MFA Press Statement: Visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean to Jakarta, 23 to 25 November 2015

               Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean was hosted to dinner by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan on 23 November 2015.  During the dinner, DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and Indonesia.  They discussed a broad range of bilateral and international defence and security issues.    

               DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut agreed that it was important for Singapore and Indonesia to continue the close cooperation between the two countries in confronting security challenges, including transnational terrorism. 

               DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut acknowledged the longstanding ties and close cooperation between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces, which had been built upon decades of mutual trust, benefitting both Singapore and Indonesia.  DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut expressed the hope that the close cooperation between the two armed forces would strengthen further in the coming years.  

               DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut also discussed the ongoing efforts to deal with transboundary haze.  Both DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut agreed on the importance of implementing preventive measures early so that the fires and the resultant haze can be prevented in advance.  DPM Teo reiterated Singapore’s readiness to assist Indonesia in its preventive efforts.  Coordinating Minister Luhut expressed appreciation for Singapore’s recent assistance to help combat the land and forest fires that resulted in the haze.  He said that the Indonesian government was committed to putting in place additional measures to prevent a recurrence of the fires and haze from next year onwards.

               DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut also discussed the excellent bilateral economic relationship.  They noted that Singapore was once again the top investor in Indonesia so far this year.  They agreed that Singapore and Indonesia should explore additional ways to broaden and deepen the existing economic ties.

               DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut discussed the Flight Information Region (FIR).  DPM reiterated that the FIR issue was a technical issue based on aviation safety, and was not an issue of sovereignty.  Singapore’s main concern is to ensure the safety and security of aircraft passing through the very busy airspace covered by the FIR.  The delegation of FIR management is considered by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) based on technical and operational considerations related to aviation safety and efficiency.

               DPM Teo continues his visit to Jakarta tomorrow and Wednesday.   

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

23 NOVEMBER 2015