Indonesia to Take Control its Airspace, President Jokowi Says

President Joko Widodo in the Joint Press Conference with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, Singapore, Tuesday (8/10). (Photo by: ANGGUN/ PR)

Indonesia welcomes the Indonesia-Singapore Framework Agreement on negotiation of Flight Information Region (FIR), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has announced.

“Indonesia respects the position of Singapore, which understands Indonesia’s wish to oversee its airspace management over Riau Island.” President Jokowi told a Joint Press Conference with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, Singapore, Tuesday (8/10).

According to the President, Indonesian Technical Team has started the negotiation. “We encourage the negotiation to immediately achieve concrete results,” he said.

President Jokowi previously said that he was honored to be in the second meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“During the meeting, we have agreed to strengthen our commitment to continue strong relations between the two countries,” President Jokowi said, adding that Indonesia-Singapore has extended bilateral cooperation in liquidity management or REPO agreements.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also welcomed the follow-up of last year’s Leaders’ Retreat, including to boost investment in Kendal Industrial Park, Nongsa Digital Park development and Singapore’s economic development support for the opening of iPhone manufacturer Pegatron’s operations in the Indonesian island of Batam, which is near Singapore.

“Indonesia-Singapore have also agreed to encourage the ratification of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) finalization signed by the two countries last year. Indonesia also offers opportunities for Singapore to finance the construction of infrastructure projects in Makassar, railroad project in Pare-Pare in South Sulawesi province, and an airport in Labuan Bajo,” President Jokowi said.

Indonesia and Singapore, President Jokowi continued, also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in vocational education in Kendal Polytechnic (in Central Java province), as well as training for interns and fundraising for initiative.

“In the field of digital economy, the two countries also agree to boost bilateral cooperation in e-commerce, financial technology (fintech) market, beta services, techno-park development and regional innovation,” President Jokowi said. (RSF / GUN / ES)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Edited by: Rany Anjany/M. Ersan Pamungkas