In the wake of leadership renewals in both nations, Mr. Lee and President Widodo may hold their sixth and last meeting.
On May 15, Mr. Lee may hands over the league to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Singapore.
After the latter won the country’s national election on February 14 with a flood victory, President Widodo will take over the reins in October.
With the exception of 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the leaders of the two Southeast Asian neighbors meet periodically to foster diplomatic relations.
Singapore has been Indonesia’s top foreign investor since 2014, with foreign direct investment from Singapore into Indonesia hitting US$ 15.4 billion ( S$ 20.9 billion ) in 2023.
The same year, diplomatic trade amounted to US$ 69 billion.
Singapore and Indonesia are also one of the best destinations for user visitors. In 2023, Singapore welcomed 2.3 million visitors from Indonesia, while Indonesia welcomed 1.4 million tourists from Singapore.
Eight Cabinet members will accompany Mr. Lee on the future vacation.
They are: Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng.