Singapore 'baffled' by report on Jakarta's granite export ban

The Straits Times, March 10, 2007
By Azhar Ghani, Indonesia Bureau Chief


JAKARTA - THE conflicting signals coming out of Jakarta over a supposed ban on granite exports have baffled Singapore officials, who are seeking clarification on the issue.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry said yesterday it found a newspaper report quoting Indonesia's Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar as saying that Jakarta would ban the sale of granite to Singapore to be 'perplexing'.

An MFA spokesman said: 'We are baffled. It is all rather perplexing. Just a week or so ago, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and Trade Minister Mari Pangestu categorically told us that there was no ban on the export of granite.

'Now Minister Witoelar directly contradicts them. MFA will again have to ask the Indonesian Embassy to enlighten us.'

Yesterday, however, the Indonesian Environment Minister added to the confusion when he denied having said that Jakarta would issue a regulation banning the export of 'granite and materials' to the republic.

His denial was made before Singapore's MFA issued its statement in response to his earlier comments.

Wednesday's edition of the Batam Pos cited Mr Witoelar as telling reporters that the ban had already been approved by the Indonesian Cabinet and would soon be formalised.

But, in a reply to The Straits Times' query yesterday, Mr Witoelar said: 'It is not true that there is such a thing.'

Indonesia's Environment Ministry spokesman Dida Gardera also said that the minister was probably misquoted, and that a clarification from the daily was being sought.

The Batam Pos report quoted Mr Witoelar as saying: 'But this matter (ban on the export of granite and other materials) has been approved at the Cabinet coordination level.

'And it is requested that the export be stopped...so I appeal for the understanding of those for whom this causes losses.'

The portion within parentheses was added by the paper's editors.

Mr Witoelar reportedly also apologised to countries affected by the proposed ban, saying it had to be done to stem environmental damage.

A ban on granite exports would further hit Singapore's construction industry, which has been affected by a recent ban on sand exports.

Granite exports became an issue recently when their supplies to Singapore were disrupted after Jakarta launched what it said was an effort to thwart sand smuggling.

Since the sand ban took effect on Feb 6, the Indonesian authorities have stepped up checks on Singapore-bound barges, including those carrying granite.

Last month, the Indonesian navy reportedly detained 13 pairs of barges and tugboats for allegedly breaching the ban. Some of them were believed to be carrying granite.

Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo and Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang have contacted their Indonesian counterparts to raise the matter of the disruption in granite shipments.

Both Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and Trade Minister Mari Pangestu have clarified that there is no export ban on granite, and said they would check why the barges were detained.

Last week, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry delivered a third-party note to the Indonesian Embassy to confirm what Mr Wirajuda said about the granite ban and to ask the Indonesian government for immediate action to release the detained vessels.

But the granite exporters told The Straits Times that, to date, none has been released.