‘New and exciting’ collaboration opportunities for Singapore and Indonesia ahead: PM Wong

Both leaders also exchanged views on the wider global environment.

Mr Prabowo said: “We share the same view regarding the importance of maintaining regional and international peace and security amid an increasingly complex geopolitical situation.” 

Expressing deep concern over the situation in the Middle East, the Indonesian president stressed the importance of continuing to call for an immediate end to the violence in Palestine and Lebanon, for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid in the region, and for the achievement of a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel based on international law.

Turning to Myanmar, Mr Prabowo said he and Mr Wong had agreed to ensure that the five-point peace plan established by ASEAN in 2021 to help the country resolve its political crisis would be implemented.

Mr Wong said the world is “entering a more troubling era in global affairs … but Indonesia and Singapore share many common strategic perspectives of the world”.

Both Singapore and Indonesia “want to be friends to all”, to be “good neighbours” and also have close ties with both the United States and China, he added.

“We will both exercise active and independent foreign policies towards that effect, in order to achieve mutual benefit, mutual interest and importantly, peace, stability and prosperity for ourselves and for Southeast Asia,” said Mr Wong.

The prime minister added that both leaders hoped the strong bilateral ties between Singapore and Indonesia could “provide pathfinders to accelerate ASEAN integration and make for a stronger and more united ASEAN”.

“In this more complicated world, a strong ASEAN will serve us well and will help to ensure that the region is able to prosper and attract investments into Southeast Asia,” he told reporters.

Mr Wong concluded his speech by saying that he looked forward to welcoming and continuing his conversations with Mr Prabowo at the next annual Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat, which will be hosted by Singapore in 2025.

Before the two leaders met on Wednesday morning, Mr Wong laid a wreath at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta before travelling to the Istana Merdeka where he was received by Mr Prabowo.

Following a welcome ceremony conducted by members of the presidential guard and the Indonesian military, Mr Wong signed a guestbook and held meetings with Mr Prabowo and his ministers.

Mr Wong is being accompanied on his trip by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health Rahayu Mahzam.