National Day Message from Ambassador Edward Lee<\/p>\n
Formal relations between Singapore and Indonesia began with
\nthe establishment of a Singapore Liaison Office in Jakarta in
\nDecember 1966. Since then, Indonesia and Singapore have built a
\nlong history of friendship and cooperation based on mutual trust
\nand respect. Our strong relationship and shared interests have
\nenabled the people of the two countries to work together for
\nmutual benefit. It has promoted understanding and allowed
\nbilateral issues to be resolved amicably in a rational and
\npragmatic way.<\/p>\n
The regular exchange of visits by the leaders of Indonesia and
\nSingapore reflects our enduring friendship. In January 2001,
\nSenior Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited Indonesia. President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri visited Singapore in August 2001 during
\nher first overseas tour. Minister for Trade and Industry BG (NS)
\nGeorge Yeo visited Jakarta in January 2002. Deputy Minister and
\nMinister for Defence Dr Tony Tan is scheduled to visit in August
\nthis year. The exchange of visits has sustained the momentum in
\nthe relationship.<\/p>\n
Singapore was the third largest foreign investor in Indonesia
\nin 2001 with about US$23 billion worth of cumulative investments.
\nIn the first quarter of this year, Singapore was the third
\nlargest investor with investments worth US$82 million. Singapore
\nis also a base for marketing Indonesian products. In 2001,
\nSingapore accounted for about 10 percent of Indonesia's products
\nmarketed overseas, and together with Japan and the US, are
\nIndonesia's top three markets.<\/p>\n
Close economic cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore
\ndemonstrated in the joint projects in Batam, Bintan and Karimun
\ncombines Indonesia's vast resources and Singapore's
\ninfrastructure and expertise for the benefit of both countries.<\/p>\n
To this end, the Indonesian Government will re-invigorate the
\nRiau Development Coordinating Team (RDCT) to address the needs
\nand concerns of investors. The RDCT will be headed by Indonesian
\nMinister for Industry and Trade Ibu Rini Soewandi. Indonesia and
\nSingapore will also establish a Joint Working Group to review
\nregularly the investment environment in Bintan and recommend
\nimprovements. The Joint Working Group will address areas such as
\nsecurity, labor, taxation, customs and immigration, and other
\nissues affecting the investment climate. Bintan will be included
\nin the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement under the Integrated
\nTariff Initiative through which more than 100 categories of IT
\nproducts will be able to enter the US market duty free.<\/p>\n
Singapore has continued to work closely with Indonesia in the
\narea of human resource development. Indonesia is one of the top
\n10 recipient countries under the Singapore Cooperation Programme
\n(SCP). Since the establishment of the SCP in 1992, Singapore has
\ntrained 1,909 Indonesian officials in many fields such as the
\nEnglish Language, Healthcare, Finance, Banking, Environmental
\nManagement and Information Technology.<\/p>\n
Special customized courses and study visits such as on
\nhousing, accountability and capacity building were arranged at
\nthe request of the Indonesian Government.<\/p>\n
Five Indonesian students have been awarded the Singapore
\nScholarship to study at the National University of Singapore
\n(NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in academic year
\n2002. A total of 17 Indonesian scholars are presently pursuing
\ntheir undergraduate degrees in Singapore under the Singapore
\nScholarship.<\/p>\n
This is a Government-to-Government scholarship and scholars
\nare expected to return to their countries to work upon
\ngraduation. Nine other Indonesian students have been selected to
\nparticipate in the Singapore International Foundation-ASEAN
\nVisiting Student Fellowship (SAVSF) this year. The SAVSF was
\nestablished in 1992 to promote friendship among the tertiary
\nstudents of ASEAN countries through living and learning together.
\nParticipants of this programme spend a semester at the NUS or
\nNTU.<\/p>\n
Singapore and Indonesia enjoy strong and friendly defense
\nrelations. Interactions between the two armed forces have
\ncontinued despite the challenges posed by the economic crisis -
\ndemonstrating the strength and resilience of the relationship.
\nBilateral interactions between the TNI and the Singapore Armed
\nForces (SAF) through joint exercises, personnel exchange and
\nattachment programs have increased and fostered friendship
\nbetween members of the two armed forces. Our defense
\ncooperation, reflective of our strong institutional links,
\nextends to the joint TNI-SAF social service programs in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
ASEAN is the key institution that enables both countries to
\nmaintain close ties through a high degree of cooperation on
\nregional and multilateral issues. The years ahead will pose new
\nchallenges for ASEAN. Singapore will continue to work closely
\nwith Indonesia to contribute to the stability and well being of
\nASEAN, and to ensure that ASEAN plays a key role in the region
\nand in international fora such as APEC, ASEM and the WTO.<\/p>\n
Singapore has a vested interest in Indonesia's stability,
\ngrowth and prosperity. Indonesia has a strategic presence. Its
\ncontinued stability and economic development are vital to
\nSingapore and the other countries in Southeast Asia. As a close
\nneighbor and partner, Singapore will continue to work closely
\nwith Indonesia to further strengthen our relations and work
\ntowards our common interest of maintaining continued regional
\npeace, stability and prosperity.<\/p>\n
----<\/p>\n
FACT SHEET ON SINGAPORE<\/p>\n
Singapore became a fully independent and sovereign nation on
\nAug. 9, 1965. Singapore became a member of the United Nations on
\nSept. 21, 1965.<\/p>\n
Singapore consists of the main island of Singapore and some 63
\noffshore islands. It is situated between latitudes 1009'N and
\n1029'N and longitudes 103036'E and 104025'E approximately 137
\nkilometers north of the Equator. The main island is about 42
\nkilometers from east to west and 23 kilometers from north to
\nsouth. Singapore's total land area, including that of the
\nsmaller islands, is 659.9 square kilometers. It has a coastline
\nwhich is approximately 150.5 kilometers long. Singapore's
\nimmediate neighbors are Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia to the
\nNorth, Sarawak and Sabah to the East), Brunei Darussalam and
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Population<\/p>\n
The total population of Singapore, comprising Singapore
\ncitizens and permanent residents, was estimated at 4,131,500 in
\n2001. Singapore is a multiracial society. Malays form 14
\npercent of Singapore's population while Chinese and Indians make
\nup 76 percent and 8 percent respectively. Other races make up 2
\npercent of the population.<\/p>\n
Language & Culture<\/p>\n
The official languages in Singapore are Malay, Chinese
\n(Mandarin), Tamil and English. Malay is the national language and
\nEnglish is the language of administration. The Constitution
\nallows every person the right to profess and practice his
\nreligion and to propagate it. The main religions in Singapore are
\nBuddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.<\/p>\n
---<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-day-message-from-ambassador-edward-lee-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }