TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on Saturday, June 11, 2022. They discussed a number of issues including the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

It was said that Lee respected Indonesia for not interfering in the conflict. Indonesia's maritime territory is not included in China's claim of sovereignty.

“PM Lee Hsien Loong expressed his appreciation and said that Singapore respects Indonesia's neutral position as a non-claimant state in the South China Sea issue,” said Prabowo in the ministry's official statement, Sunday, June 12, 2022.

The South China Sea is a strategic area bordered by Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China. The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry recorded there are overlapping, territorial claims over the sea between claimants, viz. Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China, which is highly triggering potential for conflict. Until now, the dispute has not yet abated.

Other than the South China Sea issue, Prabowo expressed gratitude for Lee's contribution to encouraging tighter defense cooperation between the two countries. In particular, the completion of the deals, including on defense.

Indonesia, Prabowo went on, fully supported strong defense cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore to be built based on the principles of equality.

Lee and Prabowo also reaffirmed the close and longstanding bilateral ties between Indonesia and Singapore, which were strengthened by the deals signed at the Leaders Retreat in January 2022.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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