Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant-General (LG)(Rtd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (left) called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Lieutenant General (Retired) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s visit highlights bilateral cooperation and regional security collaboration ahead of his special address at the Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting.

Singapore, 20 January 2025 – Indonesian Defence Minister Lieutenant General (LG)(Rtd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin is on his introductory visit to Singapore. During his visit, LG(Rtd) Sjafrie was welcomed with a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and held discussions with Singapore’s Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen.

LG(Rtd) Sjafrie inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF.

The meeting reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Indonesia. Both Ministers explored ways to enhance interactions and collaboration between their defence establishments under the framework of the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which came into force in March 2024. They also shared perspectives on regional security challenges and avenues for advancing security cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus.

LG(Rtd) Sjafrie (left) calling on Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong (right) at the Istana. [Photo Credit: Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI)]

As part of his introductory visit, LG(Rtd) Sjafrie met Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and is set to deliver the special address at the 13th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting in the evening.

Accompanied by a delegation of senior Indonesian officials, LG(Rtd) Sjafrie’s visit underscores the strong defence ties between Singapore and Indonesia. Regular bilateral engagements, including joint exercises, professional exchanges, and cross-attendance of courses, have fostered mutual understanding, professionalism, and enduring people-to-people connections between the two militaries.

Source: MINDEF