Leaders agree to deepen collaboration in energy, economy, defence, and regional stability.
In his first official state visit as President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto arrived in Singapore to attend the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat on June 16, 2025. The landmark visit marks a new chapter of bilateral cooperation and strategic alignment between two of Southeast Asia’s closest neighbours.
Warm Welcome and Firsts for Both Leaders
President Prabowo Subianto was welcomed by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan upon his arrival on June 15, 2025. This marks Prabowo’s first state visit since taking office on October 20, 2024. PM Wong described him as a “close friend of Singapore,” highlighting the significance of this milestone moment.
The visit culminated in the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat, a high-level platform convened only with Singapore’s closest neighbours. It was the first retreat for both PM Wong and President Prabowo in their new leadership roles.
19 Agreements to Propel Joint Progress
During the retreat, both leaders announced 19 concrete deliverables across diverse sectors. These include energy transition, sustainable industry, defence cooperation, airspace management, and food security.
Key agreements signed:
- Cross-Border Electricity Trade: To help Singapore reach its goal of importing 4GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035.
- Carbon Capture and Storage: A step forward in climate mitigation efforts.
- Sustainable Industrial Zones: Aimed at developing green economic corridors.
An additional agreement on food safety and agri-tech was signed between Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture, supporting knowledge exchange and youth development in agritech.
Deepening Strategic and Security Cooperation
Building on the landmark pacts signed in January 2022, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in defence, law enforcement, and airspace management. PM Wong confirmed that Indonesian personnel are now working alongside Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority for seamless air traffic coordination.
The mutual extradition treaty was also activated, with the first case—concerning businessman Paulus Tannos—now under Singaporean legal process.
Unlocking Connectivity and Economic Opportunities
President Prabowo and PM Wong stressed the need to boost connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. New direct flights between Singapore and Padang, as well as Kertajati in West Java, were launched, with Prabowo calling for wider airport access across Indonesia.
In 2024, Singapore contributed US$20.1 billion (S$25.7 billion) in foreign direct investment to Indonesia—one-third of Indonesia’s total. Prabowo expressed intent to continue leveraging Singapore’s models in housing, healthcare, and workforce development, especially in caregiving and nursing education.
Regional Stability and Global Solidarity
The two leaders also addressed pressing global issues. Both condemned the escalating violence in Gaza and urged for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful negotiation in ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.
Highlighting ASEAN’s role, the leaders pledged to turn shared vulnerabilities—especially climate change—into collaborative opportunities through sustainable development and resilience-building.
President Prabowo’s state visit signals not only a renewal of Indonesia’s strategic priorities but also reinforces the enduring partnership with Singapore. With 19 new deliverables, strengthened agreements, and a shared vision for a resilient and interconnected ASEAN, both nations are poised to lead the region through the challenges and opportunities of this decade.
Sources: Mothership (2025) , The Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Indonesia Relations, Prabowo State Visit, Bilateral Agreements, Clean Energy, Regional Cooperation
