22nd August 2019
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore
THE year 2019 marked the return to the presidency for HE Joko Widodo and by August a return to “business as usual” for Indonesia as it continues its development plans for the future. At its 74th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence Diplomatic Reception at the expansive Embassy’s Ripta Loka hall, the Republic of Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore, HE Ngurah Swajaya, described in his Welcome Address how the relatively peaceful election process and outcome has shown once again that: “Democracy, peace and stability; the rule of law reign supreme in such a large country as Indonesia.”
He highlighted how the new government has placed great priority in new infrastructure and human resource development programmes. He quipped, “In that regard I am very glad to have the Minister of Education HE Ong Ye Kun to be the guest of honour today!” Minister Ong Ye Kun was accompanied by his parliamentary colleagues Prof Fatimah Lateef and Ms Tin Pei Ling.
In his address, Minister Ong acknowledged the “excellent bilateral relations” between Singapore and Indonesia. He shared that earlier in the month Singapore had invited President Joko Widodo and Ibu Iriana together with the leaders of Brunei and Malaysia to attend Singapore’s Bicentennial National Day Parade: He said: “Their participation in this commemorative occasion reaffirmed the close friendship and deep historical ties between Singapore and our close neighbour.”
