Your Excellency President Prabowo Subianto,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Today’s State Visit and this Banquet in honour of President Prabowo is a good occasion to celebrate all that we, Singaporeans and Indonesians, share.

2. Our ties go far back into history, well before our nations each gained independence, and indeed well before we were colonised. People travelled freely across the seas, and between the archipelago of islands and trading posts that linked us together. They were also part of the dance of civilisations that shaped the cultures of Southeast Asia over the centuries, and which remains alive in our people’s common heritage to this day.

3. The Singapore government’s very first overseas mission after we gained self-government was our trade and cultural office in Jakarta. It was opened in 1961, well before we gained full nationhood in 1965. The first official visitor to the office was Mr S Rajaratnam, who was then Minister for Culture and was to become Singapore’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1965. Mr Rajaratnam was a friend of Indonesia and a close observer of its struggle for independence. Later, when he penned Singapore’s national pledge in 1966, he drew inspiration from Indonesia’s deep well of experience. Like Indonesia, Singapore would forge unity in diversity. We would build one united people, regardless of race, language or religion. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, as you would say.

4. Pak Presiden, you have yourself been a friend of Singapore for many years. You have watched us develop as a nation, seen our ups and downs, and made decisive contributions along the way to our bilateral relations. You have many friends here, and memories too.

5. It is my honour to host you today, on your inaugural state visit to Singapore. The world is changing in fundamental ways. Friendship – deep, honest friendship built on understanding and trust – is the most precious of all geopolitical assets in this time. Pak Presiden, Singapore is honoured to have you as a friend.  

6. Over the past few years, Singapore and Indonesia have opened a new era in our relationship. With regard to longstanding bilateral issues, we have listened closely to each other and found ways to move forward constructively for mutual benefit. The Expanded Framework Agreements were the outcome of that process. Their entry into force last year was a historic milestone, addressing issues which were outstanding on our bilateral agenda for decades. 

7. President Prabowo, as Defence Minister, you were crucial to this process. You have contributed much to the strong defence relations between our countries, and for that, it was my honour to confer upon you Singapore’s highest military honour, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), in 2023.

8. But there is more that we can and must do together. Under Pak Presiden’s leadership, we are now making bold strides to push the frontiers of cooperation, such as in the green economy, manufacturing, digitalisation, and education. There is much potential in each of the areas of cooperation that our governments have embarked on.

9. By working together, Singapore and Indonesia will also blaze a path forward, as two of the founding members of ASEAN, for the rest of ASEAN.

10. So today, I am honoured that we are gathering not just as neighbours, but as close partners, bound by a rich tapestry of shared history, culture, and aspirations for the future. I look forward to working with President Prabowo and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to bring a new generation of Singaporeans and Indonesians closer to each other, in the spirit of friendship, and in pursuit of our shared interests.

11. Please allow me to end with a pantun:

12. Your Excellency, President Prabowo Subianto, distinguished guests, I invite you to join me in a toast:

a.    To the good health and success of President Prabowo;

b.    To the peace, progress, and prosperity of Indonesia;

c.    And to the enduring friendship between Singapore and Indonesia.