Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing represented the Government of Singapore at the Aceh Tsunami Commemoration Event in Banda Aceh, Indonesia this morning. The event commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

As part of his programme, Mr Chan interacted with Singapore Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) representatives at an exposition at the event. Mr Chan also met with Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and other senior Indonesian officials during the commemoration.

On the sidelines of the event, Mr Chan said, "Singapore and Indonesia are close neighbours. We always stand ready to help each other in times of need. For example, Indonesia rendered us much assistance in the search and recovery efforts when SilkAir Flight MI185 crashed near Palembang in December 1997. Similarly, after the tsunami struck, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was placed on alert to render assistance to Indonesia. The SAF and the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) were able to carry out their missions quickly and seamlessly because of the long-standing special relationship between the two militaries at all levels. This relationship was built up over many years of close cooperation, regular exchanges and bilateral training.

"Mr Chan was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SAF. From 28 December 2004 to 25 February 2005, the SAF deployed about 1,200 SAF personnel to affected areas in Indonesia. In addition, three Republic of Singapore Navy Landing Ships Tank transported more than 150 pallets and crates of relief supplies and equipment, while 20 Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft flew more than 600 sorties, and transported about 500 tonnes of supplies and equipment. Following the immediate post-disaster relief period, the Singapore Government, together with NGOs and fellow Singaporeans, contributed in various reconstruction projects in Aceh, such as the construction of the Meulaboh pier and the refurbishment of the Meulaboh General Hospital. The Singapore Red Cross channelled almost S$57 million of donations from Singapore for the projects.