Indonesia and Singapore are forever neighbors, Indonesian Ambassador: We must complement each other

Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo. (VOI/Fauzi)

JAKARTA - Indonesia and Singapore will always be neighbors, so they must complement each other, not just competition, said the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo, Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch of the book "The Next Chapter: Envisioning the Future of Indonesia-Singapore Relations", Ambassador Tommy, as he is affectionately known, revealed that Singapore's investment potential in Indonesia is very large.

He explained that when President Prabowo Subianto visited the Lion Country, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Singapore had been the largest investor for Indonesia for a decade.

"One-third of Singapore's FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is invested in Indonesia," he said, quoting President Tharman's words to President Prabowo, while giving information to the media, Wednesday (17/12).

"The potential for Singaporean investment in Indonesia is very large. Now it's just what the Indonesian industrial policy will do, then what kind of investment is desired. As long as it is clear, then it will be conveyed to the Singaporean parties, they will definitely enter and invest in Indonesia quickly," he said.

President Prabowo during a courtessy call with President Tharman. (Source: BPMI Setpres)

He further explained that in addition to Indonesia's cultural knowledge of Singapore, whether Indonesia likes it or not, Indonesia is a country with great potential, abundant natural resources and a large market.

"Their entrepreneurs see this as another potential, plus political stability," he said.

Furthermore, Ambassador Tommy said, the second weakness of the two countries that often exists is about trust. He recalled, people-to-people contact between the two countries has long been running well and very strong, emulating President Suharto with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

"After the reform, the relationship became too formal. Culture is important. Personal relationships are very important, especially supported by mutual trust, mutual understanding, mutual benefit. If that can be done, the two countries are very amazing," said Ambassador Tommy.

"Because, for Singapore, Indonesia is a rival. Indonesia-Singapore relations complement each other. Now, how do we deal with it. Complementing each other is basically trust, personal relationships are far beyond formal relationships. Well, that's what we maintain," he said.

"If we look back, every time there is a problem at the state level, for example, PM Lee easily calls Pak Harto. If they meet face to face, really face to face, in a good atmosphere and mutual trust, good trust. It must be maintained," he recalled.

"Indonesia and Singapore will always be neighbors. Indonesia and Singapore must complement each other. Because, Singapore has advantages, good education system, good legal system, good logistics system, very strong financial system," he said.

"Indonesia on the other hand, we have a big market, a lot of natural resources," he added.

The Indonesian Ambassador said that if the two countries were suspicious of each other, the stereotyping of the two nations, it would only be a hindrance. So, how do we continue to build awareness to complement and trust each other.

"For five years I was in Singapore, how to build trust and confidence continues to be one of the things I continue to strive for. How? Meet, chat. talk. Because if we use apariori, prejudice, never meet, yes it will never be finished," he explained.

"How to build trust and confidence is what must be done. And it's not a one-time thing, not 1-2 days, it must be long-term," he continued.

"Indonesia and Singapore will always be partners. If we only compete, without ever cooperating, in the end it's just a matter of winning and losing. In fact, there are efforts that we can actually synergize, collaborate for both countries," added Ambassador Tommy.