MFA Press Statement: State Visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, 2 to 4 September 2014

          President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is on a State Visit to Singapore.

          President Yudhoyono, accompanied by his wife Ibu Ani Yudhoyono, received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana this morning, following which President Yudhoyono had separate meetings with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee also hosted President Yudhoyono and his delegation to lunch.

          President Tan and President Yudhoyono reaffirmed the strong relations between Singapore and Indonesia and had a wide-ranging discussion on issues of regional and international concern. President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee had a good discussion on the state of bilateral ties and the progress that has been made in various areas of our cooperation over the past ten years. Prime Minister Lee expressed his appreciation for President Yudhoyono’s strong support for the Singapore-Indonesia relationship and conveyed that Singapore looked forward to further enhancing our strong ties with Indonesia.

          President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee also witnessed the signing of the Treaty between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Singapore Relating to the Delimitation of the Territorial Seas of the Two Countries in the Eastern Part of the Strait of Singapore.  This is the second maritime boundary agreement which Singapore has signed with Indonesia under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Administration, with the first being the Treaty between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Singapore Relating to the Delimitation of the Territorial Seas of the Two Countries in the Western Part of the Strait of Singapore, concluded in 2009.  It is a demonstration of how Indonesia and Singapore have been able to work together in areas of mutual interest, and further underscores the excellent working relationship and bilateral ties between both countries.

          This evening, President Yudhoyono will be conferred the award of Order of Temasek (First Class) by President Tan. The citation for the award is attached.  Following the award conferment ceremony, President Yudhoyono and Ibu Ani Yudhoyono will be hosted to a State Banquet by President Tan and Mrs Tan.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 SEPTEMBER 2014

Citation

For the Order of Temasek (First Class)

H. E. Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

President of the Republic of Indonesia

President Yudhoyono was elected as the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia in the country’s first-ever direct presidential elections in 2004. He secured a strong mandate based on his track record as a distinguished senior military officer and Cabinet Minister in successive Reformasi-era Administrations. Five years later, he was re-elected with an increased majority.

During his ten years in office, President Yudhoyono consolidated Indonesian democracy, restored political stability, and fostered steady economic growth. He oversaw the recovery from the devastating Boxing Day tsunami, restored peace in strife-torn Aceh, and neutralised extremist jihadist terror groups. His Ministers reformed economic policies and strengthened state finances. In two terms, his administration lifted millions of people out of poverty. These are considerable accomplishments, especially in so diverse and complex a nation as Indonesia.

A politically stable and economically successful Indonesia has helped ASEAN greatly, both in terms of regional cooperation, and in the confidence and security this has created throughout the region. President Yudhoyono’s foreign policy has emphasised ASEAN unity, as well as engaging Member States and external partners as friends and equals. In international fora such as APEC, G20 and the UN, his initiatives and pronouncements have raised Indonesia’s stature and strengthened ASEAN’s voice in world affairs. When issues have arisen, President Yudhoyono has taken a wise, strategic view, safeguarding Indonesia’s interests but maintaining relations and preventing these issues from affecting the overall cooperation and friendship.

Singapore has benefited greatly from this positive regional climate. Indonesia is also one of our most important foreign partners. During President Yudhoyono’s tenure, our bilateral ties have deepened considerably. Our trade has grown, cooperation between the Indonesian military (TNI) and SAF is ongoing, and we work closely but quietly together on security and counterterrorism. We have also concluded two long outstanding boundary demarcations, one of which we have just signed today.

At the Leaders’ level, Singapore and Indonesia have maintained friendly and substantive exchanges through regular Leaders’ Retreats as well as discussions on the sidelines of other international meetings. The Leaders have set the tone for ministers and officials to work with their counterparts, for example through the six Working Groups, created to further cooperation in specific areas.

President Yudhoyono is the first Indonesian President in the Reformasi-era to complete two full terms. As he prepares to leave office, President Yudhoyono is actively working on a smooth hand-over to his successor. In so doing, he is establishing an important precedent for future political leaders in Indonesia.

In recognition of his valuable contributions to regional cooperation and stability, as well as the substantial and vital friendship between Indonesia and Singapore, His Excellency Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, is awarded The Order of Temasek (First Class),Singapore’s highest recognition for a foreign leader.

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