Singapore and Indonesia have officially launched the Indonesia-Singapore Defence Alumni initiative, a new network designed to deepen military cooperation and foster closer personal ties between the two nations. The initiative, known as Persahabatan Alumni Pertahanan or PERSAHAN, was unveiled in Jakarta on July 14 by Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The name combines the Indonesian words for friendship and defence alumni, reflecting the collaborative spirit behind the project.
The network brings together officers from the Singapore Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Defence Forces who have previously worked together or completed study stints in either country. By maintaining these personal connections, the initiative aims to build a foundation of trust that supports long-term bilateral defence relations. The launch was attended by the co-presidents of the alumni, Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng and Indonesia’s Chief of Defence Force General Agus Subiyanto.
This development comes as both countries look to reinforce their security partnership amid an increasingly complex regional landscape. Minister Chan, who previously served as a military attache in Indonesia, highlighted that these lasting friendships are critical to regional security and peace. The initiative serves as a platform for people-to-people relationships to grow, complementing existing government-to-government interactions.
As Singapore and Indonesia approach 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, this alumni network represents a strategic effort to ensure that military ties remain resilient. While the initiative focuses on building personal rapport, it is part of a broader commitment to explore new areas of cooperation. The public and regional observers will be watching to see how these strengthened personal networks translate into practical collaborative outcomes in the coming years.