Let pragmatism rule in Indonesia - Singapore ties

The Straits Times, April 14, 2007
By Sabam Siagian

BUMPS IN RELATION: Both sides should conduct a comprehensive evaluation to smoothen bumps such as Indonesia's export of sand and granite to Singapore.





IN FOREIGN relations, it seems like Indonesia would rather be preoccupied with big and complicated international issues than work on stabilising relations with neighbouring countries such as Singapore.

(The widely circulated local paper Kompas, in its April 4 edition, splashed two headlines on the front page. 'President offers solution for Iraq' was the lead. The other story was 'Indonesia and China agreed on military cooperation', which was a report on the visit of the Ministry of Defence's secretary-general, Lieutenant-General Sjafrie Sjamsoedin, to Beijing, which was covered by the daily's chief editor, Suryopratomo).

In actual fact, from the aspect of concrete national interest, strengthening of relations with Singapore should be given priority.

Indonesia should, in fact, take advantage of Singapore's rapid development. Singapore, with its population of around 4.5 million (including permanent residents), has emerged as a modern economic force, especially in financial services, telecommunications and international air transportation.

An example which may appear trivial when compared to the efforts to foster peace in Iraq or efforts to establish military cooperation with the People's Republic of China (PRC) surfaced during my conversation with Ambassador Wardana, the head of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. He had served as a consul-general in Sydney.

Mr Wardana mentioned that the total number of Indonesian domestic maids working in Singapore has reached about 75,000! And soon, the figure will probably exceed that of domestic maids from the Philippines.

Manila has set a minimum wage of US$400 (about S$600) for maids from the Philippines, when the average wage of domestic maids is around S$300.

Indeed the quality of workers or domestic helpers from Indonesia must be upgraded, especially their ability to converse in simple English, hygiene, meticulousness and punctuality. They are also not accustomed to living in apartments, with the restrictions.

The Indonesian Embassy has provided telephone numbers, similar to a 'hotline' which operates 24 hours to handle complaints from Indonesian workers and maids should they encounter any problems. Perhaps non-governmental organisations (NGOs), both in Indonesia and Singapore, could play a meaningful role by paying attention to the interests of these workers and maids from Indonesia.

Ambassador Wardana also related that around 10,000 seamen stay in Singapore temporarily while awaiting new assignments on board another ship.

One can imagine the administrative and legal burdens that the Indonesian Embassy has to bear.

We were pleased to hear that Mr Wardana, being the chief Indonesian representative, has reduced the fee for passport extension, shortened processing time and introduced improvements to facilitate the dealings of Indonesians with the Indonesian Embassy.

However, with regard to the Indonesia-Singapore bilateral relationship, many issues still need to be resolved. There are problematic issues which have persisted for many years, to the extent that the question must be asked: What actually is the wedge between the two countries?

On another front, there appears to be the desire to engage in mutual assistance. For example, the Special Economic Zone is believed to be able to boost Indonesia's economic growth. Singapore is ready to become a working partner. This means that technological expertise, management support and investments will come from Singapore.

When Mr Edward Lee was Singapore's Ambassador to Jakarta, he pushed hard for the Special Economic Zone which encompasses Batam, Bintan and Karimun. This zone was officially launched by Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Of course, numerous problems will have to be addressed before the zone can develop optimally. And these efforts require attention and good decisions from both Jakarta and Singapore.

Meanwhile, the 'radio wave' of relations between the two governments is occasionally bumpy. A stark example is the export of sand and granite to Singapore. These building materials are needed for the rapid construction works that take place practically day and night in our neighbouring country.

The sand export issue to Singapore has gone through various twists and turns in its long history, so much so a diligent young expert could write a dissertation on this to acquire a doctorate in international law or international trade.

In 1997, Malaysia banned sand exports to Singapore and so the island state had to rely on sand imports from Indonesia. Since then, Singapore has been importing an estimated six million to eight million tonnes of sand a year from Indonesia.

Starting from February 2002, Jakarta stopped sand exports, but gave special permission to several parties.

Commencing in March 2003, Jakarta banned sand exports to Singapore because they were considered as a threat to environmental preservation.

The former Prime Minister, now Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who usually adopts a friendly stance towards Indonesia, said that Singapore could not just depend on one source for the supply of important commodities such as water, sand, granite and natural gas.

And in the Singapore Parliament, the idea for Singapore to build strategic stockpiles of important commodities, such as sand and granite, was raised.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo made a goodwill visit to Myanmar, a state ruled by a military junta. Myanmar is already considered a pariah state by a majority of the international community.

Last Wednesday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement on the meeting at the new capital Naypyidaw. In the meeting between Foreign Minister George Yeo and Lieutenant-

General Thein Sein, who is the First Secretary of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, Singapore was promised long-term supply of sand, granite and cement. The Straits Times published a photograph of their meeting and Mr Yeo was seen smiling cordially while shaking hands with the lieutenant-general.

Whether sand and granite are imported from Indonesia, which is democratic, or from Myanmar, which is fascist, to Singapore, it is basically the same, except for the difference in transportation cost.

It should be admitted that this development indicates a decline in the quality of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore. Both sides should conduct a comprehensive geopolitical evaluation.

Indonesia, with its various government institutions and legislative bodies, should acknowledge the position and role played by modern Singapore (with GDP of US$107 billion (S$160 billion) and a total population of almost 4.5 million), for us who are determined to take a quantum leap within a short period of time.

It is clear that Singapore's role is very important in every future plan that Indonesia has, be it Vision 2030 or others.

This means that pragmatism at all levels should overcome the psychological barrier that is still posing as a stumbling block (This could be because of the stark difference: Singapore's per capita GDP is almost US$25,000 compared to Indonesia's per capita GDP of US$1,160 - Source: The Economist, London).

Singapore, with its numerous research institutions, should understand the social psychology of its neighbours based on history, social and political factors.

Subsequently, it should plan a conceptual approach, without appearing as merely 'wanting to obtain gains for itself'.

The case of Temasek (Singapore's strategic investment arm) in Thailand which acquired a huge stake in former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family telecommunications company, shows that what is thought as rational at the headquarters apparently has a negative impact in the field.

Previously, seminars and conferences on Indonesia-Singapore relations were held periodically and were attended by experts, politicians and media editors.

Such meetings, which appear more like casual gatherings, are indeed beneficial in understanding the views and feelings of the respective parties on various bilateral issues. Perhaps such meetings should be organised again.

Even though it is not easy, Indonesia and Singapore should work hard to foster stable cooperation in various crucial areas so that both can move forward together for the sake of a peaceful and prosperous South-east Asia.

The writer is an observer of regional developments in South-east Asia. The original of this translated commentary appeared in Suara Pembaruan (Voices of Renewal), a Bahasa Indonesia daily in Indonesia.



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PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER

'It is clear that Singapore's role is very important in every future plan that Indonesia has. This means that pragmatism at all levels should overcome the psychological barrier that is still posing as a stumbling block.'