Singapore upgrades diplomatic representation in Medan, Batam

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s Consulate in Medan was upgraded to the status of Consulate-General on Tuesday (Aug 29) in a ceremony officiated by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, as the city-state deepened cooperation with Indonesia at the regional level.

Dr Balakrishnan will also officiate the upgrading of Singapore’s Consulate in Batam to the status of Consulate-General on Wednesday (Aug 30).

Speaking at a National Day reception in Medan on Tuesday, Dr Balakrishnan said the upgrading of the Consulate in Medan “symbolises Singapore’s commitment to deepen our engagement with North Sumatra and also our partners in the other provinces including Aceh, Jambi, South Sumatra and West Sumatra”.

Earlier in the day, he met key provincial leaders and hosted lunch for Medan-based entrepreneurs.

The announcement to upgrade both consulates was first announced by Dr Balakrishnan during the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament in March. It also coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Singapore this year.

The upgrading will facilitate Singapore’s increased engagement in the North Sumatra — where Medan is the capital — and Riau Island provinces on political, economic and consular matters.

It will also give the heads of the consulates greater level of access to engage a broader range of government and private sector entities in Indonesia.

The upgrade will also help to facilitate more frequent, high-level political exchanges, open more doors for Singapore businesses, as well as continue to provide prompt and effective consular assistance to Singaporeans in Indonesia.

Singapore first set up its consulate in Medan in 1972 to explore closer cooperation between Singapore and Sumatra. Since then, Singapore is the top foreign investor in North Sumatra, with a cumulative realised investment of nearly US$1.59 billion (S$2.15 billion) in 2016. Singapore companies are active in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and energy in North Sumatra.

Meanwhile, Singapore and Indonesia on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the Republic’s Attorney-General’s Chambers and its counterparts in Jakarta.

The agreement provides a framework for a range of activities. These include training, the exchange of experiences and information on applicable laws, procedures and policies. 

It also provides for the exchange of information on “certain aspects of criminal cases”. The agreement was signed by Indonesia’s Attorney-General H M Prasetyo and Singapore’s Attorney-General Lucien Wong in Bali.

Mr Wong was on a working visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Mr Prasetyo.

In a joint press release, the two offices said the signing of the MOU “marks a milestone in the relationship between the two institutions and attests to the warm and friendly ties which exist between the two Governments”.