PM Lee Hsien Loong meets President Jokowi next Monday, both end their duties

President Joko Widodo received a courtesy visit from Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at 9:30 AM. Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

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"The essence of the meeting (with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore), both with me and in the courtesy visit to President Joko Widodo, is in preparation for the visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Indonesia on Monday (April 29, 2024) in the context of the Leaders' Retreat," said Retno after the meeting.

The leaders of Indonesia and Singapore hold an annual Leaders' Retreat with locations alternating between the two countries. This year, Indonesia is the host, while Singapore hosted it last year.

"The essence of the meeting between the Singapore Foreign Minister, both with me and during the courtesy visit to Mr. President, is to prepare for the visit of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Indonesia on Monday (29/4/2024) in the context of the Leaders' Retreat."

Last visit

PM Lee's visit to Indonesia, according to Balakrishnan, will be the last visit before PM Lee hands over the government to the new PM. "And this shows the importance of the bilateral relationship between Singapore and Indonesia," added Retno.

PM Lee himself has announced that he will hand over the leadership baton to his appointed successor, Lawrence Wong, on April 15. Lee will then transfer power on May 15.

During the Leaders' Retreat meeting, the 10-year collaboration that has been carried out will be discussed. In addition to celebrating the existing relationship, according to Retno, the meeting is also to ensure the sustainability of the two countries' relationship.

"So, in addition to celebrating, this will also signal the continuity of the good relationship between the two countries," said Retno. Therefore, Singapore's Deputy PM and Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong, will also join the Singaporean delegation.

For President Jokowi, this meeting was held in the final months of his administration, which still runs for about six months. On October 20 2024, leadership will continue to elected president Prabowo Subianto.

"At present, there are many Singaporean companies that have shown interest in collaborating and investing in IKN, including in the field of energy transition, particularly solar power."

According to Retno, in the upcoming meeting at Bogor Palace on Monday, there will be many issues discussed, ranging from food security, energy transition, to development in the new capital city (IKN). Currently, many Singaporean companies have shown interest in collaborating and investing in IKN, including in the field of energy transition, especially solar energy.

Also read: In Singapore, President Jokowi Ensures that the Business Potential in IKN is Promising

So far, the 2023 Leaders' Retreat in Singapore has produced several agreements. Firstly, the Flight Information Region (FIR) agreement, an extradition agreement, and a defense cooperation agreement. To strengthen these three agreements, updates to the memorandum of understanding between attorneys general were made, as well as the settlement of the memorandum of understanding between the police forces to combat cross-border crimes, the formation of a defense cooperation committee, and the establishment of technical rules for the implementation of the FIR, defense, and extradition agreements.