Indonesia–Singapore relations

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Indonesian-Singaporean relations
Map indicating locations of Indonesia and Singapore

Indonesia
Singapore
Diplomatic mission
Envoy
I Gede Ngurah Swajaya

Indonesia and Singapore established diplomatic relations (Indonesian: Hubungan Indonesia-Singapura; simplified Chinese: 印度尼西亚-新加坡关系; traditional Chinese: 印度尼西亞-新加坡關係; pinyin: Yìndùníxīyà-Xīnjiāpō Guānxì; Malay: Hubungan Indonesia-Singapura; Tamil: இந்தோனேசியா-சிங்கப்பூர் உறவுகள்)) on 7 September 1967,[1] a month after the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967. Indonesia and Singapore are two of the five founding members of ASEAN (including Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines). Both nations are also members of the Non-Aligned Movement and APEC.

Over the years, Indonesia and Singapore have maintained regular exchanges of high-level visits, underpinned by strong economic cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including health, defence and the environment. In the past decade, Singapore has consistently been Indonesia's top foreign investor.

2017 mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in a celebration event known as RISING50, an amalgamation of “RI” for the Republic of Indonesia and “SING” for Singapore.[2]

History[]

The relations between ancient Indonesia and Singapore dated back from the period of ancient kingdoms, the straits region was part of Srivijaya’s realm back in 7th century. The Nagarakretagama, a Javanese epic poem written in 1365 during Majapahit era, also referred to a settlement on the island called Temasek ('Sea Town' in Old Javanese, spelt Tumasik).

In the 1390s, a Palembang prince, Parameswara, fled to Temasek after being deposed by the Majapahit kingdom. During the 14th century, Singapore was caught in the struggle between Siam (now Thailand) and the Java-based Majapahit Empire for control over the Malay Peninsula. According to Sejarah Melayu, Singapore was defeated in one Majapahit attack. He ruled the island for several years, before being forced to Melaka where he founded the Sultanate of Malacca.[3]

In early 19th century, Singapore was under British control as Straits Settlements and later as Crown colony, while at the same period Indonesian archipelago gradually fell under control of Dutch East Indies Company and Dutch East Indies.

After the independence of Indonesia in 1945 and the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965, both countries opened bilateral diplomatic ties on 1966. In 1967, they founded ASEAN together with Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, to strive for peace and stability in the region. Formal diplomatic relations was established between Singapore and Indonesia on 7 September 1967.

50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations[]

The golden jubilee of Indonesia-Singapore diplomatic relations was marked by a series of events in August: A "four-eye" meeting between the two leaders, RISING50 book launch, joint commemorative stamps issue, tree planting at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The first ever combined flypast of 20 fighter jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) was also held, in a formation of the number "50". On the economic front, an investment forum was held and nine memoranda of understandings(MOUs) were signed, including cooperations in education and research, student exchanges, environment and energy.[4]

Trade and commerce[]

Located on the busiest sea lane in Strait of Malacca, serving as one of world's main hub, trade with and through Singapore is important for Indonesia to provide the link to trade with the rest of the world. Vice versa, Indonesian business is also important for Singapore. Trade and commerce is the main common motivation of both nations foreign relations, each counterpart are main trade partners of each other.

Indonesia-Singapore trade volume reaches S$36 billion (US$29.32 billion). Singapore is Indonesia's top foreign investor, with a cumulative total of US$1.14 billion in 142 projects. Trade between the two countries also hit around $68 billion in 2010. At the same time, Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports to Singapore are the highest in the region.[5]

Tourism[]

Singapore is Indonesia's number one source of visitors with 1,373,126 visitors in 2010.[6] Vice versa, Indonesia is also top source of visitors for Singapore, reaching 2,592,222 visitors in 2011.[7]

Other than business purposes, Indonesian visitors attracted to Singapore mostly for shopping, city sightseeing, and island resorts with its theme parks, zoos, museums and gardens. While Singaporeans attracted to Indonesia mostly for its nature and culture, Bali and neighboring Batam island are particularly popular among Singapore visitors.

Security, counter terrorism and border[]

On 3 October 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Bali, just two days after the Bali bombings. They agreed to strengthen the fight against terrorism and also discussed cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy and investment.[citation needed]

Territorial and environment issues[]

Relations with Indonesia are generally good, though current outstanding issues include the bans on the export of sand and granite,[8] both of which Singapore's construction industry is reliant on.

Singapore scarcity of land and spaces have led them to expand their island through land reclamations. The materials needed for reclamation, sands and granites, are mostly imported from Indonesia. The quarry of sands from Indonesian territories has raised concern over environmental issues.[9]

In August 2005, Singapore and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand aviation rights between the two countries.[10]

In June 2013, Singapore suffers the haze coming from slash-and-burn practice to clear plantation lands in neighboring Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia. The June 2013 haze hit the worst record, reaching the highest haze pollutant levels since 1997. The haze has prompted a health alert from the Singaporean government, angered Singaporean citizens and also caused some diplomatic tension as the Singaporean government protested Indonesia's tardiness at handling the issue and urged the Indonesian government to look for effective measures to mitigate the transboundary haze pollution occurrence.[11]

In addition, there has also been differences between both countries on the administration of the Riau Islands Flight Information Region (FIR). Singapore has generally claimed that it controls the FIR based on an arrangement made by the International Civil Aviation Organization, and that it is a matter of aviation safety and efficiency.[12][13] However, some past and present Indonesian officials have argued against Singapore's right to do so, and reasoned that the FIR is a critical determinant of Indonesia's air sovereignty and defense.[14] While the matter does not appear to compromise bilateral relations significantly, arguments from both sides are raised from time to time.

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Singapore establishes diplomatic relations with Indonesia - Singapore History
  2. ^ "RISING50: Celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore". 7 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Singapore – History". U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 18 June 2006.
  4. ^ "RISING50: Celebrating 50 years of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore". 7 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Yudhoyono Wants More Singapore Investors". Jakarta Globe. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Jumlah Kedatangan Wisatawan Mancanegara ke Indonesia Menurut Negara Tempat Tinggal 2002-2010" (in Indonesian). Statistics Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik). Archived from the original on 2013-09-23. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  7. ^ "Tourism Statistics Publications". Singapore Tourism Board. Retrieved 2012-04-29.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Indonesia may ban granite exports". ANTARA News. 12 March 2007. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009.
  9. ^ Levitt, Tom (11 May 2010). "The damage caused by Singapore's insatiable thirst for land". Ecologist. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. ^ Asha Popatlal (8 August 2005). "Singapore and Indonesia sign MOU to expand air links". Channel NewsAsia.
  11. ^ "Singapore hit by highest haze levels in 16 years". BBC. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  12. ^ hermesauto (2017-12-12). "Singapore responds to comments by ex-Indonesia air force officers over Flight Information Region". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  13. ^ hermes (2016-03-26). "Safety First in managing airspace". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  14. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber (2016-03-14). "Kejanggalan yang Sangat Amat Aneh bin Ajaib - Kompas.com". KOMPAS.com. Retrieved 2018-06-12.

External links[]

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