Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted Indonesia Minister of Defence General (GEN) (Rtd) Ryamizard Ryacudu to breakfast earlier this morning. GEN (Ret) Ryamizard is in Singapore from 3 to 4 October 2018 to deliver the opening address at the 2018 Southeast Asia (SEA) Counter-terrorism (CT) Symposium, organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

During their meeting, the Ministers reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Indonesia and Singapore, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between both countries. Both Ministers discussed the agenda for the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, including the plans to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation through Indonesia's Our Eyes initiative.

Dr Ng thanked GEN (Rtd) Ryamizard for delivering the opening address at the 2018 SEA CT Symposium and expressed his condolences for the losses caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi. Dr Ng also updated GEN (Rtd) Ryamizard on the assistance rendered by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's C-130 aircraft in Indonesia thus far and reaffirmed that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) stands ready to assist Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) in further disaster relief efforts, if required. In response, GEN (Rtd) Ryamizard expressed his appreciation to the SAF for offering its support so promptly.  

Both defence establishments interact regularly through exercises, visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses. These interactions enhance mutual understanding and camaraderie between the two militaries. Singapore and Indonesia also interact at multilateral forums such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus.