Susilo, Lee agree to boost fight against terrorism<\/p>\n
Wahyoe Boedhiwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Tampak Siring\/Bali<\/p>\n
Two days after powerful bombs hit Bali for a second time,
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singapore Prime Minister
\nLee Hsien Loong met there on Monday and agreed to strengthen the
\nfight against terrorism.<\/p>\n
\"This is a war that will continue for a long time,\" Lee told
\nreporters in a joint press conference with Susilo after the
\nbilateral meeting held at Tampak Siring Palace near Ubud,
\nGianyar, Bali.<\/p>\n
\"The terrorists do not recognize boundaries. ASEAN countries
\nmust work closely together -- exchanging intelligence, learning
\nfrom one another -- what works and doesn't work,\" he stressed.<\/p>\n
\"In this case, the President has publicly said that he was
\naware that something was wrong and that he had given a warning
\nthat terrorists were planning something in several locations,\"
\nLee said.<\/p>\n
The prime minister further said that precautions had been
\ntaken. \"But, probably the terrorists had to adjust their plan and
\nfinally they were able to let off the bombs,\" Lee said.<\/p>\n
Measures against terrorists must be strong, he added. \"We need
\nintelligence, we need support from people. When terrorists attack
\npeople, they will understand more and support the measure.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo said Indonesia and Singapore had seen progress in
\ndefense and counterterrorism cooperation.<\/p>\n
\"There is some progress in connection with an agreement to
\nformulate an extradition treaty. Some articles have been agreed
\non in the last five meetings,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
\"We will find solutions to any problems that arise,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The extradition treaty covers issues dealing with
\ncounterterrorism, money laundering and other transnational
\ncrimes.<\/p>\n
The bilateral meeting also discussed cooperation in the fields
\nof economy, trade and investment between the two neighboring
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is expecting that Singapore will increase its
\ninvestment in the country which is in line with our program to
\nimprove the investment climate,\" Susilo said. Currently,
\nSingapore's investment in Indonesia amounts to US$12.1 billion.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government, Susilo said, also invited other
\ncountries to increase their investment in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"I think conditions are progressing positively, especially
\nwith the establishment of Batam island as a free trade zone,\" the
\nPresident said.<\/p>\n
In the tourism and transportation sectors, Indonesia and
\nSingapore have plans to carry out joint tourism promotions. The
\ntwo countries have also agreed to work on maritime boundaries and
\nto improve air transportation cooperation.<\/p>\n
\"There is a 15 percent increase in seat capacity of Jakarta-
\nSingapore and Denpasar-Singapore routes,\" Lee said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/susilo-lee-agree-to-boost-fight-against-terrorism-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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