ABRI warmly welcomes S'pore humanitarian aid
ABRI warmly welcomes S'pore humanitarian aid
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) said it appreciates
Singapore's S$12 million (US$7 million) in humanitarian aid,
claiming it is immaterial the assistance was extended nearly a
year into Indonesia's severe crisis.
ABRI spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said Armed Forces'
view of the aid was officially recorded in a meeting between
Minister of Defense and Security Affairs/Armed Forces chief Gen.
Wiranto and visiting Singapore Minister of Education and Second
Minister for Defense Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean here yesterday.
"ABRI is not bothered whether the humanitarian aid was late or
not," Syamsul replied to reporters' questions.
"We are grateful for the Singapore government's attention to
Indonesia, which is experiencing an economic crisis.
"It will be an unforgotten historical event which sees
Singapore helping Indonesia," he quoted Wiranto as saying.
Wiranto's statement appeared in stark contrast to earlier
published comments of President B.J. Habibie, who implied that
Singapore was not doing its share to help its neighbor.
In an interview published Tuesday by the Asian Wall Street
Journal, Habibie lamented Singapore's seeming indifference to
Indonesia's suffering.
"You see, a friend in need is a friend indeed," Habibie said.
"I don't have that feeling from Singapore.
"I have that feeling from the U.S., from Japan, Australia,
mainland China, from Malaysia, from Europe, Germany. But I don't
have that feeling (from Singapore).
"They (Singapore) are proactive in the negative direction, and
that, I feel sorry for."
Syamsul denied the aid was a catch-up measure by Singapore in
response to Habibie's complaint.
"No, it has nothing to do with the President's statement. The
deal between the Indonesian Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed
Forces started a month ago."
After meeting with Teo at the Armed Forces headquarters
yesterday, Wiranto immediately went to the Bina Graha
presidential office to brief Habibie.
The first delivery of the aid is due to arrive at Halim
Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at 7:30 a.m. today.
The aid will comprise $10 million in the form of 21 tons of
food supplies and another $2 million in medical supplies.
Syamsul said the food and medicine would be given to 1.9
million families in 225 regencies and mayoralties scattered
throughout's the nation's 27 provinces. (imn)