MP: Prabowo–Singapore Foreign Minister Meeting Positive for Progress

Jakarta (ANTARA) – House of Representatives Commission I member Oleh Soleh said President Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan was a positive moment to strengthen bilateral relations and promote progress in both countries.

The meeting, held on Wednesday (28 October), is expected to produce understandings that benefit Indonesia and Singapore, particularly in the management of natural resources and trade.

“We view the bilateral meeting as quite positive for the progress of both sides. The House hopes it will have a positive impact in the future. Both countries should benefit equally, rather than one being disadvantaged,” Oleh told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said the meeting gave President Prabowo an opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which stipulates that natural resources must be managed for the greatest possible prosperity of the people.

Oleh added that natural-resource export governance needed attention to ensure Indonesia secures the maximum economic benefit from its natural wealth.

One issue he highlighted was Indonesia’s plan to increase direct exports without using intermediaries.

He referred to palm oil trading, saying the commodity was exported to Singapore before being marketed to other countries. This pattern could mean Indonesia misses out on some of the economic gains from the commodities it produces.

“Therefore, hopefully an agreed formula can be developed in the future. Singapore can understand the President’s policy, while the President remains committed to energy sovereignty in Indonesia,” he said.

President Prabowo received the Singaporean foreign minister at his private residence in Hambalang, West Java, on Wednesday (28 October).

The closed-door meeting took place after Vivian arrived in Jakarta and requested a meeting with President Prabowo.

Previously, Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir held bilateral talks with his Singaporean counterpart at Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday (27 October).

The talks covered several issues, including forest and land fires. Arrmanatha said the Indonesian Government was prioritising efforts to address the fires, whose effects extend to neighbouring countries.