JAKARTA - Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong hopes that more direct flights between Singapore and various regions in Indonesia will be carried out. Connectivity is considered important so that relations between the two countries are not only alive at the negotiating table.
The statement was made by Wong during a joint statement with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, July 6.
Wong said President Prabowo and he agreed to deepen relations between communities. According to the Singapore Prime Minister, the relationship between the two countries' citizens is the main foundation of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore.
"President Prabowo and I agree to continue to deepen relations between people because that is the main foundation of our bilateral relations," said Wong.
One form of connectivity is seen from the opening of the direct flight route from Singapore to Pontianak, West Kalimantan. Wong said the route was only opened last week.
"Our airline just opened a direct flight route between Singapore and Pontianak, West Kalimantan, last week," said Wong.
He hopes that direct routes to other regions in Indonesia will also increase. According to Wong, direct flights can encourage tourism, business travel, and community interaction.
"We hope that there will be more direct flights to various regions in Indonesia," said Wong.
Wong also touched on the Garuda School Program initiated by President Prabowo. He said the program had been running well and Singapore wanted to encourage more exchanges with Garuda School.
"We want to encourage more exchanges with the Garuda School so that the younger generation of the two countries can learn from each other," said Wong.
In April this year, said Wong, a number of Singaporean universities received visits from Taruna Nusantara high school students from Central Java. They plan to make a return visit next month.
Wong assessed that such exchange programs build friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.
According to Wong, the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore is not enough to be supported by trade and investment. The relationship also needs to be maintained through education, travel, business, and direct meetings between people.
"Programs like this build friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries' people," Wong said.
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