As part of his programme, Chan visited the Aceh Tsunami Museum and interacted with Singapore Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) representatives at an exposition at the event. He also met with senior Indonesian officials during the commemoration.
On the sidelines of the event, Chan said, “Singapore and Indonesia are close neighbours. We always stand ready to help each other in times of need. For example, Indonesia rendered us much assistance in the search and recovery efforts when SilkAir Flight MI185 crashed near Palembang in December 1997."
"Similarly, after the tsunami struck, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was placed on alert to render assistance to Indonesia. The SAF and the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) were able to carry out their missions quickly and seamlessly because of the long-standing special relationship between the two militaries at all levels. This relationship was built up over many years of close cooperation, regular exchanges and bilateral training,†he said.
Chan was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SAF. From 28 Dec 2004 to 25 Feb 2005, the SAF deployed about 1,200 SAF personnel to affected areas in Indonesia.
In addition, three Republic of Singapore Navy Landing Ships Tank transported more than 150 pallets and crates of relief supplies and equipment, while 20 Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft flew more than 600 sorties and 1400 hours, and transported about 500 tonnes of supplies and equipment.
Following the immediate post-disaster relief period, the Singapore Government, together with NGOs and fellow Singaporeans, contributed in various reconstruction projects in Aceh, such as the construction of the Meulaboh pier and the refurbishment of the Meulaboh General Hospital.
The Singapore Red Cross channelled almost S$57 million of donations from Singapore for the projects.
Editor: Tasrief Tarmizi
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
