In response to media queries about the Jakarta Post report of 3 March 2007 quoting the Maritime and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi as saying: "Politically, we banned the export of sand because we wanted it to have a larger economic value and we also want to settle our border disputes with Singapore", the MFA Spokesman said:
"Minister Freddy Numberi's comments are puzzling and disappointing. They clearly contradict categorical assurances we had received in public as well as in private from Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda that there was no linkage between the ban on the export of land sand and bilateral issues. Uncertainty over who speaks for Indonesia is not helpful. MFA will therefore ask the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore to urgently clarify whether Minister Numberi's comments represent the official policy of the Indonesian Government."
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
4 MARCH 2007