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.