PM Goh Chok Tong to visit Indonesia

PM Goh Chok Tong to visit Indonesia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is scheduled to visit
Indonesia on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, his first since President
Megawati Soekarnoputri came to office in July, 2001.

The two heads of government are scheduled to meet at the Bogor
Presidential Palace on Dec. 16.

An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on
Thursday that the visit was the follow-up to discussions at two
senior officials meetings (SOMs) held this year.

"The visit is a sign that Singapore is willing to discuss and
settle several issues between the two countries," the official
told The Jakarta Post on condition of anonymity.

Since the reform movement in Indonesia started in 1998, the
two countries have often been involved in diplomatic rows, with
no less than former president B.J. Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid
making harsh statements against the city-state.

Indonesia has always considered Singapore as reluctant to
discuss issues that economically benefit the city-state but harm
Indonesia such as the extradition treaty, illegal logging, sand
excavation and migrant workers.

Recently, terrorism also become another point of dispute
between the two governments, with Singapore saying that Indonesia
was too weak, while Jakarta considered them authoritarian.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda once
said Singapore and Indonesia had different state systems with
Indonesia being democratic and Singapore authoritarian.

At the past two SOMs, held in Singapore and Bali, the issues
became the main topics. The discussions also covered regional
issues such as terrorism and security.

"Those topics will be on the table during the bilateral
discussions between the delegations during the visit," the
official said.

Goh will have closed-door meetings with Megawati, prior to the
delegations meeting. The two are slated to issue a joint press
statement after the discussion.

The Prime Minister also will take a walk with the President
through the Bogor Botanical Gardens, where the two leaders will
exchange orchids.

On the second day of the visit, Goh is expected to meet Vice
President Hamzah Haz, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar
Tandjung and People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais.

The prime minister also will have a meeting with prominent
Muslim leaders such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim
Muzadi and Muhammadiyah chairman Syafi'i Maarif.