Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Singapore's 'authoritarianism' is at the root of a dispute with Indonesia over how to deal with alleged terrorists, says Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.
In a critical jab likely aimed at his domestic audience, Mr Hassan told The Jakarta Post in an interview on Saturday that Singapore's "authoritarian" government found it hard to understand Indonesia's reluctance to adopt its approach in fighting terrorism.
The reason was a difference in their approaches, he said, which was rooted in their respective state systems – "one based on democratic pluralism and the other on authoritarianism".
He said: "Our point of view is that in a democracy, everything should be done through clear legal processes. Authoritarianism is something that is already behind us – as our stance is clear in eliminating any subversive elements in the country."
But, on a conciliatory note, Mr Hassan welcomed Singapore's offer to facilitate direct investigations by Indonesia to confirm that links exist between two Indonesian suspects and members of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist group in the Republic.
He added, however, that Indonesia should be left to take its own course of action. "The burden of proof is on them – please give it to us, and we will cooperate," he said.
His statement follows similar comments by other Jakarta ministers and politicians who reacted defensively to Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's remark last week that terrorist suspects were at large in Indonesia. A Foreign Ministry source said Mr Hassan had complained that because the remark came from Mr Lee, it did even greater harm to bilateral ties.
The country's tourism industry also took umbrage at Mr Lee's remarks, expressing concerns that the perception that Indonesia was a haven for terrorists would further hurt an industry already suffering from a decline in visitors.
The head of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita), Ms Meity Robot, was quoted by the Antara news agency yesterday as saying: "The allegation will become a serious threat to our tourism business." She said tourism had already been hit by the protracted political and economic crises. Several countries had not lifted travel advisories for Indonesia, she added.
The head of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), Mr Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso, said: "Singapore's accusation might discourage foreign partners from promoting Indonesian tourism abroad."
A major hotelier told The Straits Times there had not been significant changes in the number of visitors since Mr Lee's remark was made last Sunday. But he said in the long run, it might dissuade Singaporeans and visitors from neighbouring countries from travelling to Indonesia.