Singapore Allows Military Exercise in Indonesian Sky, Prabowo: Absolutely No Danger

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto confirms that Singapore is permitted to conduct military exercises over Indonesia’s skies, through the Defense Cooperation Agreement (Defense Cooperation Agreement/DCA) which is currently being proposed for ratification by the DPR RI.

For information, the same DCA was almost ratified in 2007, but at that time President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono failed to propose it to the DPR.

“Yes (Singapore military exercises in Indonesian skies), but with our permission,” Prabowo said after a Working Meeting with Commission I DPR RI, Thursday (27/1/2022).

Also read: Who will benefit from the signing of the Jakarta–Singapore FIR Agreement?

“The bottom line (current DCA and 2007 DCA) is the same, because we really want to actualize it,” he added.

The Working Meeting was closed to the public, so journalists could not cover it directly.

Prabowo claimed, at the meeting, he told members of the Council that according to him, the defense cooperation agreement had sufficient safeguards to safeguard the national interest.

Also read: Hikmahanto Explains the Irregularity of Government Claims to Have Controlled FIR from Singapore

Regarding the permission for Singapore to use Indonesia’s skies for military exercises, Prabowo views that there is no threat to sovereignty.

“Absolutely not (endangering sovereignty). We have practiced with many countries in our territory. We often practice with many countries and, traditionally, they also need training there,” said Prabowo.

“We need friendship with Singapore, and we consider Singapore our friend country. We have many common interests,” concluded the General Chairperson of Gerindra.

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