S'pore's deputy PM launches ISFA

SINGAPORE: Indonesian residents of Singapore as well as Singaporean citizens last month established a new association to strengthen the two countries' people-to-people contacts in the city-state, the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore said in a statement.

The Indonesia-Singapore Friendship Association (ISFA), a non- governmental organization, is aimed at improving contacts between the two countries. It will also focus its activities on education and socio-cultural fields.

"ISFA will focus on cooperation between the two countries in education and social cultural fields as part of second track diplomacy, which is the domain of the non-governmental players," the statement, which was sent to The Jakarta Post by the embassy, said.

ISFA was officially inaugurated by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan last month at Hotel Meritus Mandarin in Singapore. The inaugural ceremony was attended by around 600 people, including Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda and State Minister of Administrative Reforms Taufik Effendi.

ISFA will also begin offering Indonesian language courses, especially for Singaporeans. -- JP