Indonesian leaders’ statements ‘lacked sensitivity’, says Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE — The statements made by Indonesian leaders so far on their country’s naming of a warship after two convicted marines reflected “either a lack of sensitivity, a lack of care for the bilateral ties, or both”, said Second Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing today (Feb 7).

He added that he hoped the Indonesian government will not sacrifice the “carefully built up” relationship between Singapore and Indonesia to domestic politics or “through carelessness”.

In a statement, which was also posted on his Facebook page, Mr Chan said he was “disappointed” at the decision of the Indonesia government as well as the reactions of the Indonesian leaders who have spoken on the issue to date.

Mr Chan pointed out that relations between Singapore and Indonesia were carefully built up over many years. “Despite the dark episode of the Konfrontasi and MacDonald House bombing, our leaders Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Pak Suharto demonstrated great statesmanship to bring closure to the difficult moments and worked together to usher in a new era of cooperation for mutual benefit,” he said.

“I hope the new generation of Indonesian leaders will display similar wisdom and leadership to put the bilateral ties foremost in all that we do. And not to do anything to reopen old wounds and hurt this relationship.”

Mr Chan, who was the Chief of Army before he joined politics in 2011, said he had made many Indonesian friends over all these years, especially during his two year stint in Jakarta as the Army Attache. “Indonesians have shown me that they are able to appreciate the fine sensitivities of a relationship. I am thus disappointed with this episode,” he said.

Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said that while neighbours and friends “can and should forgive”, Indonesia’s move sent a clear message that “we should also never forget”.

He added: “It is one thing to remember your heroes from your wars of independence, or those who have built your nation. But it is another thing altogether when you celebrate those who had acted in a brutal and cowardly manner. There is nothing heroic about killing innocent civilians.”

“Our neighbours have insisted that it is their right to name the ships as they see fit. That may well be so. But it is also our right to state categorically that this very act reflects callousness and disrespect.”

Mr Tan revealed that his father used to work in MacDonald House and had a close shave on the day of the bombing. “He told me that he hardly ever took medical leave but happened to be off that day. When he heard the news over the radio, he was shaken but hugely relieved as the bomb had gone off in an area where he could have been at,” Mr Tan said.

He reiterated that apart from the three victims who died from the bombing, “many more Singaporean lives have been permanently scarred”.

“When Elizabeth Suzie Choo, 36, died, six young children no longer had a mother. Mr and Mrs Goh lost their only child when Juliet Goh, 23 died... Mohammed Yasin Kesit, 45, did not awake from his coma and left behind a widow and eight children,” Mr Tan said.