The Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore growth triangle: A political and economic equation

Australian Journal of International Affairs

Volumn 51, Issue 3, 1997, Pages 369-382

  Smith, Shannon L D ^a  

^a AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

DEVELOPING REGION; ECONOMIC GROWTH; ECONOMIC INTEGRATION; GEOPOLITICAL RELATIONS; GROWTH TRIANGLE; REGIONAL ECONOMY;

INDONESIA; MALAYSIA; SINGAPORE;

EID: 0031411382     PISSN: 10357718     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/10357719708445224     Document Type: Article

References (74)

1. Some see such economic growth areas to be the future of economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, envisaging the growth of an East Asian economic development corridor extending from ASEAN to China to Korea. This idea was postulated at the International Conference on 'Managing the Mega-Urban Regions of ASEAN Countries, Policy Challenges and Responses', Business Times (2 December 1992).
2. Straits Times (21 December 1989).
3. Singapore, Johor and Riau were once part of the powerful kingdom split up in 1824 with the signing of the Treaty of London between the Dutch and the British. All territory north of the Straits of Singapore came under British rule, while that south of the Straits (now Indonesia) came under the Dutch. Upon independence the British territory developed into two nation-states, Singapore and Malaysia.
4. Lee Tsao Yuan, 'Growth Triangles in ASEAN', PITO Economic Brief 10 (June 1992) p. 22; Straits Times (29 October 1991).
5. Lee Tsao Yuan, 'Growth Triangles in ASEAN', PITO Economic Brief 10 (June 1992) p. 22; Straits Times (29 October 1991).
6. Jakarta Post (2 May 1990); Caroline Yeoh, Lau Geok Theng, Mark Goh and Julie Richardson, Strategic Business Opportunities in the Growth Triangle (Singapore: Longman, 1992) p. 88.
7. Jakarta Post (2 May 1990); Caroline Yeoh, Lau Geok Theng, Mark Goh and Julie Richardson, Strategic Business Opportunities in the Growth Triangle (Singapore: Longman, 1992) p. 88.
8. Harvest International 1990, in The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd, A Guide to the Growth Triangle-Batam, Johor, Singapore, 1992 (no date).
9. Reuters News Service (20 November 1995); Straits Times (22 and 27 November 1995).
10. Reuters News Service (20 November 1995); Straits Times (22 and 27 November 1995).
11. There is a Memorandum of Understanding for the supply of water and gas from Johor to Singapore, signed in the 1960s. In addition, a long-standing liaison exists between Singaporean and Malaysian officials, particularly those from Johor.
12. Some linkages between Johor and Riau have been established, such as minor reciprocal investments in Johor's tourism sector and Batam's manufacturing sector, Indonesia Development News 13, 4 (March/April 1990) p. 8; Kyodo (4 March 1991); Antara (5 March 1991). Recently, Padang Industrial Park was set up in West Sumatra as a joint development between the state-owned Johor Corporation and the West Sumatra provincial government, Straits Times (5 March 1996).
13. Some linkages between Johor and Riau have been established, such as minor reciprocal investments in Johor's tourism sector and Batam's manufacturing sector, Indonesia Development News 13, 4 (March/April 1990) p. 8; Kyodo (4 March 1991); Antara (5 March 1991). Recently, Padang Industrial Park was set up in West Sumatra as a joint development between the state-owned Johor Corporation and the West Sumatra provincial government, Straits Times (5 March 1996).
14. Some linkages between Johor and Riau have been established, such as minor reciprocal investments in Johor's tourism sector and Batam's manufacturing sector, Indonesia Development News 13, 4 (March/April 1990) p. 8; Kyodo (4 March 1991); Antara (5 March 1991). Recently, Padang Industrial Park was set up in West Sumatra as a joint development between the state-owned Johor Corporation and the West Sumatra provincial government, Straits Times (5 March 1996).
15. Some linkages between Johor and Riau have been established, such as minor reciprocal investments in Johor's tourism sector and Batam's manufacturing sector, Indonesia Development News 13, 4 (March/April 1990) p. 8; Kyodo (4 March 1991); Antara (5 March 1991). Recently, Padang Industrial Park was set up in West Sumatra as a joint development between the state-owned Johor Corporation and the West Sumatra provincial government, Straits Times (5 March 1996).
16. Indonesian Minister for Science and Technology, Dr B.J. Habibie, has led several official visits to Johor, and appears personally interested in increasing linkages.
17. Bisnis Indonesia (21 September 1994).
18. Business Times (3 December 1992).
19. Business Times (16 and 19 December 1994).
20. Jakarta Post (14 March 1996). No substantial initiatives emerged from the first meeting in June 1995 of the committee set up under the MOU, Business Times (31 May 1995); Straits Times (31 May 1995).
21. Jakarta Post (14 March 1996). No substantial initiatives emerged from the first meeting in June 1995 of the committee set up under the MOU, Business Times (31 May 1995); Straits Times (31 May 1995).
22. Jakarta Post (14 March 1996). No substantial initiatives emerged from the first meeting in June 1995 of the committee set up under the MOU, Business Times (31 May 1995); Straits Times (31 May 1995).
23. One paper identifies six ways by which the Growth Triangle facilitates Singapore's internationalisation drive. See Wong Poh Kam and Ng Chee Yuen, 'Singapore's Internationalisation Strategy for the 1990s', Southeast Asian Affairs 1991 (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1991) pp. 273-4.
24. Far Eastern Economic Review (3 January 1991).
25. Business Times (20 July 1994).
26. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
27. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
28. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
29. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
30. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
31. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
32. These include ones to Japan in December 1990, Angkatan Bersenjata (17 December 1990); Merdeka (15 December 1990); Indonesia Development News 13,4 (September/October 1990) p. 4; Jakarta Post (13 December 1990); to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan in September 1991, Antara (2 October 1991); and in Singapore in September 1995. The 1995 Indonesia-Singapore Exhibition, 'Partners in Progress', focused on joint ventures in order to showcase cooperation in industrial development on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, Business Times (5 and 21 September 1995); Straits Times (5 and 21 September 1995).
33. Singapore and Indonesia are working together to market Singapore and Bintan Island as a single tourist destination. Indonesia and Singapore agreed to form a high-powered joint team of six cabinet ministers to handle cooperation in tourism. Under the cooperation, the six million foreign tourists that visit Singapore annually are to be lured into visiting Indonesia as well, especially to Bintan, Jakarta Post (27 June 1994). A tourism cooperation agreement signed on 29 September 1994 built on the success and the relationship both sides established when developing and promoting tourism-related projects in Riau by extending cooperation to include Lombok, Solo, Yogyakarta, Padang and Ujung Pandang, Straits Times (30 September 1994).
34. Singapore and Indonesia are working together to market Singapore and Bintan Island as a single tourist destination. Indonesia and Singapore agreed to form a high-powered joint team of six cabinet ministers to handle cooperation in tourism. Under the cooperation, the six million foreign tourists that visit Singapore annually are to be lured into visiting Indonesia as well, especially to Bintan, Jakarta Post (27 June 1994). A tourism cooperation agreement signed on 29 September 1994 built on the success and the relationship both sides established when developing and promoting tourism-related projects in Riau by extending cooperation to include Lombok, Solo, Yogyakarta, Padang and Ujung Pandang, Straits Times (30 September 1994).
35. The first meeting took place in February 1991, Jakarta Post (8 February 1991). The third meeting was held in January 1993, Straits Times (30 January 1993). The fourth meeting took place in December 1993, Jakarta Post (1 December 1993); Business Times (29 November and 1 December 1993); Straits Times (1 December 1993).
36. The first meeting took place in February 1991, Jakarta Post (8 February 1991). The third meeting was held in January 1993, Straits Times (30 January 1993). The fourth meeting took place in December 1993, Jakarta Post (1 December 1993); Business Times (29 November and 1 December 1993); Straits Times (1 December 1993).
37. The first meeting took place in February 1991, Jakarta Post (8 February 1991). The third meeting was held in January 1993, Straits Times (30 January 1993). The fourth meeting took place in December 1993, Jakarta Post (1 December 1993); Business Times (29 November and 1 December 1993); Straits Times (1 December 1993).
38. The first meeting took place in February 1991, Jakarta Post (8 February 1991). The third meeting was held in January 1993, Straits Times (30 January 1993). The fourth meeting took place in December 1993, Jakarta Post (1 December 1993); Business Times (29 November and 1 December 1993); Straits Times (1 December 1993).
39. The first meeting took place in February 1991, Jakarta Post (8 February 1991). The third meeting was held in January 1993, Straits Times (30 January 1993). The fourth meeting took place in December 1993, Jakarta Post (1 December 1993); Business Times (29 November and 1 December 1993); Straits Times (1 December 1993).
40. Suara Pembaruan (20 October 1992); Far Eastern Economic Review (22 April 1993) p. 41.
41. Suara Pembaruan (20 October 1992); Far Eastern Economic Review (22 April 1993) p. 41.
42. Tim Koordinasi Pembangunan Propinsi Riau (TKPPR), Proyek-Proyek Dalam Rangka Kerja Saina Ekonomi Indonesia-Singapura (Jakarta, 1994).
43. Business Times (30 January 1993); Reuters Textline (30 January 1993).
44. Business Times (30 January 1993); Reuters Textline (30 January 1993).
45. At the time, Batam was the only area in Indonesia to have this provision. Elsewhere domestic share-holding had to reach 51 per cent within fifteen years. On Singapore's influence, see Straits Times (7 October 1989); Tempo (14 October 1989); Far Eastern Economic Review (19 October and 30 November 1989); Jakarta Post (3 November 1989).
46. At the time, Batam was the only area in Indonesia to have this provision. Elsewhere domestic share-holding had to reach 51 per cent within fifteen years. On Singapore's influence, see Straits Times (7 October 1989); Tempo (14 October 1989); Far Eastern Economic Review (19 October and 30 November 1989); Jakarta Post (3 November 1989).
47. At the time, Batam was the only area in Indonesia to have this provision. Elsewhere domestic share-holding had to reach 51 per cent within fifteen years. On Singapore's influence, see Straits Times (7 October 1989); Tempo (14 October 1989); Far Eastern Economic Review (19 October and 30 November 1989); Jakarta Post (3 November 1989).
48. At the time, Batam was the only area in Indonesia to have this provision. Elsewhere domestic share-holding had to reach 51 per cent within fifteen years. On Singapore's influence, see Straits Times (7 October 1989); Tempo (14 October 1989); Far Eastern Economic Review (19 October and 30 November 1989); Jakarta Post (3 November 1989).
49. Tim Huxley, 'Singapore and Malaysia: A Precarious Balance', Pacific Review 4, 3 (1991) pp. 204-13.
50. Business Times (26 August 1992,31 May 1995); Straits Times (4 February 1994, 25 May 1995); Donald E. Weatherbee, 'ASEAN and Evolving Patterns of Regionalism in Southeast Asia', Asian Journal of Political Science 1, 1 (June 1993) p. 49; A.R. Sutopo, 'Relations Among Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore: From Confrontation to Collaboration and Re-alliance', Indonesia Quarterly XIX, 4 (1992) p. 326.
51. Business Times (26 August 1992,31 May 1995); Straits Times (4 February 1994, 25 May 1995); Donald E. Weatherbee, 'ASEAN and Evolving Patterns of Regionalism in Southeast Asia', Asian Journal of Political Science 1, 1 (June 1993) p. 49; A.R. Sutopo, 'Relations Among Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore: From Confrontation to Collaboration and Re-alliance', Indonesia Quarterly XIX, 4 (1992) p. 326.
52. Business Times (26 August 1992,31 May 1995); Straits Times (4 February 1994, 25 May 1995); Donald E. Weatherbee, 'ASEAN and Evolving Patterns of Regionalism in Southeast Asia', Asian Journal of Political Science 1, 1 (June 1993) p. 49; A.R. Sutopo, 'Relations Among Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore: From Confrontation to Collaboration and Re-alliance', Indonesia Quarterly XIX, 4 (1992) p. 326.
53. Business Times (26 August 1992,31 May 1995); Straits Times (4 February 1994, 25 May 1995); Donald E. Weatherbee, 'ASEAN and Evolving Patterns of Regionalism in Southeast Asia', Asian Journal of Political Science 1, 1 (June 1993) p. 49; A.R. Sutopo, 'Relations Among Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore: From Confrontation to Collaboration and Re-alliance', Indonesia Quarterly XIX, 4 (1992) p. 326.
54. The continued shrinkage of agricultural land renders Singapore more reliant on foreign imports and alternative sources of food supply. Self-sufficiency in food was a short-lived idea in Singapore, and in 1985 the government decided to write off agriculture beginning with the phasing out of pig farms.
55. Jakarta Post (21 February 1994); Kompas (20 February 1994).
56. Jakarta Post (21 February 1994); Kompas (20 February 1994).
57. Business Times (30 January 1993); Reuters Textline (30 January 1993).
58. Business Times (30 January 1993); Reuters Textline (30 January 1993).
59. Antara (9 February 1994).
60. Asian Intelligence (26 June 1991) pp. 6-7.
61. Jakarta Post (11 March 1994).
62. Business Times (27 September 1991).
63. Suara Pembaruan (20 July 1994).
64. Suara Pembaruan (20 February 1993); Angkatan Bersenjata (20 February 1993).
65. Suara Pembaruan (20 February 1993); Angkatan Bersenjata (20 February 1993).
66. See comments by Industry Minister, Tungky Ariwibowo in Straits Times (1 December 1993).
67. Straits Times (5 March 1996).
68. Far Eastern Economic Review (20 June 1991) p. 25.
69. Jakarta Post (14 March 1996); Reuters Textline (14 March 1996).
70. Jakarta Post (14 March 1996); Reuters Textline (14 March 1996).
71. Reuters News Service (16 March 1996); Reuters Textline (16 March 1996).
72. Reuters News Service (16 March 1996); Reuters Textline (16 March 1996).
73. Other proposals include a link up between Australia's Northern Territory with Indonesia's provinces of Irian Jaya and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Headlines (25 May 1993); and among countries of the Mekong River basin-Thailand, China, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, Bangkok Post (27 April 1993).
74. Other proposals include a link up between Australia's Northern Territory with Indonesia's provinces of Irian Jaya and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Headlines (25 May 1993); and among countries of the Mekong River basin-Thailand, China, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, Bangkok Post (27 April 1993).