According to Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore who has just been inaugurated on December 21, 2011, Andri Hadi, Indonesia-Singapore relation in entering the 21st century is expected to be able to build a stronger friendship.
Andri said that Singapore is a friendly country and one of the nearest neighboring country that has significant meaning for Indonesian national interest.
"Geographically, the two countries have a direct border, thus promote the establishment of relations and cooperation in various fields," Andri Hadi told ANTARA.
But on the other hand, the geographical proximity also poses many challenges that can directly affect Indonesian national interest, he said.
"Geographical proximity is also often raises frictions due to divergence of interests that could potentially be a hurdle even a interruption to our bilateral relationship if not addressed immediately," he said.
Andri said that Indonesian Ambassador of Singapore also need to act as the government`s eyes and ears to detect any thing that occurred in Singapore and to be addressed carefully.
It is intended that all these things that became Indonesia`s national interests can be well protected, and can be further promoted, as well as taking concrete steps in the development of new cooperation opportunities of mutual benefit based on the principle of equality and mutual respect.
Andri also stated that in terms of national interests, the close, balanced, productive and mutually beneficial bilateral relations also needed and should continue to be pursued,
"Especially in order to create a supportive external environment for development Indonesian national purposes," he said.
The Indonesian embassy in Singapore and its entire staff have an important role as the spearhead of strengthening diplomacy and cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore in terms of struggle for national interests.
In accordance with the 2010-2014 National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), Indonesian Government states that one of the priority focus of increasing diplomacy and international cooperation is the "Consolidation of Strategic Partnership in the Aspasaf Area (Asia-Pacific and Africa) and Amerop (America and Europe)".
Vision and mission
Andri also describes his vision in the term of his official duty (2012-2014) as Indonesian ambassador to Singapore, covers areas such as the Political and Security, Economic, Socio-Cultural and the Protection of Indonesian citizens and Legal Entities ).
In the field of Political and Security Affairs, Andri confirmed to continue to maintain support for the Singapore Government on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, formal or informally improve communication and relationships between officers and members of both countries parliaments.
Then to continue and strengthen the legal and police cooperation, among others, to provide optimum protection to Indonesian citizens in Singapore as well as in efforts to return individuals wanted by the Government of Indonesia.
Besides, the Embassy also helps promote measures to support the process of follow-up enforcement of extradition treaties and agreements DCA (Defense Cooperation Agreement)
Also the embassy is to encourage the acceleration of the process of resolving Indonesia-Singapore maritime boundary?s delimitation negotiations in Eastern of the Singaporean Straits segment.
Maintaining and enhancing security cooperation between the two countries, including joint military exercises and patrols in the Malacca Straits as well as maintain and enhance cooperation training and education for military officers of both countries.
While in Economic sector, Andri said that as the representative of Indonesia in Singapore that the embassy will strive to increase trade volume between the two countries, particularly the export value of Indonesia to Singapore, including the increase in exports of agricultural products for Singapore domestic consumption needs.
Encourage the optimization of the Batam, Bintan, Karimun (BBK) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) which is potential as a business development area and business relocation target for a number of multinational companies in Singapore.
Not to mention to leverage Singapore`s strategic location as a transportation hub and popular tourist destinations in Asia in order to encourage an increasing number of foreign tourists to Indonesia.
Increase synergies programs in promotional form of Tourism Trade and Investment (TTI) with the local business association partners for the implementation of business trips, business meetings, seminars, or networking session.
For Socio-cultural field, the Indonesian embassy will also increase the People-to-people (P2P) contacts to strengthen the image of Indonesia in Singapore and bridging both countries people`s common interests.
"This may be done through the utilization of a number of new opportunities, such as human resource development, scholarships, student and youth exchanges, cooperation among institutions of culture and education in the form of inter-university research and sister schools," he said.
Then the embassy also expected to enhance cooperation in the health field including cooperation between hospitals and hospital management, also to promote soft-power Indonesia in Singapore through the annual promotion of Enchanting Indonesia, Gastrodiplomacy (traditional food diplomacy) , and the development of Indonesian Cultural Centre and library at the Embassy.
In the field of citizen protection Andri said that the embassy would carry out various activities to provide services for citizens and entities residing and working in Singapore, such as improving the quality, effectiveness, accountability of services and protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entity in Singapore.
Improving the protection of migrant workers, such as by providing 24-hour hotline facility that is is ready to accommodate a variety of public complaints that needs to be measures can be responded promptly.
The embassy will also provide temporary shelter at the Embassy adequate for troubled informal sector workers and case settlement through the provision of legal aid.
"In this regard, the Indonesian Embassy to Singapore and all staff have an important role as the spearhead of strengthening diplomacy and cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore in terms of struggle for national interests," he said
Andri also asserted that the implementation of this vision would require a strong support and close cooperation with various parties and stakeholders in Indonesia, particularly the House of Representatives Commission I.
(T.A050/H-NG/O001)
Reporter: Ageng Wibowo
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
