MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli to Medan and Batam, 4 to 5 August 2015

Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at the Singapore National Day Reception held in Medan on 4 August 2015. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli officially opens the Batam Singapore Community Club on 5 August 2015. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at the Singapore National Day Reception in Batam on 5 August 2015. [Photo credit: MFA]

        Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli visited Medan and Batam on 4 and 5 August 2015 respectively to attend as the Guest-of-Honour, the receptions held to commemorate Singapore’s 50th National Day hosted by the Singapore Consulates in Medan and in Batam.

        While in Medan, Minister Masagos met Vice-Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi. During the meetings, they re-affirmed the warm and long standing relations between Singapore and North Sumatra. Minister Masagos noted that Singapore and North Sumatra’s relationship was underpinned by long historical ties and close people-to-people links. There was also good economic cooperation between both sides. Minister Masagos and the North Sumatra leaders discussed ways to expand the bilateral economic cooperation. Minister Masagos also met a cross-section of the local business community, including members from the Medan branch of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) over lunch. Minister Masagos also met members of the Singapore community living in Medan at the National Day reception.

        While in Batam, Minister Masagos met several Riau Islands (KEPRI) leaders, including Speaker of the KEPRI Regional Legislative Council Jumaga Nadeak. During their interactions, they agreed that the frequent interactions between Singapore and KEPRI’s leaders, and the excellent people-to-people ties had led to a close and productive relationship. Minister Masagos noted the strong and interlinked relationship between Singapore and KEPRI, and said that both sides should explore ways to do more. Minister also officiated the opening of the Batam Singapore Community Club (BSCC). The BSCC was founded in conjunction with SG50 celebrations by active members of the Singaporean community in Batam to provide a place for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents residing in Batam to meet, socialise and relax. It has approximately 150 members and is located within the premises of the Southlinks Country Club. Minister Masagos met many members of the Singaporean community at the opening of the BSCC and at the Consulate’s reception, where he was updated on the substantial community projects that the community had undertaken, including a medical project to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery to KEPRI residents who were in need.

       The full texts of Second Minister Masagos’ speeches at the Receptions are attached.

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
5 AUGUST 2015

SPEECH BY MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS MASAGOS ZULKIFLI AT THE SINGAPORE CONSULATE IN MEDAN’S NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION, TUESDAY, 4 AUGUST 2015

Vice-Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi,
Fellow Singaporeans,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Let me first begin by again offering Singapore’s condolences on the tragic crash of the military plane in Medan on 30 June 2015. I extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2         I was last in Medan three years ago, and am delighted to be back. Each time I visit the city, I see changes in the landscape. New buildings and new roads and other infrastructure being built give the city a real buzz, and a sense that the city of Medan and its people are on the go. In five days’ time, Singapore will be celebrating its 50th National Day, and I am happy to be able to join both my Singaporean and Indonesian friends here in Medan to celebrate this very special occasion.

3        Earlier today, I had the pleasure of meeting Vice-Governor Tengku Erry, and we had very fruitful discussions on a broad range of issues, including on the close ties between Singapore and North Sumatra, which have grown from year to year. We established our Consulate in Medan in 2012. It is one of just two Singapore Consulates in Indonesia, the other being in Batam. It is a big decision for Singapore to open any overseas mission. That we decided to establish a consulate here in Medan underscores our growing bilateral ties as well as the great potential we see in North Sumatra, and in Medan, Indonesia’s third largest city. I know that our Consul Mark Low has been working very hard, and I thank the Vice-Governor and people of North Sumatra for supporting his efforts.

4        The links between Singapore and Sumatra go back a long way. According to Malay legend, the name Singapore was bestowed by Sang Nila Utama, a prince of the Srivijaya kingdom based in Palembang, Sumatra. Even the trade links between Singapore and Sumatra are a thing of legend – it was said in times past that goods from all over the world passed through the mouth that was Singapore, down the throat that was Siak, and upriver to the stomach that was Sumatra. For centuries, ships would bring Hajj pilgrims from many parts of Indonesia, pass through Singapore, and head northwards to pick up more pilgrims at Medan and Banda Aceh, before sailing for the holy land.

5        This imagery continues to hold true today, with bilateral trade between Singapore and Sumatra remaining strong. Though the sailing ships have been replaced by modern planes, our strong communal ties remain. Many Peranakan families living in Singapore can trace their ancestry to places like Medan and Jambi. Equally many still have relatives living in these cities. The people-to-people links between Sumatra, and Medan in particular, have always been strong. Today, with direct flights linking Medan and Singapore, more tourists from our countries are visiting each other, increasing the interaction between the people of North Sumatra and Singapore.

6        Indeed, it is the amity between the peoples of Singapore and Sumatra that underpins the strong relations between our countries. I was happy to hear that people-to-people exchanges are indeed strong, and I hope this active contribution by the Singapore community here continues. To list but one example, the Singapore Consulate held an SG50 movie screening in February this year, which was well supported, especially by our local friends. It is good to hear that there is a strong interest in Singaporean culture in Medan. The Consulate will be planning an SG50 charity event later this year, perhaps a golf game or a run, and I hope that this event will have your support as well. The Singapore Consulate in Medan has also focused on contributing to the community. During the recent Mount Sinabung eruption, our Consul visited three Medanese villages to contribute to the rebuilding efforts. This was but one of the ways in which we have tried to reciprocate the warmth and hospitality of our friends here in Medan.

7        I shall not keep you much longer from the delicious spread prepared for you tonight. To all our Indonesian friends, thank you for joining us today for our Golden Jubilee celebrations. To all Singaporeans, a very happy SG50! I would like to end my remarks with a traditional pantun.

Kami datang dari Singapura

Hendak berkunjung ke kota Medan Indonesia

Singapura bukan hanya Negara tetangga

Tapi sudah seperti saudara tua dan serumpun

Kalau emas dikatakan suasa

Tentu kuningan seperti tembaga

Semoga Sumatera Utara - Singapura maju bersama

Karena kita satu keluarga

8        I wish everyone an enjoyable evening ahead. Thank you.

SPEECH BY MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS MASAGOS ZULKIFLI AT THE SINGAPORE CONSULATE IN BATAM’S NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION, WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2015

Bapak Muhammad Sani, Governor KEPRI

Bapak Soerya Respationo, Vice Governor KEPRI,

Fellow Singaporeans,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good evening.

2        In just four days’ time, Singapore will celebrate its 50^th National Day. I am delighted to be here in Batam amongst friends from Singapore and from Indonesia to celebrate this key milestone in Singapore’s history. It is certainly fitting for us to come together to commemorate this important “birthday”. That is, after all, what friends do.

3        Singapore-KEPRI ties go back a long way. I was reminded of this when I read the book authored and given to me by Pak Walikota Ahmad Dahlan, “Sejarah Melayu”. It was a compelling and insightful account which depicted the Johor-Sultanate, a bustling maritime power of the 17th century, of which Singapore and KEPRI were once a part of. Merchant ships plied the Singapore Straits for centuries bringing people and goods between the islands of Singapore and KEPRI. A typical journey then was fraught with peril, and could take anywhere between one or two days, depending on the prevailing winds and waves. Today, our links across the Strait remain strong, but with the old sailing ships and sampans replaced by fast ferries which traverse the busy waterway by the dozen each day, and in a mere 45 minutes.

4        There have always been frequent interactions between Singapore and KEPRI at all levels – from the top leaders through to the officials. Pak Gubernur Sani visited Singapore in October last year and brought along a high level delegation of officials who took the opportunity to have meetings with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Urban Renewal Authority and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore. Pak Speaker Jumaga will make an introductory visit to Singapore soon, and we look forward to hosting him. These exchanges are a testament to our strong bond and the continued importance which we place on engaging each other.

5        A key part of Singapore’s cooperation with KEPRI is economic in nature. Singapore and Indonesia established six economic working groups in 2010 as a way to institutionalise our bilateral economic cooperation. The “Batam, Bintan and Karimun” working group is the only region-specific working group within this bilateral platform, and was formed in recognition of the great potential that could be achieved between Singapore and KEPRI. Singapore remains the largest investor in KEPRI, making up 60% of foreign investments in Batam. More than 480 Singaporean companies operate in Batam alone. Singapore companies have had a long presence in KEPRI, with many of them having operated in Batam for over 20 years. Over a million tourists visited each other’s shores in 2014. During President Joko Widodo’s State Visit to Singapore last week, he announced that he would be looking to set up a “special office” to deal specifically with issues in the Batam, Bintan and Karimun Special Economic Zone. We welcome this positive move which is a sign of the President’s commitment to the development of the BBK.

6        But our bilateral ties extend beyond just economics. It is a multi-faceted relationship, ranging from health and maritime cooperation, through to culture and education. During President Joko Widodo’s State Visit to Singapore, President Tony Tan and President Joko Widodo witnessed the issuance of certificates to three graduates of the Technical Training Programme in Shipbuilding. This course was a joint effort between Batam Polytechnic, Temasek Foundation and Singapore’s ITE Education Services and is an example of Singapore’s commitment to sharing its experience with KEPRI not merely in capacity building, but in other fields as well. In October 2014, top KEPRI officials made a whirlwind working visit to Singapore to have meetings with our Maritime Port Authority, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Urban Renewal Authority and Economic Development Board. Singapore continues to be committed to conducting such capacity building exercises for KEPRI’s officials, and has trained more than 290 KEPRI officials in areas such as public administration and the English language under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

7        There is also a strong sense of being involved at the grassroots level. A community medical programme by Budi Kemuliaan Hospital (RSBK) and The Smile Mission from Singapore provided free cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to 43 needy patients in KEPRI. Such exchanges are key to fostering better understanding between both sides.

8        These are but a few of the examples that illustrate just how close the relationship between Singapore and KEPRI is. But I believe we can do much more and both sides should explore more avenues for cooperation for mutual benefit. And as Singapore celebrates its 50^th birthday, we should look to many more years of friendship and cooperation between Singapore and KEPRI.

9        I know you are all eager to tuck into the feast that has been prepared tonight, but I would like to make one last comment, and express my gratitude to the many Singaporeans who live or are frequent visitors to KEPRI. You are the day-to-day Ambassadors that have cemented the substance of the Singapore–KEPRI relationship. I was pleased to learn that Yayasan Radmila Children’s Home, an orphanage founded by Singaporean Chan Kwan Bian and supported by other Singaporean and Indonesian businessmen, is still going strong. In recent years, Singaporean schools and voluntary groups such as Temasek Polytechnic and Girls Brigade have organised visits to Batam and contributed significantly to Radmila. In November last year, Singaporean students from Millennia Institute worked with Veritas Primary School in Sungai Panas to provide meal rations for Veritas students and upgrade the school’s infrastructure. These efforts were supported by Singaporeans in Batam and are but some of the many ways in which we can express our appreciation to our hosts and friends here in KEPRI and I urge you to continue in your good work.

10      Allow me to conclude my remarks with a traditional pantun:

Selendang putri berwarna jingga

Tersentuh tangan halus terasa

Hati siapa tak kan berbangga

Kepri Indonesia maju bersama

Berlayar jauh naik perahu

Bertemu kawan di pulau Sambu

Kepri dan Singapura semakin maju

Semoga kita tetap bersatu

11      Happy SG50, and I hope you enjoy the night ahead. Thank you.