Nani Afrida, Jakarta – Indonesia and Singapore are working to improve defense relations after last year's spat over the naming of a Usman Harun Navy corvette.
A joint press announcement from Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu revealed the two nations would engage in joint exercises, joint patrols and regular dialogue.
"Both ministers are on the same page, that it is very important to maintain cooperation and friendship between Singapore and Indonesia," Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Djundan Eko Bintoro told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Ryamizard visited his Singaporean counterpart on Jan. 28, as well as several strategic companies. During the trip, the respective defense ministers discussed strategies for strengthening defense cooperation.
Djundan said both countries would work together to curb terrorism and piracy and to enhance disaster management.
On Monday, Singapore's Navy chief, RADM Lai Chung Han, visited Ryamizard to discuss implementation of the cooperation.
Navies from both countries have been discussing strategies for reducing piracy in the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.
Indonesian Navy chief of Staff Ade Supandi said the government was still reviewing the plan. "Both navies are still seeking new innovation to [spur] cooperation," he told the Post.
The new defense cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia is a hopeful sign after a last year's row.
In February 2014, relations between Singapore and Indonesia hit a new low after Indonesia named one of its Navy corvettes, an Usman Harun 359, after Second Sgt. Usman bin Haji Muhammad Ali and Second Cpl. Harun bin Said, who were executed in Singapore in 1965 after carrying out an Orchard Road bombing three years earlier that killed three and injured 33. Indonesia had previously named them national heroes.
The Singaporean government later canceled a bilateral meeting concerning defense cooperation. The Indonesian Defense Ministry retaliated by cancelling a plan to attend the Singapore Airshow.
Despite the deleterious effect on bilateral ties, Indonesia stressed it would not rename the ship.
Djundan said Indonesia found no problem in the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore. "If the relationship does not improve, we won't stop trying with this cooperation," he said.