National Day Message from Ambassador Edward Lee

Fri, 09 Aug 2002

Formal relations between Singapore and Indonesia began with the establishment of a Singapore Liaison Office in Jakarta in December 1966. Since then, Indonesia and Singapore have built a long history of friendship and cooperation based on mutual trust and respect. Our strong relationship and shared interests have enabled the people of the two countries to work together for mutual benefit. It has promoted understanding and allowed bilateral issues to be resolved amicably in a rational and pragmatic way.

The regular exchange of visits by the leaders of Indonesia and Singapore reflects our enduring friendship. In January 2001, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited Indonesia. President Megawati Soekarnoputri visited Singapore in August 2001 during her first overseas tour. Minister for Trade and Industry BG (NS) George Yeo visited Jakarta in January 2002. Deputy Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan is scheduled to visit in August this year. The exchange of visits has sustained the momentum in the relationship.

Singapore was the third largest foreign investor in Indonesia in 2001 with about US$23 billion worth of cumulative investments. In the first quarter of this year, Singapore was the third largest investor with investments worth US$82 million. Singapore is also a base for marketing Indonesian products. In 2001, Singapore accounted for about 10 percent of Indonesia's products marketed overseas, and together with Japan and the US, are Indonesia's top three markets.

Close economic cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore demonstrated in the joint projects in Batam, Bintan and Karimun combines Indonesia's vast resources and Singapore's infrastructure and expertise for the benefit of both countries.

To this end, the Indonesian Government will re-invigorate the Riau Development Coordinating Team (RDCT) to address the needs and concerns of investors. The RDCT will be headed by Indonesian Minister for Industry and Trade Ibu Rini Soewandi. Indonesia and Singapore will also establish a Joint Working Group to review regularly the investment environment in Bintan and recommend improvements. The Joint Working Group will address areas such as security, labor, taxation, customs and immigration, and other issues affecting the investment climate. Bintan will be included in the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement under the Integrated Tariff Initiative through which more than 100 categories of IT products will be able to enter the US market duty free.

Singapore has continued to work closely with Indonesia in the area of human resource development. Indonesia is one of the top 10 recipient countries under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Since the establishment of the SCP in 1992, Singapore has trained 1,909 Indonesian officials in many fields such as the English Language, Healthcare, Finance, Banking, Environmental Management and Information Technology.

Special customized courses and study visits such as on housing, accountability and capacity building were arranged at the request of the Indonesian Government.

Five Indonesian students have been awarded the Singapore Scholarship to study at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in academic year 2002. A total of 17 Indonesian scholars are presently pursuing their undergraduate degrees in Singapore under the Singapore Scholarship.

This is a Government-to-Government scholarship and scholars are expected to return to their countries to work upon graduation. Nine other Indonesian students have been selected to participate in the Singapore International Foundation-ASEAN Visiting Student Fellowship (SAVSF) this year. The SAVSF was established in 1992 to promote friendship among the tertiary students of ASEAN countries through living and learning together. Participants of this programme spend a semester at the NUS or NTU.

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy strong and friendly defense relations. Interactions between the two armed forces have continued despite the challenges posed by the economic crisis - demonstrating the strength and resilience of the relationship. Bilateral interactions between the TNI and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) through joint exercises, personnel exchange and attachment programs have increased and fostered friendship between members of the two armed forces. Our defense cooperation, reflective of our strong institutional links, extends to the joint TNI-SAF social service programs in Indonesia.

ASEAN is the key institution that enables both countries to maintain close ties through a high degree of cooperation on regional and multilateral issues. The years ahead will pose new challenges for ASEAN. Singapore will continue to work closely with Indonesia to contribute to the stability and well being of ASEAN, and to ensure that ASEAN plays a key role in the region and in international fora such as APEC, ASEM and the WTO.

Singapore has a vested interest in Indonesia's stability, growth and prosperity. Indonesia has a strategic presence. Its continued stability and economic development are vital to Singapore and the other countries in Southeast Asia. As a close neighbor and partner, Singapore will continue to work closely with Indonesia to further strengthen our relations and work towards our common interest of maintaining continued regional peace, stability and prosperity.

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FACT SHEET ON SINGAPORE

Singapore became a fully independent and sovereign nation on Aug. 9, 1965. Singapore became a member of the United Nations on Sept. 21, 1965.

Singapore consists of the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore islands. It is situated between latitudes 1009'N and 1029'N and longitudes 103036'E and 104025'E approximately 137 kilometers north of the Equator. The main island is about 42 kilometers from east to west and 23 kilometers from north to south. Singapore's total land area, including that of the smaller islands, is 659.9 square kilometers. It has a coastline which is approximately 150.5 kilometers long. Singapore's immediate neighbors are Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia to the North, Sarawak and Sabah to the East), Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

Population

The total population of Singapore, comprising Singapore citizens and permanent residents, was estimated at 4,131,500 in 2001. Singapore is a multiracial society. Malays form 14 percent of Singapore's population while Chinese and Indians make up 76 percent and 8 percent respectively. Other races make up 2 percent of the population.

Language & Culture

The official languages in Singapore are Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English. Malay is the national language and English is the language of administration. The Constitution allows every person the right to profess and practice his religion and to propagate it. The main religions in Singapore are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.

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