Indonesia has officially pledged full support for Singapore’s rotating ASEAN chairmanship in 2027. Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir announced the backing during a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday, emphasizing regional unity alongside plans for a new joint task force on forest fires.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir, also known as Tata, met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Pancasila Building within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The high-level discussions centered on regional stability, organizational reforms within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and bilateral cooperation leading up to Singapore’s upcoming leadership term.
Arrmanatha Nasir Outlines Vision for Southeast Asian Unity in 2027
During a joint press statement following their talks, Arrmanatha made clear that Jakarta’s backing of Singapore’s leadership role extends beyond diplomatic courtesy. He outlined a vision for an organization that tackles modern geopolitical shifts through collective resilience.
Indonesia fully supports Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, and we look forward to keep ASEAN united, central, and resilient.
Arrmanatha Nasir, Indonesian Foreign Minister, via Tempo
The Indonesian diplomat added that the regional bloc must evolve to become more effective, efficient, and relevant
for the everyday citizens living across Southeast Asia. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto remains focused on building strong national resilience at home, which in turn reinforces regional security. Emphasizing this interconnected stability, Arrmanatha noted that a stronger Indonesia naturally means a stronger neighbor and a sturdier regional coalition.
Vivian Balakrishnan Highlights Sixty Years of Bilateral Ties
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan welcomed the strong commitment from Jakarta. He pointed out that Indonesia remains a vital anchor for the region, acting as a foundational pillar for Southeast Asian collaboration.
We look forward to working closely with Indonesia to strengthen ASEAN’s unity, centrality, and resilience during our Chairmanship.
Vivian Balakrishnan, Singaporean Foreign Minister, via Tempo
Vivian also drew attention to the broader diplomatic calendar, noting that the year 2027 marks six decades of formal diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Singapore. This milestone offers an opportunity to build upon the momentum generated by both countries to look back at the bilateral relationship and design future cooperation.
Joint Task Force Formed to Combat Forest and Land Fires
Beyond regional leadership, the bilateral talks produced concrete operational agreements aimed at transboundary challenges. Both nations agreed to establish a task force to strengthen joint efforts against forest and land fires.
To demonstrate domestic progress on environmental mitigation, Arrmanatha highlighted the mobilization of substantial resources across priority regions, noting that Indonesia has deployed 71,000 ground personnel alongside more than 50 air fleets to tackle fire hazards.
President Prabowo Subianto Receives the Visiting Minister
The diplomatic mission carried an urgent schedule. According to statements, Vivian made an abrupt arrival in Indonesia starting Tuesday morning to request time to meet with the head of state.
President Prabowo scheduled a brief meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Despite a busy state agenda, President Prabowo remains focused on maintaining good relations and strengthening communication with friendly countries, especially neighboring nations in Southeast Asia.
