S'pore, Indonesia pledge continuity in bilateral ties at Leaders' Retreat

PM Lee, President Jokowi celebrate achievements ahead of leadership renewal

- Arlina Arshad, Hariz Baharudin

Accompanied by their successors, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong celebrated their achievements in bilateral ties over the past decade at their Leaders' Retreat at Bogor state palace on April 29, and pledged continuity in future cooperation.

On the verandah of the Dutch colonial building, with views of verdant botanic gardens and roaming spotted deer, the leaders appeared relaxed in their batik shirts as they discussed a myriad of topics. These ranged from deepening cooperation in defence and the digital economy and exploring opportunities in the green economy, to potential investments in In donesia's new capital, known as Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.

The meeting, a long-held tradition in which the countries' leaders and ministers meet informally each year to discuss ways to strengthen ties, was the seventh and final one for both leaders, who will be leaving office in 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong is set to take over from PM Lee on May 15. Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the country's presidential election on Feb 14, will succeed Mr Widodo in October.

PM Lee described the rare, eight-eyed meeting as "particularly special", as it was his last with the Indonesian President. At a doorstop with Singapore media after the meeting, he said it was, in essence, a "valedictory meeting".

"President Jokowi is really doing me honours, inviting me just before I hand over," he said, referring to his Indonesian counterpart by his popular nickname.

"It is both a look back on our 10 years of cooperation with President Jokowi but also a look ahead, the next phase between DPM Lawrence who is taking over and the new President-elect Prabowo," he added.