Looking South of Singapore: A New Vision for Partnership with Indonesia

This opinion piece from The Business Times, published on July 21, 2026, argues that Singapore should deepen its economic and strategic engagement with Indonesia's Riau Islands, mainland Riau, and Sumatra. The author presents this southern corridor as a vital test bed for bilateral cooperation, moving beyond traditional ties with Jakarta. The article notes that despite persistent concerns over regulatory predictability and Indonesia's economic outlook, Singaporean capital has consistently been attracted to the region, particularly Batam. The piece advocates for a new vision of partnership that leverages geographic proximity and existing economic flows to create a more integrated and resilient cross-border economic zone.