Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat to be held in Bintan on Jan 25

SINGAPORE — The next Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat will be held on Jan 25, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Thursday (Jan 20).

"In response to media queries, the Press Secretary to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong confirmed that Mr Lee will be visiting Bintan, Indonesia, on Jan 25 for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat, hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo," said the PMO.

"The leaders will take stock of progress made on bilateral cooperation and explore ways to further deepen engagement in key areas of mutual interest.”

President Joko Widodo last met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on October 8, 2019 for the annual retreat traditionally held to foster bilateral relations. They have not had a retreat since due to Covid-19.

When interviewed by CNA in November last year, Mr Widodo said that he will discuss with Mr Lee how and when the two countries can reopen borders.

"We will discuss a travel corridor arrangement which we hope can be opened, but not everywhere in Indonesia,” he said.

“Maybe, (between) Bintan and Singapore, or Bali and Singapore, Jakarta and Singapore, for example. But again, all these have to be gradual," said Mr Widodo at that time.

At a press conference earlier on Thursday, Mr Mirza Nurhidayat, the director in charge of Southeast Asia affairs at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “This Leaders’ Retreat meeting is a modality of cooperation between the two countries… things related to increasing bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore will be discussed." CNA

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