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Singapore-Indonesia leaders’ retreat sets stage for successors, with ‘more active’ engagement expected

  • The annual meet ‘formally introduces’ Lawrence Wong and Prabowo Subianto as their respective countries’ new leaders, in addition to deepening bilateral ties
  • Prabowo could take a more ‘robust’ foreign policy approach while major changes are unlikely from Singapore’s Wong, analysts say

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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (second from left) and his deputy Lawrence Wong (left) with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (second from right) and Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (right) during their meeting at the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
In their final meeting as heads of states, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo set the stage for their successors, Lawrence Wong and Prabowo Subianto, who analysts expect to bring “more bilateral engagement and more active leadership” to their foreign policies.
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Experts say Wong and Prabowo are likely to take new approaches to a number of issues looming over the region once Lee and Widodo leave office this year, including disputes in the South China Sea and the great power rivalry between the United States and China.

Wong, Singapore’s deputy prime minister, will take over the reins from Lee on May 15, while Prabowo, currently Indonesia’s defence minister, won the country’s presidential election in February and will assume office in October.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the Leaders’ Retreat at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the Leaders’ Retreat at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

The outgoing and future leaders of the two countries met on Monday for this year’s edition of the annual Leaders’ Retreat, held in the city of Bogor in West Java.

Now in its seventh year, the retreat serves as an opportunity for the leaders of Indonesia and Singapore, as well as their ministers, to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments.

“While this retreat is a fitting occasion to reflect and celebrate what we have achieved together, it is also about continuity and looking ahead,” Lee said during a joint press conference with Widodo following the meeting with their successors.

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“From the present leadership to the next, we committed to look ahead, build on the strong foundation and to expand our cooperation.”

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