S'pore, Indonesia sign 3 pacts on longstanding bilateral issues

Airspace: S’pore to manage parts of realigned Jakarta FIR for next 25 years. Extradition: Comprehensive list of offences under treaty. Defence: Closer interaction between SAF, Indonesian forces. 

- Lim Yan Liang

Singapore and Indonesia have concluded a set of agreements on three longstanding bilateral issues, including on aviation needs and safety, as they realign the boundary between their respective flight information regions (FIRs).

Under the FIR agreement, the boundary between the Singapore FIR and Jakarta FIR is realigned to be generally in accordance with Indonesia’s territorial boundaries.

As part of the pact, Indonesia will delegate the provision of air navigation services in portions of the realigned Jakarta FIR to Singapore for 25 years, which can be extended by mutual consent.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this ensures that Changi Airport is able to operate efficiently, safely and provide air traffic control services in order to function as an important international airport, and to be able to grow in the long term as one.

“It is a carefully negotiated and balanced set of agreements, and I think both sides’ important interests and concerns have been met,” he told Singapore reporters.