Indonesia's Prabowo and Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong Forge 19 Strategic Agreements

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong solidified a new partnership during their inaugural Leaders' Retreat, held at Parliament House in Singapore on Monday, June 16, 2025. This first meeting between the two new leaders culminated in 19 strategic agreements spanning diverse sectors, from defense to green energy.

Prabowo hailed this year's Leaders' Retreat as "very productive and successful." During a joint press conference, he emphasized that he and PM Wong engaged in constructive discussions, agreeing on tangible cooperation across political, economic, security, education, and health sectors.

"This year's Leaders' Retreat was, in my opinion, very productive and very successful. We held a very productive, face-to-face meeting and produced 19 outcomes in many sectors of cooperation during this year's retreat," Prabowo said in a joint press statement at Parliament House, Singapore, as quoted by the official website of the Indonesian State Secretariat Ministry.

Meeting Outcomes

In the political and security sectors, both countries reiterated their full commitment to implementing expanded defense cooperation, including finalizing technical details for joint military training. Additionally, the renewal of extradition agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the attorneys general of both nations were reaffirmed.

"In the field of politics and security, we reaffirmed our commitment to fully implement the defense cooperation agreement and finalize all technical details for military training areas. And I hope this will be expedited very quickly. We also made progress in the extradition agreement mechanisms," Prabowo added, as quoted by Antara.

Prabowo also expressed his appreciation for Singapore's standing as one of Indonesia's primary economic partners. He underscored the importance of continued collaboration in the investment sector, particularly in special economic zones.

Progress was also noted by six bilateral economic working groups in agriculture, tourism, employment, transportation, and industrial zone development.

Prabowo highlighted the strategic collaboration between Singapore's Temasek and Indonesia's new sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, as key to developing renewable energy and low-carbon areas in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun. Three MoUs were specifically signed related to cross-border electricity trade, carbon capture and storage, and sustainable industrial zones.

Furthermore, Prabowo welcomed Singapore's offer of technology transfer in modern agriculture. Agreements on food and agricultural cooperation were signed, including programs for the development of young farmers. In the health sector, Indonesia invited Singapore's participation in supporting the reform of its national health system, including the development of new medical and nursing faculties. Both countries also discussed the dispatch of skilled workers, especially in the caregiving and elderly care sectors.

Regarding connectivity, Indonesia committed to increasing direct flights to and from Singapore, including new Scoot airline routes to Kertajati and Padang airports. Improvements to airport infrastructure were also emphasized to bolster mobility and tourism.

During the meeting, Prabowo and Wong also expressed concern over the conflict in Gaza and the Israel-Iran tension. They jointly urged for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution through diplomacy. On the issue of Myanmar, both leaders called for ASEAN's active involvement in fostering regional stability.

List of MoUs and Agreements Signed

According to a report from Antara, the bilateral meeting produced 19 strategic agreements, including five major MoUs formally exchanged in the presence of Prabowo and Wong:

1. Joint Report to Leaders from six bilateral economic working groups;

2. MoU for Cooperation in Food Security and Agricultural Technology between the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and the Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment;

3. MoU for Sustainable Industrial Zone Development between the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry;

4. Cross-Border Electricity Trade MoU between the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry;

5. Carbon Capture and Storage MoU between the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry.

These five agreements, as cited by Setneg.go.id, lay the foundation for cooperation between the two countries in promoting green economy, food security, and cross-border energy connectivity.

In addition, several other significant agreements were announced:

1. Implementation of the Flight Information Regional Agreement, involving the placement of civilian and military personnel at the Singapore Air Traffic Control Center (SATCC);

2. Implementation of Extradition Cooperation;

3. Joint Update on Defense Cooperation;

4. MoU for Mutual Recognition of Halal Certification between the Indonesian Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (scheduled to be signed on June 18, 2025);

5. Bilateral Financial Arrangement Cooperation between Bank Indonesia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore;

6. MoU for Capacity Building for Government Officials in the Maritime Field between the Indonesian Ministry of

7. Transportation and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore;

8. Cooperation MoU between the Indonesian Attorney General's Office and the Singapore Attorney General's Office;

9. Cooperation MoU in the Field of Library and Information Management between the Indonesian National Library and the National Library Board of Singapore;

10. Establishment Cooperation for Ciputra SMG Curie Cancer Center (CSCCC) between Ciputra Hospital and Singapore's Curie Oncology, Singapore Medical Group (SMG);

11. Sembcorp Solar Energy Power Plant Investment in Nusantara's Capital;

12. Cooperation between Sembcorp and the Panbil Group JV for the Development of 2 (two) Low-Carbon Industrial Zones in Batam;

13. Technical Arrangements for Youth Exchange Program;
Young Farmer Development Program;

14. Launching of flights to and from Singapore - Kertajati and Padang by Scoot Airlines.

These agreements collectively demonstrate a strengthening of cooperation in legal, defense, education, and aviation services.

Concluding the Leaders' Retreat, Prabowo extended an invitation to Wong and the Singaporean delegation for a follow-up meeting next year in Indonesia. He also underscored the importance of the strategic partnership that has flourished between Indonesia and Singapore for over five decades.

"I am very confident that this bilateral relationship will continue to grow stronger with increasing trust and belief in each other over time. I hope to welcome you and your delegation to next year's Leaders' Retreat in Indonesia," Prabowo affirmed.

Editor's Choice: Prabowo Continues State Visit to Russia After Singapore Stop

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News