MFA Press Statement: Visit by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman to Jakarta and Surabaya, The Republic of Indonesia, 13 to 15 March

Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman made a working visit to Jakarta and Surabaya, Indonesia, from 13 to 15 March 2018.

In Surabaya, SMS Maliki met East Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Speaker Abdul Halim Iskandar and the four DPRD Vice-Speakers. They affirmed the close people-to-people ties between Singapore and East Java and discussed opportunities for further cooperation in the economic and tourism sectors.

SMS Maliki also met media representatives and business leaders in Surabaya. They discussed ways to strengthen linkages between Singapore and East Java. In addition, SMS Maliki visited Airlangga University and Pesantren Mahasiswa An-Nur. During the visits, SMS Maliki engaged the students in a dialogue on Singapore’s development experience and the key role ASEAN plays in ensuring regional peace and prosperity.

In Jakarta, SMS Maliki met Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs A.M. Fachir, Jakarta Vice-Governor Sandiaga Uno, Special Envoy for Interfaith Dialogue and Civilisation Affairs Din Syamsuddin, and Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir. SMS Maliki also met young politicians, intellectuals and business leaders.

SMS Maliki and Vice-Minister A.M. Fachir reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Indonesia. They agreed that Singapore and Indonesia should continue to build on the progress made in bilateral relations since the 2017 Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism issues and sharing best practices to combat extremism.

Vice-Governor Sandiaga Uno updated SMS Maliki on the Jakarta Administration’s priorities, and its ongoing preparations for the 2018 Asian Games. SMS Maliki and Vice-Governor Sandiaga agreed that Singapore and Jakarta should continue to share experiences and best practices in developing urban solutions for sustainable and liveable cities.

  Special Envoy Din Syamsuddin and SMS Maliki affirmed the importance of interfaith dialogue in fostering social cohesion. Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir and SMS Maliki exchanged views on community engagement to promote trust and understanding within societies.

SMS Maliki concludes his trip today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE 

15 MARCH 2018