Lee ends Indonesian tour

JAKARTA: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong completed his three-day trip here after meeting People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais on Wednesday.

Lee and his delegates held a closed-door meeting with Amien, who was accompanied by deputy Assembly speakers Sutjipto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Ginandjar Kartasasmita of the Golkar Party, Husni Thamrin of the United Development Party (PPP) and Oesman Sapta of the Regional Representatives Council.

In their joint media conference afterwards, Lee and Amien said they had discussed election preparations here as well as several bilateral issues.

According to Amien, Lee expressed hope that the elections would pass peacefully. "Whatever happens in the elections, it will affect neighboring countries," said Amien, who is set to be the presidential candidate from the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Lee also met President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz, chairpersons of PDI-P and PPP respectively. -- JP