caption: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines being prepared for shipment to Batam, the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia, 28 September 2021.

Photo credit: Ministry of Health, Singapore

Photo caption: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines being prepared for shipment to Batam, the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia, 28 September 2021.

Photo credit: Ministry of Health, Singapore

Photo caption: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines being prepared for shipment to Batam, the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia, 28 September 2021.

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Photo caption: Minister Maliki delivering remarks to media at the ceremony for the handover of Singapore’s contribution of vaccines to Indonesia.

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Photo caption: Minister Maliki and Indonesian Ambassador Suryo Pratomo at the ceremony for the handover of Singapore’s contribution of vaccines to Indonesia.

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Photo caption: Minister Maliki handing over Singapore’s contribution of vaccines to Indonesian Ambassador Suryo Pratomo.

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Photo caption: Minister Maliki and Indonesian Ambassador Suryo Pratomo, together with Jurong Port Chief Strategy Officer Desmond Lim and Indonesian Embassy Minister-Counsellor Ratna Harjana at the handover ceremony.