AUG 24 – There will be no end to people pursuing wealth and prosperity. Singapore, too, pursues these goals. One of its main achievements is economic. The socio-economic status of the city-state with a population of almost four million is on par with that of the world’s richest countries.
Following its separation from Malaysia in 1965, an event that saddened Lee Kuan Yew, the country nursed the ambition of becoming a manufacturing hub, and subsequently a services centre as well. Attracting investors and tourists guides the country in its every policy and action.
Education is promoted – in fact, subsidies are granted to churn out intelligent and skilled citizens.
Nationalism and self-defence are other aspects that get enhanced, too, including national service and campaigns aimed at inculcating national pride. Singapore has among the most sophisticated weapons in the region. It is one of the respected countries that cannot be ignored in terms of military might.
Like it or not, Singapore is, in fact, one of the countries that Indonesia depends on and which Indonesians enjoy visiting. Indonesians make up the largest number of international visitors to Singapore. When they make trips to various parts of the world, most Indonesians fly Singapore Airlines.
Singapore is also the transit point for imports, exports and other socio-economic activities. It is the business capital and hub for the region, including Indonesia.
Singapore’s comprehensive and clear policy attaches importance to its own interests. This is only logical and all countries do likewise.
No matter how harsh the criticism and strong the hatred towards Singapore, it enjoys sovereignty.
However, if its policies overlap with those of another country, problems can at times or often do break out. Apart from Malaysia, Indonesia becomes the “victim” here.
Singapore’s arguments are strong with its anticipatory, visionary and tactical approach, if not “cunning”. Which country is not tactical or “cunning” when it concerns international relations?
Where “cunning” is concerned, Indonesia needs to understand and do the same. However, it is clearly way behind and loses out. This may be noticed, for instance, when Indonesia wishes to get its corrupt citizens “hiding” in Singapore extradited.
To conclude an extradition treaty, Singapore wants it to be complemented with a Defence Co-operation Agreement (DCA), which would essentially allow her to conduct military training in Indonesian territory with a relatively free hand. It is here that problems arise, because it involves sovereignty.
The oddity lies on the Indonesian side. After a process that was not made known to the public, the extradition treaty and the DCA were inked in Bali.
Subsequently, there were protests in Parliament, which subsequently declined to ratify the agreements.
What did Singapore have to say? “After the agreements were signed came the objections. In fact, after the signing, we partied and even had karaoke,” said Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo.
The agreements stalled, with Singapore putting the “blame” more on Indonesia. However, “Singapore made a new proposal for the agreements to be restored”, according to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. But Singapore insisted on treating the extradition treaty and DCA as a package.
“However, Indonesia chose to stand firm to this issue,” said PM Lee.
Apparently, the ball is now in Indonesia’s court. And the question is how could Indonesia be unaware of what was happening? How could Indonesia, or at least a handful of people in Jakarta, go through a process that ended with the extradition treaty and the DCA (being linked)?
Does the old position still obtain: that whatever the government does, Parliament is bound to approve?
In drawing up the extradition treaty, which was most probably based on international law, must a certain degree of Indonesia’s territorial “sovereignty” be sacrificed?
The conclusion is we are not ready and do not understand Singapore’s tactical and comprehensive strategy.
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