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Singapore, Indonesia to work together to tackle terrorism, haze: MFA

Xinhua, November 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and his Indonesian counterpart agreed that it's important for the two countries to work closely to confront terrorism and to fight transboundary haze during Teo's working visit to Jakarta, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement Tuesday.

DPM Teo was hosted to dinner by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan on Monday. During the dinner, DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and Indonesia, and discussed a broad range of bilateral and international defence and security issues, according to MFA's statement.

DPM Teo and Coordinating Minister Luhut agreed that it was important for Singapore and Indonesia to continue the close cooperation in confronting security challenges, including transnational terrorism. They also agreed on the importance of implementing preventive measures early so that the fires and the resultant haze can be prevented in advance.

DPM Teo reiterated Singapore's readiness to assist Indonesia in its preventive efforts. Coordinating Minister Luhut expressed appreciation for Singapore's recent assistance to help combat the land and forest fires that resulted in the haze, said MFA.

Coordinating Minister Luhut said that the Indonesian government was committed to putting in place additional measures to prevent a recurrence of the fires and haze from next year onwards.

Both ministers acknowledged the longstanding ties and close cooperation between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces, which had been built upon decades of mutual trust, benefitting both countries. They also expressed the hope that the close cooperation between the two armed forces would strengthen further in the coming years.

Singapore was once again the top investor in Indonesia so far this year, and ministers also discussed the excellent bilateral economic relationship. They agreed that the two countries should explore additional ways to broaden and deepen the existing economic ties, said MFA in the statement.

Singapore's DPM Teo is in Jakarta for a three-day visit, he is expected to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday. Enditem