A show of solidarity<\/p>\n
We gladly welcome yesterday's agreement between Philippines
\nPresident Fidel Ramos and Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok
\nTong that the two governments should try to keep their bilateral
\nrelations on an even keel.<\/p>\n
It really gladdens us in that both Singapore and the
\nPhilippines, as founding members of the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN), have shown their political maturity and
\nwisdom in tackling the crisis arising from the hanging of Flor
\nContemplacion, a Filipina maid convicted of a double murder by a
\nSingapore court last month. In doing so, they are embracing the
\nbasic tenets of ASEAN unity.<\/p>\n
The agreement, obviously, signals that the ASEAN spirit and
\nsolidarity has prevailed after three weeks of strained relations
\nand a series of escalating rhetorical exchanges between the two
\ncountries in the wake of Contemplacion's execution.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN, whose other members
\nare Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei, has gone through
\nthick and thin to achieve its present position in the world
\npolitical arena. Hence, diplomatic rifts among its member
\ncountries would surely weaken the regional alliance's economic
\nand political cooperation, especially now that countries in the
\nregion have a more important role than ever to play in this era
\nof globalization.<\/p>\n
Ramos and Goh reportedly have also agreed that their foreign
\nministers will work out an arrangement for experts in forensic
\nmedicine to re-examine the remains of Delia Maga, whom Singapore
\ncourts say was murdered by Contemplacion.<\/p>\n
Although the two leaders have taken a good initial step toward
\ncalming the situation and toward stopping bilateral relations
\nfrom further deteriorating, there is still much that has to be
\ndone to restore the damaged ties.<\/p>\n
It is our sincere wish to see that the ties between the two
\ncountries return to normal soon, even if the two countries have
\nto work hard to achieve this.<\/p>\n
In the event that a mediator, or a third party, is needed to
\nhelp expedite the restoration of a cordial and warm friendship
\nbetween Manila and Singapore, we believe Indonesia will go to any
\nlength to undertake the task.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's request to the Singapore government in 1968 to
\ncommute the death sentence of two Indonesian marines, who were
\narrested and sentenced to death during the confrontation period,
\nwas also rejected. The execution was carried out just a few
\nmonths after ASEAN was set up.<\/p>\n
It is true that the incident sparked a major outcry against
\nSingapore, but the Indonesian government, under the leadership of
\nPresident Soeharto, went to great lengths to behave with
\nrestraint and to maintain bilateral relations with Singapore.<\/p>\n
The wisdom and maturity of President Soeharto, who believed
\nthen, and still does, that regional peace and stability is of
\nutmost importance to Indonesia's development efforts, has been
\nacknowledged by Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.<\/p>\n
Lee, who was then prime minister of the island state, said of
\nthe Indonesian president in 1986: \"His policies made it possible
\nfor ASEAN to become an organization for constructive and
\ncooperative relationships between members, and for the solidarity
\nof its members in meeting external problems.\"<\/p>\n
Given that the Indonesian President is the most senior
\nincumbent leader in the region, and in Asia as well, we believe
\nthat both the Philippines and Singapore will follow the example
\nof what he has done to maintain ASEAN solidarity and friendship.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-show-of-solidarity-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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