News: The Straits Times -  13 November 2009


S'pore, Indonesia to hold leaders' retreat 
Close ties set to get closer as they agree to build on partnership 
By Lynn Lee, Indonesia Correspondent & Teo Cheng Wee, Regional Correspondent


(Picture: PM Lee welcoming Dr Yudhoyono at the Istana last evening. The Indonesian President and his wife arrived in Singapore in the afternoon and were greeted by President Nathan and Mrs Nathan at the Istana. He then met MM Lee before attending an official dinner for the Indonesian delegation hosted by PM lee and his wife Ho Ching. - ST photo)


IN A sign of their close ties, Singapore and Indonesia will hold a leaders' retreat here in the next six months to review their bilateral partnership.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the decision at an official dinner he hosted last night for visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Istana.

Both leaders agreed on their upcoming retreat when they held talks at the Istana yesterday. Four years ago, they held a similar retreat in Bali to discuss bilateral and regional issues such as the fight against terrorism.

During their discussion yesterday, they also agreed to find new ways in which both countries could build on their partnership and contribute to greater cooperation amongst their neighbours in the region.

PM Lee expressed confidence that Indonesia would take steps to become more attractive to investors, while both leaders also touched on the importance of regional integration within the framework of Asean.

Dr Yudhoyono, who was inaugurated last month as Indonesia's President for a second term, arrived in Singapore in the afternoon on an official visit ahead of the Apec meetings this weekend.

He and his wife Kristiani arrived from Malaysia and were greeted by President SR Nathan and Mrs Nathan at the Istana.

After catching up with Mr Nathan, Dr Yudhoyono met Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, and they had a wide-ranging discussion on global and regional issues, according to a statement from Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Capping the 2-1/2 hours of meetings was a five-course fusion dinner hosted by PM Lee and his wife Ho Ching for the Indonesian delegation.

Speaking before dinner, Mr Lee brought up the numerous instances in which both countries had cooperated in the last five years, from combating terrorism to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Ties between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Indonesian Armed Forces were 'close and remain an important element of our bilateral relations', he said.

Singapore's leaders were also close to their Indonesian counterparts, added Mr Lee, as officials from both countries who were seated together nodded and smiled in the warm lighting of the Istana banquet hall.

'The President and I are also never further than a phone call away,' he said.

Mr Lee also reflected on Dr Yudhoyono's decisive re-election - with 60 per cent of the popular vote in July's presidential polls - which analysts have praised as heralding greater stability to Indonesia.

'While voters in some countries opted for change, the Indonesian people voted resolutely for continuity. This reflected their confidence and trust in the President's leadership and vision for Indonesia in these challenging times,' said Mr Lee.

He also took note of the 'new faces' in Dr Yudhoyono's Cabinet, some of whom were at the dinner, such as Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Industry Minister M.S. Hidayat. Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, who were present, have been in the Cabinet for the last four years.

Dr Yudhoyono returned the compliments.

'I would like to tell all Singaporeans that we in Indonesia are happy and proud to be your partners,' he said.

The new faces he had brought along were all 'friends of Singapore' who would help strengthen the relationship between both countries, he said.

'I have come here to reaffirm my commitment to Singapore and Indonesia relations. I had good discussions with PM Lee and MM Lee and I'm glad we have made progress in resolving the border issues between both countries,' he said.

Dr Yudhoyono was referring to one of a handful of prickly bilateral disagreements that was recently resolved. Both countries agreed on the delineation of their territorial sea boundary on the western side of the Singapore Strait. Negotiations reportedly took five years.

He also spoke about the close economic partnership between both countries. Two-way trade amounted to $75.13 billion last year, a 13.2 per cent increase from 2007, and Singapore is helping Indonesia develop several special economic zones. Singapore is also a key investor in Indonesia, said Dr Yudhoyono.

'These investments are helping Indonesia attain our development goals and we appreciate that,' he said.

Dr Yudhoyono will give a keynote address at the Apec CEO summit today on achieving balanced growth. He will attend the Apec meetings and the inaugural US-Asean summit over the weekend before returning to Jakarta on Monday.


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