Singapore downplays Indonesia allegations<\/p>\n
By Raj Rajendran<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore likes to punch above its weight
\nin world affairs, but for now the city state is avoiding a
\nscuffle with its huge, restive neighbor, Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Stung by Indonesian accusations that it is a racist speck on
\nthe map -- extraordinary slurs by Southeast Asia's polite
\nstandards -- Singapore has turned the other cheek.<\/p>\n
Indonesian President B.J. Habibie has recently launched a slew
\nof criticism at the island nation, including accusations of
\ninstitutional prejudice against its ethnic Malay minority.<\/p>\n
But political analysts say the tiny republic is unwilling to
\nundo traditionally firm ties with Indonesia, which have
\ncontrasted with the often testy relationship with Malaysia.<\/p>\n
"Singapore's strategy is 'We don't put all the eggs in one
\nbasket'," said political scientist Lee Lai. "Our hope is that
\n(Habibie) would get to know Singapore better."<\/p>\n
Singapore enjoyed almost 30 years of cosy ties with Jakarta
\nunder former Indonesian president Soeharto, but the mood soured
\nwhen Soeharto quit last May in the face of massive civil unrest.<\/p>\n
Initial confusion followed the upheaval in Jakarta but it is
\ngiving way to an open-arms policy aimed at preserving the
\ngoodwill that characterized past relations.<\/p>\n
Lee said Singapore could expect Habibie's stance to soften
\nafter the country's parliamentary elections in June. "It's
\nsomething not aimed at Singapore but aimed at home," Lee said.<\/p>\n
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has backed away from
\nthe fray.<\/p>\n
"What we hope to do in Singapore is try to avoid being a party
\nin their (Indonesia's) own domestic elections," he was recently
\nquoted in the pro-government Straits Times as saying.<\/p>\n
"We will, therefore, say the minimum so as not to cause any
\nprovocation whatsoever," he said.<\/p>\n
But experts caution that Indonesia's moves towards democracy
\ncould complicate relations, as Singapore assesses where the nexus
\nof power in Jakarta will be into the next century.<\/p>\n
"We were looking at one of the most stable relationships in
\nSingapore's international relations," said Simon Tay, chairman of
\nthe Singapore Institute of International Affairs.<\/p>\n
"That relationship was based on a particular regime and with
\nchange... we have seen a situation where we are not clear as (to)
\nwho speaks for Indonesia," he added.<\/p>\n
Singapore has received visits from Dewi Fortuna Anwar, special
\nadviser to Habibie, and opposition Muslim figurehead Amien Rais.
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, a vocal opponent of the government, is
\ndue to speak in Singapore next week at a government-sponsored
\ndefense seminar.<\/p>\n
Despite the current flux, strong economic and defense ties
\nbetween the two neighbors will help paper over the cracks.<\/p>\n
Last August the air forces of the two countries opened a joint
\npermanent training facility in Pekanbaru in Sumatra.<\/p>\n
In January Singapore and Indonesia's state oil monopoly,
\nPertamina, signed a S$8 billion (US$4.6 billion) deal for the
\nsupply of gas for 22 years from the West Natuna gas fields.<\/p>\n
"(The gas deal) was seen as an example of Singapore tilting
\ntowards Indonesia rather than Malaysia for its natural
\nresources," said Melina Nathan, an associate research fellow at
\nthe Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies.<\/p>\n
Singapore officials said the gas deal could serve as a model
\nfor an agreement on water -- a precious resource and a sensitive
\ntopic for Singapore, which is supplied mostly by Malaysia.<\/p>",
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