Indonesia-Singapore relations

I refer to the letter by R. Rais published in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 1 titled Singapore ties: No opportunity lost in response to the article RI-S'pore ties: Opportunity lost on Aug. 25 by AM Hendropriyono.

Rais' letter raises interesting issues. He accused Singapore of being a haven for criminals and contraband. However, it is well known that Singapore strongly enforce its laws which are held in high regard internationally.

Surely if the Indonesian government authorities have evidence of crimes being committed they have full recourse to Singapore's legal system.

Rais said that the export of sand to Singapore has caused environmental damage in Indonesia. Singapore is a strong advocate of environmental protection and fully support stronger Indonesian enforcement of its laws. If Indonesia's environment is damaged, as in the annual forest fires in Sumatra, Singapore as a close neighbor suffers the consequences.

Far from Singapore exaggerating the threat of terrorism in the Straits of Malacca, this concern has been raised by many countries including some of the Association of South East Asian Nations' (ASEAN's) most important dialog partners. The recent agreement to hold joint patrols by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore shows that the three countries are seized with this issue.

Rais' comment about the "dubious circumstances" of the 1991 water agreement is very strange. If an agreement solemnly entered into by two sovereign countries can be called into question in this way, what would be the value of future agreements?

BARRY DESKER, Singapore