Indonesia and Singapore simultaneously implement deals on airspace services, defence and extradition

PM Lee Hsien Loong arriving in Bintan for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Jan 25, 2022. - PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO via The Straits Times/ANN

JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia and Singapore have simultaneously implemented three agreements, namely the realignment of the flight information region (FIR), the defence cooperation agreement (DCA), and the extradition treaty on March 21.

According to Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry, the agreements are crucial for enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in each respective area of security cooperation and efficient navigation services in airspace, defence cooperation and law enforcement through extradition.

The ministry, in a statement, stated that Indonesia had completed its internal processes for the FIR through Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2022, the DCA via Law No. 3 of 2023, and Extradition under Law No. 5 of 2023.

Defence ministers of both countries signed the DCA on April 27, 2007 in Bali, while the FIR and Extradition agreements were inked during the Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan, Riau Islands on Jan 25, 2022.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, in a separate statement, highlighted the shift of civil aviation management in the Riau Islands Province and Natuna airspace to Indonesia FIR from Singapore’s jurisdiction.

The minister noted representatives from Indonesia’s air traffic authorities are stationed at Changi to monitor aircraft to and from Singapore, to safeguard Indonesia’s airspace.

Following the agreement’s enforcement, the Transport Ministry will regulate flight service charges to enhance Indonesia’s aviation industry and attract investment in civil aviation, he added.

In the extradition agreement, Luhut stated its significance in pursuing fugitives who flee to Singapore through coordination between authorities, including Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Regarding defence cooperation, he expressed optimism in the framework promoting military collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore, covering eight areas of cooperation.

Luhut, alongside Singapore’s Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, worked together to enforce cooperation deals between the two countries, following directives from President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan. - Bernama