S'PORE, INDONESIA INK DEFENCE, EXTRADITION PACTS

The time was 4.45pm. Government officials from Singapore and Indonesia were waiting eagerly to witness a historic event in the history of both countries.

After almost two years of negotiation, Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to the terms and conditions in the Extradition Treaty (ET) and Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo signed the ET with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda, while Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean inked the DCA with Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono on 27 Apr at the Istana Tampak Siring in Bali.

Also signing an Implementing Arrangement relating to Military Training Areas at the ceremony were Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Major-General (MG) Desmond Kuek and Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) ACM Djoko Suyanto.

A separate signing ceremony is scheduled to be held in Jakarta on 7 May, where the service chiefs of Singapore and Indonesia will sign the Implementing Arrangements (IAs) for the Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries.

Witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the signing of the ET and the DCA represents a great step forward for the bilateral relations between both sides.

The ET sets out a list of crimes and allows fugitives to be handed over from Singapore to Indonesia, and vice versa, whereas the DCA is a mutually beneficial agreement that furthers the already strong and enduring defence ties between both countries.

With defence relations between both armed forces dating back to 1974, the DCA underpins a very important relationship between the SAF and the TNI, said PM Lee.

"Working together, they are able to establish mutual understanding, rapport and an ability to work together whether it is a natural disaster, whether it is an accident, or some other contingencies which can take place in Southeast Asia," said Mr Lee.

Agreeing was President Yudhoyono, who said: "The pillar is very strong and the benefit is very clear and this can be seen clearly during the tsunami tragedy, where the role and participation of the SAF was very critical to the success of the emergency relief efforts."

The DCA will provide for greater mutual access to each country's training areas and facilities, and promote bilateral defence cooperation, which will enhance the professionalism and interoperability of the SAF and the TNI.

The agreement, together with the accompanying IAs, will allow greater cooperation between both armed forces. Included are the development of joint training areas and facilities in Indonesia, the provision of training assistance to the TNI, and access to training areas in Indonesia for the SAF.

Outlining the benefits of the DCA, President Yudhoyono emphasised the need for cooperation between neighbours to secure the Malacca Straits and also to advance the ASEAN security community to provide for a stable and peaceful Southeast Asia.

"Through this training and cooperation we will also enhance our professionalism, particularly, with regard to modern technology that is owned by our neighbours, including Singapore," said the Indonesian President.

A Defence Cooperation Committee will be set up to oversee the new aspects of defence cooperation, hold policy dialogues and consultations on security issues of common interest, and also to recommend new cooperative activities and programmes within the framework of the DCA.

Once the DCA has been ratified by the Indonesian Parliament, it will come into force at a date agreed by both sides.

The DCA, which will remain in force for 25 years, may be reviewed by both countries once every six years after the 13th year of the agreement. Also, unless otherwise agreed by both countries, the DCA and its IAs will be renewed for six-year terms after each review.