Singapore denies discrepancy in trade data a result of smuggling
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Singapore denied on Thursday reports suggesting it had held back data on trade figures with Indonesia, saying the discrepancy between the data recorded by the country and Indonesia was caused by a different basis of calculation and had nothing to do with smuggling activities.
William Tan, First Secretary at the Singaporean Embassy here, said in a statement that the discrepancy was a common occurrence in trade data in many countries.
"We calculate our trade figures on a different basis from Indonesia. Therefore, differences in the data are inevitable.
"It was precisely to avoid such misunderstandings that in 1974, in the interests of our overall good bilateral relations, both sides agreed on a mutual arrangement regarding the handing- over of bilateral trade figures," he said.
Singapore has consistently informed Indonesia that it has no problems, should Indonesia decides to publish the data that the Singaporean government has handed over to the Indonesian ministers every year for the past 29 years, he added.
"Indonesia is free to publish the statistics at any time," he said.
He went on to say that Singapore, through its ambassador in Jakarta, had handed over data annually on its trade with Indonesia to the country's minister of foreign affairs, coordinating minister for economic affairs, and minister of industry and trade.
"This year, our ambassador in Jakarta gave the trade statistics personally to Coordinating Minister for Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti on April 21 and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda on May 26."
In addition, the Singaporean ambassador has also been seeking an appointment with Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi to present the bilateral trade figures.
Last year, the ambassador handed over the trade statistics to the minister on July 4, 2002.
Ministers Rini and Hassan voiced complaints during a press conference on Tuesday about Singapore's reluctance to reveal comprehensive data on bilateral trade.
Hassan acknowledged that Singapore once sent a diplomatic note on the bilateral trade data, but the note was categorized as confidential and the city state refused to discuss the matter in any formal forum.
The data supplied by Singapore showed a large discrepancy with that complied by Indonesia's Central Statistics Bureau (BPS).
In 2002 trade data for example, Singapore recorded non-oil exports to Indonesia amounting to US$2.25 billion, compared to $2.44 billion as reported by BPS.
Singapore also posted non-oil imports from Indonesia at $7.41 billion, as against $4.6 billion according to BPS data.
This has led to suggestions that the huge discrepancies provide evidence of rampant smuggling between the two countries, something that is strongly denied by Singapore.
"Singapore does not condone smuggling. Where there is evidence that Singaporean laws have been breached, we will investigate thoroughly and take action against the offenders," Tan said.
"Indonesia's attempts to eradicate smuggling in its own territory through more patrols will help reduce smuggling. We welcome such efforts."