{"id":96183,"date":"2026-10-28T23:42:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=96183"},"modified":"2026-10-28T23:42:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:42:04","slug":"singapore-indonesia-committed-at-highest-level-to-resolving-bilateral-issues-vivian-balakrishnan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=96183","title":{"rendered":"Singapore, Indonesia committed at highest level to resolving bilateral issues: Vivian Balakrishnan"},"content":{"rendered":"


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JAKARTA \u2013 High-level communication between Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has set the \u201cpolitical commitment on both sides to do what is necessary\u201d, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Oct 28, as the two neighbours seek to manage differences over energy supplies and other bilateral issues.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta after meeting Prabowo earlier in the day, Balakrishnan said his visit had involved \u201cgood conversations, honest conversations, sincere conversations\u201d and produced constructive approaches, some of which were already being implemented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not at liberty to discuss the details,\u201d he said when asked about his meeting with Prabowo.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut first, let me give you the assurance that communication has occurred at the highest level between my Prime Minister and with President Prabowo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that both sides now had to implement their plans and \u201cexecute that commitment\u201d.<\/p>\n

The meeting came as the two neighbours grappled with questions over gas supplies<\/span><\/a> and plans for cross-border electricity exports, while stepping up cooperation to tackle forest and land fires in Indonesia that have sent thick haze across parts of the region and prompted calls for stronger action to prevent the problem from recurring.<\/p>\n

Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said earlier on Oct 28 that Balakrishnan had requested an audience with Prabowo. The Presidential Secretariat also said Prabowo remained committed to maintaining good relations and strengthening communication with neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n

Managing differences with \u2018cool heads\u2019<\/h2>\n

Balakrishnan said Singapore and Indonesia, as permanent neighbours, would always be interdependent and face common challenges, including the haze and pandemics.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that differences in priorities and approaches were inevitable, sometimes accompanied by political disagreements. \u201cBut precisely at a moment like this, it\u2019s important for cool heads to prevail,\u201d he said, stressing the need for direct, honest and constructive conversations.<\/p>\n