Singaporean Embassy clarifies
Singaporean Embassy clarifies
From Kontan
With reference to a report in Kontan No. 37/VII/June 16, 2003 under the title Mengungkap rahasia gelap Singapura (Revealing Singapore's secrets), allow us to clarify as follows:
Every year for the past 29 years, Singapore, through the Singaporean envoy in Jakarta, has handed over data on the trade between Singapore and Indonesia to Indonesia's foreign minister, coordinating minister for economic affairs and the industry and trade minister.
This year, our envoy in Jakarta handed over statistical data of trade directly to Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti (on April 21, 2003) and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan Wirayuda (on May 26, 2003). Our envoy is now seeking a schedule to see Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Soewandi in order to hand over to her the statistical data of the trade between Singapore and Indonesia.
Last year, our envoy handed over this data to Minister Rini on July 4, 2002.
Singapore has consistently notified Indonesia that it has no objection to Indonesia publishing the data that has been handed over to the relevant Indonesian ministers every year. Therefore, we were really perplexed when the Indonesian government expressed its intention to "seek international support to force Singapore to announce trade data", because Indonesia can freely publish the statistical data any time.
It is not surprising to us that there is a discrepancy in the trade figures maintained by each country. This is very common in the case of trade data of many countries. We calculate our trade figures on a basis different from what Indonesia uses. Therefore, when these trade figures are printed, a discrepancy is unavoidable. So, we would like to avoid such a misunderstanding. In the interest of good bilateral relations, the two countries agreed in 1974 to hand over bilateral trade figures.
Singapore will never condone smuggling. If there is strong evidence that Singaporean laws are being violated, we will investigate comprehensively and take stern measures against the perpetrators. Indonesia's efforts to eradicate smuggling in its territory by means of intensifying patrol activities will help reduce smuggling. We support these efforts.
WILLIAM TAN, First Secretary, Singaporean Embassy, Jakarta