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