Saturday, February 8, 2014

KRI Usman Harun episode sets interesting posers for Indonesia-Singapore bilateral ties

Indonesia's decision to name a new warship KRI Usman Harun, after Indonesian saboteurs executed in Singapore decades ago for the MacDonald House bombing in 1965, sets interesting posers for Indonesia-Singapore defence and foreign relations.

 The 90-metre long warship should not be welcome in Singapore Territorial Waters as the so-named man-of-war would tear open old wounds sustained during a violent time in our bilateral relations.

While ties are presently warm and friendly, the passage of KRI Usman Harun in Singapore’s  waters will inevitably turn the spotlight on the campaign of urban terrorism Indonesia unleashed against our island nation during an undeclared war which history records euphemistically as the Confrontation.

The choice of name would also ignite debate on what constitutes a "hero".

If the March 1965 attack on MacDonald House by the two Indonesian Marines was staged in today's context, it would be clearly and unambiguously defined as urban terror and elicit the same degree of condemnation, odium and disgust civilised peoples feel towards war waged against unarmed civilians by saboteurs who flee once their sinister deed has been triggered. 

In essence, the bombing of MacDonald House by KRI Usman Harun's namesakes was carried out in that unseemly fashion. As soldiers, they obeyed their mission orders faithfully. This defence - that they were merely following orders - is the same smokescreen combatants brought to justice for crimes against humanity have hoisted to explain away or soothe over misdeeds like attacks on civilians. 

As fate decreed, Singapore police caught the duo after an island-wide manhunt. The Indonesian saboteurs, Usman Hj Mohd Ali and Harun Said, were tried and convicted for murder and hung  at Changi prison in October 1968.
 

Executed as murderers in the Lion City, the dead Marines were feted as heroes when their  bodies were returned to Indonesia. News of their deaths angered Indonesian mobs, who sacked the Singapore embassy in Jakarta.
 

Alas, if you thought Singapore could put this regrettable episode in our bilateral ties behind us and move on, the past caught up with us this week.
 

So while the vast majority of Singaporeans - youth and adults - would likely think of the fast food chain upon hearing the word "MacDonald" in spoken form, we all received a refresher on our country's birth pangs when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) shared its thoughts on the matter.
 

In response to media queries on Indonesian press reports on the naming of a warship as KRI Usman Harun, an MFA spokesman said: "The two Indonesian marines were found guilty of the bombing which killed three people and injured 33 others. Singapore had considered this difficult chapter in the bilateral relationship closed in May 1973 when then-PM Lee Kuan Yew visited and scattered flowers on the graves of the two marines.
 

"Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam spoke to Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Marty Natalegawa to register Singapore's concerns over the naming of the navy ship and the impact this would have on the feelings of Singaporeans, especially the families of the victims."

Three Singapore ministers have weighed in on this issue, underscoring the gravity of the matter.
 
On Wednesday, Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam registered his concerns with his Indonesian counterpart. This was followed on Thursday by calls made by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to their Indonesian counterparts to reinforce the point made by Mr Shanmugam. 

We in Singapore should never forgot the pain, the sorrow and the bloodletting, so senseless and indiscriminate, that the string of urban terror attacks inflicted upon countless Singaporean families during the Confrontation. 

Attacks against civilians are a heinous act of war that no military should be proud of, a dishonourable blemish, a smear on the operational record of any self-respecting armed forces, a cowardly  hit-and-run affair unworthy of hero worship. 

That tainted record will shout out resoundingly at every foreign port of call, reminding foreigners both of the namesake's dark deeds and Singapore's swift and decisive response to terrorism.
 

The KRI Usman Harun episode is a teachable moment for Singaporeans. It is another update to our National Education library from a country which coined the popular catchphrase "little red dot", a reminder of how the sensibilities and sensitivities of our small island nation can be brushed aside by mindsets that see themselves as the strong armed cukong (power broker), the dominant entity in an imagined abang-adik (big brother-small brother) relationship rather than one where neighbouring states are viewed as equal, sovereign entities.
 

Singapore should tag KRI Usman Harun as a contact of interest as the warship is due to enter service later this year. 

Republic of Singapore Navy warships should politely decline any passage exercises with this vessel as joint training with her would be a flirtation with a hull that fetes saboteurs who drew civilian blood on our soil. 

Singapore’s warships should never come alongside that ship, be it for a heaving line transfer or courtesy call on her deck. Imagine the odd and unfortunate picture of RSN officers dining in the wardroom of that ship with portraits of their dead namesakes staring down on the assembled ranks.
 

The RSN should further make clear that name plate will not be welcome within its naval bases, whether as part of the Exercise Eagle war games or naval shows like IMDEX.
 

It is well within the sovereign rights of nations to call their warships anything they want.
 

It is also well within Singapore’s sovereign right to decline the passage of men-of-war whose presence would reopen old wounds, whose show of flag would inflame and provoke anger and stoke memories of a deadly act of terrorism for which the authors paid with their lives.

149 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe we should just get rid of the wars. Try lah.

Anonymous said...

so far m'sia has not said anything about this matter as SG was part of the m'sia federation in March '65. why ?

Anonymous said...

why just make noise when Indonesia make it for warship name?

Usman and Harun already "Hero"
LKY already visited their graveyard scattering flower petals at Kalibata 1973.

This "noise" just too late.
Long time already Usman and Harun become Road Name, Building Name. etc.

Anonymous said...

Penamaan kapal perang kri usman harun itu hak negara kami saudara harus menerima dengan lapang dada dan belajar menerima perbedaan persepsi negara kami

Anonymous said...

Usman harun pahlawan bagi kami dia mati saat menjalankan tugas negara pahlawan yang harum namanya kalau indonesia punya kapal induk harus di namakan kapal induk usman harun negara yang besar tidak akan melupakan jasa para pahlawannya karena kami negara merdeka

Anonymous said...

Every nation have the right to name their ship, bldgs, roads etc, wether hero's or otherwise, a point to note, did America do anything when Vietnam name Ho Chi Minh City, now look how their bilateral ties is? Why do we need to tell other nation what they can do or not do? Did Singapore protest when I Indonesia name their airport after scenario, why the big fuss now?

Anonymous said...

there should be a rule here that requires all comments to be in english so that everyone can understand what have been written here.

slamet dunya akherat said...

singapura negri seupil,.cukup.dikencingi juga tenggalam sendiri

Anonymous said...

Filthy fucking Indoniggers

ah seng said...

Indonesians.... fcuking rude.... we should really teach them a lesson. Batam is so near... and it wouldn't take long like Johore... if we start planning for offensive now. This episode shows to all government-haters that both Malaysia and Indonesia cannot be trusted. If you guys continue to dislike our country's defense spending on military hardware, please la go/migrate somewhere else. We do not need people like you.

Anonymous said...

Indonesia's right to name the ship, of course.

But examining these men's actions at such a shallow level reflects a society’s immaturity. As for the president who gave orders to these men, as the country’s founding father, it would be awkward to call him anything but a hero regardless of what he did.

That said, in a situation where the tables were turned, all Singaporeans would probably be aware of a hypothetical founding president's misdeeds but the state would still be unwilling to officially condemn such a man.

Anonymous said...

Usman and Harun was soldier.

He follow order and become Hero.
Why Singapore not protest for Soekarno Hatta Cengkareng Airport.
Or when Indonesia use Soekarno face at Bank Notes?

Soekarno is the mastermind of "Ganjang Malaysia"

He is the one who initiated
Why should protest Singapore too Kaypoh...

That time Singapore not being Country. Still under Malaysia, yet Malaysia not make any comment.

Anonymous said...

Malaysia- play dumb but smart!

Whats the Point of Helping Your Neighbours? said...

We've provided Indonesia with assistance in the Acheh tsunami tru the presence our 3 of 4 LSTs when their own navy was nowhere to be found. We donated 15 of our Aermacchi SF-260s to their air force which IMO would have been better used if they had been donated to the Phillipines AF.
We've had to endure the annual haze which choked us last year and will probably continue to do so in decades to come. And now this? These men who attacked MacDonald building would be now considered terrorists, like the ones who bombed Bali, like the ones Indonesian security forces are hunting down and prosecuting in their own country and like the ones who massacre Shiite civilians in Iraq with bombs. Not only should we ban the KRI Usman Harun from Singapore's waters,we should also reduce military-to-military relations to really drive home the point, especially to their navy decision makers who decided the ship names.
Indonesians may have a haughty and arrogant attitude towards smaller countries in the region and that doesn't make for good relations. Perhaps this attitude is the root of the problems in our relations with them.

voranoth said...

its baffling, the recent spate of comments made by Indonesian politicians.

Especially with the growing hostility between Indonesia and Australia. http://www.forbes.com/sites/timtreadgold/2014/01/31/australia-v-indonesia-approaches-a-flashpoint/

to some of the commentators here, what does either country stand to gain from insulting each other and being insensitive? Thats not the recipe for peace and stability in the region.

Anonymous said...

What next? Naming a ship after a general who invaded East Timor?

bob villa said...

What is the SG govt hoping to get out of this 'problem'?, a mole hill mentality?. Or an a move to rattle and galvanise the local citizenery.
Let see how the wayang ends

Anonymous said...

You oranglah yg pengecut, beraninya main keroyokan, menampung uang haram, menggadaikan negara demi makan, you oranglah yg tak heroik, membom rakyat sipil irak, afghanistan, camkan aku jd presiden sejengkal kapal you diperairan indonesia ai tembak you punya kapal. Singaporn Katak Nak Jadi Lembu, Mimpiiiiiiiiiiiiiii....

Anonymous said...

"The KRI Usman Harun episode is a teachable moment for Singaporeans. It is another update to our National Education library from a country which coined the popular catchphrase "little red dot"..."

Having experienced the whole course of the education system, I can say that the KRI Usman Harun and the red dot comments are teachable moments that will not be taught, not even discussed at the university level (and honestly, NE teachers are not equipped to discuss it). Disagreements with neighbours that are proximate in time and distance are just not talked about outside of news reports. And there simply is no discussion or explanation of our views where foreign relations are concerned, both in education and outside. Not a great way of building commitment or profound understanding, but it's the government's way of avoiding taking a stand that might offend. Who remembers learning that certain British colonial troops lost the Malayan campaign for us? Now check today's history books and see if it's still in there. In education, we study history academically and when it comes to NE, only the Japanese occupation because Japan because is a reasonable country that is far, far away.

Bob villa, I read your meaning that Singapore will not get its way with the naming of the ship, and I agree. We will have publicly lost. However, if we only take the quiet path of shunning the vessel per the original post, knowledge of our displeasure will not exist outside the Indonesian military. We have to register our sensibilities in the broader political sphere. If they persist in taking insensitive political actions, at least we have tried.

Anonymous said...

Just for the record, I did not learn of the 2 Indon Marines from NE class, but by reading the excellent book "Diplomacy of a Tiny State" by former diplomat Lee Khoon Choi. There are copies in National Library. Good read it.

Anonymous said...

"Diplomacy of a Tiny State" by Lee Khoon Choi.

http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=oaiO6COY9ysC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

singaporn babydog said...

Fuck you singaporn

Anonymous said...

Tutup selat malaka...blokade ekonami untuk singapura..negara tempat pelarian koruptor..

Anonymous said...

Cyberpioneer take note. Later if we exercise with that ship, please don't feature it.

Anonymous said...

So what next after complaint?
Not allowed KRI Usman Harun enter Singapore water.

Anyway do they need it?
Who will need more?

Singapore or Indonesia?
No sand, now no granite, next no maid. After no tourist.. No Invstor from Indonesia... All no

250Million compare 5 Million (included FT?) Who need more in this ASEAN?

bob villa said...

I call this move 'loud mouth politics' usually a desperate move. You really belief the indonesian will back down just because you splash you stand across your news paper?.
Like i say before what is the MFA big wigs thinking?, in addition of the loony lady incident passing thru their security.
Could this be a 'wag the dog' move by the Mandarin lords
that run thing there?
David whats your view

I

Anonymous said...

Just spread the word that Indonesia is a country that venerates murderers of women.

Anonymous said...

What the fuck, United Kingdom named their Warships after their heroes who invaded singapore and malaysia. Why u didn't protes, go back to china!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like someone needs another tsunami

Anonymous said...

InDOGnesial anjing babi

Anonymous said...

whatch out singapore, you interfere with sleeping giant.

Anonymous said...

you dont need our corruptors anymore?
they are your heroes.

Anonymous said...

for singapur usman and harun are terrorist.
but for indonesia they are heroes who unites the people of Indonesia which is in political turmoil of the period.

Anonymous said...

It does not surprise terrorist-supporting Indoniggers. Not for no reason are they hated by all their neighbor, Malaysia, Australia, Timor and Singapore. Truly disgusting, murdering raping creatures

Anonymous said...

Sounds like someone needs another smoke haze. military should not intervene, just little smoke. remember your position, you are nothing.

Anonymous said...

Corruptors is Indonesial's problem. Kindly refrain from blaming your being a third world shithole on anyone else

Anonymous said...

Jangan biarkan kapal singapura lewat perairan Indonesia..negara antek dajal...

Anonymous said...

you are hated by all your neighbor too man!
malaysia and indon can unite now kahkahkah

Anonymous said...

Military should not intervene is good, because TNI is a fucking joke.

Anonymous said...

Biasa negara yang dibangun berdasarkan pencucian uang koruptor jadi mereka merasa bersih. padahal blood money all over this fucking country

Anonymous said...

krooooh krooooh kroooooh.... fucking boyan indon pig language

Anonymous said...

whats next, not allowed indon warship enter Singapore water?
you have water now? kahkahkah

Anonymous said...

What is the fuss with this issue?
Taliban rewards their suicide bomber so Indonesia will definately rewards theirs too. They are same family so what is wrong with that? The joke is why Indonesia have a counter-terrorist unit when they are already best at terrorism?
The 2 clowns must be enjoying their "72 beautiful virgins" with fair and tender skins and big eyes. Probably farking them with the rope still hanging around their neck in Changi prison. LMAO.

Unknown said...

thank you for your inisghts.

if indonesia do not rename their ship, sg and indo r/s will be in for a rather bumpy ride.

im fine that indo think they were heros, but im v disappointed that they chose to so publicly honour them despite knowing it will harm r/s w SG.

it speaks a lot on how much they value r/s with sg.

i rly hope indo will rename the warship

Anonymous said...

That it will be in your dream pal..
Just sweet wet dream!

Who are you asking other country to change their Navy Ship name?

That joke of the Horse year!

And when they not do as you wish, what next you will do? Call your Embassy from Jakarta?

Anonymous said...

Relax lah! Malaysia didn't give a hoot yet we make so much noise. We should just not entertain these 2 warship for the rest of their service life like what David commented. Like them know we are not playing along with their lil' game.

Anonymous said...

fcuk singapore~

Anonymous said...

Hey c'mon guys! Let's not start a name calling insulting each other. We are all neighbours and lets live in harmony. We will need to depend on one another in future so let's chill. Give and take and the world will be a much better place. Right David?

How's your flytrap?

B.Khoo

Anonymous said...

Singapura memang lebih licik dari aslinya. Singapura itu mata dan telinga China, basis intelijen china, darimana china dapat informasi dan blueprint pesawat2 canggih USA kalo bukan dari singapura, airbase, pesawat tempur singaporn sengaja disimpan diamerika. Andai USA Smart tapi nyatanya USA tak pernah curiga. Mungkin pakar pakar militer USA bisa menggali dan menganalisa lebih dalam Suntzu The Art of War. United States saja dikhianati.

Anonymous said...

Dont fight lah abang, i like ur gudang Garam kretek cigarettes, Mana ade stok kalau gaduh, udah udah. Nama aje kapal perang mu!

Anonymous said...

Buy Marlboro Ciggies...

So hilarious make noise but too late....

Usman and Harun already become Hero and Legend.

Indonesia make building complex namely after them at Naval Base.
Road Name, Statue. etc

Only Now high pay salary wayang minister make noise ;)

Anonymous said...

I was speaking to some Singaporeans in Raffles Place about this and they didn't seem too bothered by it.

But then, they were new citizens from India, China, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam and Europe.

So I when down to a neighbourhood coffee shop since most Singaporean PMET I knew were unemployed.

I spoke to a man in his 50s there.

He told he that he lost his job to a foreign talent and couldn't find a job for over a year.

Most employers didn't even bother to reply to numerous applications he sent out.

He also lamented the fact that he was struggling to pay for his daughter's university tuition fees and was shocked that so many foreign talents were getting free university education in Singapore.

I asked him if he was willing to sacrifice his life over Indonesia's decision to name a navy ship after the two marines but it only made him more angry.

Overall, I don't thing Singaporeans are bothered by this issue even if the main stream media is playing up the matter.

Maybe they want to stir up some nationalistic fervour because there is a possibility that elections will be held this year.

Personally, I would take up Dr William Wan's advice and be gracious to the Indonesians.

And I hope our leaders will do so as well.

Arnold_Chong

Anonymous said...

kayaknya bagus kita main perang2 aja, itu kapal buat apa kalau ga di pake perang??.. salam..

Anonymous said...

Mudah meruntuhkan singapura negara yang tidak punya sumber daya alam..hancurkan dan usir usaha orang singapura dari Indonesia..dengan ekonomi runtuh..singapura..akan kelaparan...

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

with the looming indo elections, indo's intent might be just that of diversion from domestic issues to external one.

as a singaporean, im genuinely saddened to see such insensitivity by a country of which i have many friends from, frm school mates to the nicest and most hospitable ppl ive met in surabaya.

this incident will be looked on by others as an indicator of the strength of ASEAN.

Anonymous said...

Chinese Singaporeans ... please be a matured like UK to USA ....
-----------
John Paul Jones adalah Bapak Angkatan Laut Amerika Serikat mengingat aksi-aksinya terhadap Royal Navy selama Perang Revolusi Amerika Serikat. Bagi pihak Inggris yang saat itu merupakan penguasa wilayah Amerika Utara, aksi-aksi pria kelahiran Skotlandia jelas sangat merugikan karena selain memunculkan korban material, juga korban jiwa. Atas keberanian dan aksi-aksinya, John Paul Jones dinobatkan sebagai salah satu pahlawan Negeri Paman Sam. Namanya juga diabadikan pada salah satu kapal perusak milik US Navy, yaitu pada kelas Forest Sherman dan terakhir pada kelas Arleigh Burke. Pengabadian nama salah satu tokoh yang paling dicari oleh Inggris selama masa Perang Revolusi Amerika Serikat itu tak sedikit pun menimbulkan protes dari pemerintah Inggris.
Singapura seharus meniru langkah Inggris yang terhitung bekas induk semangnya dalam kasus penamaan kapal perang terbaru Indonesia. Tak perlu menyampaikan protes kepada Indonesia karena alasan yang dikemukakan tak masuk akal bagi Indonesia. Lagi pula Usman dan Harun dinobatkan menjadi pahlawan Indonesia karena "jasa" Singapura yaitu menghukum gantung kedua prajurit KKO itu. Andaikan Lee Kuan Yew pada 1968 mau mendengar permintaan Soeharto agar hukuman mati bagi kedua pemberani itu dibatalkan, bisa jadi Usman dan Harun tak sampai dinobatkan sebagai pahlawan nasional oleh Indonesia.

Anonymous said...

Who are you to give a lecture on maturity? This blind hero worship and only shows your collective country's immaturity and that you have a too high opinion of your country's place in the world.

Anonymous said...

February 9, 2014 at 9:40 AM

Why the need to be racial?

Anonymous said...

and who are you to give a damn about our warship names?

Anonymous said...

i hate chinese more than indon, they stole our land, everybody in the world hates chinese. let's kick out the chinese from south east asia.

Anonymous said...

Relax. KRI Klewang didn't last long.

Anonymous said...

chinese propaganda

Anonymous said...

relax, coming soon KRI klewang 2

Anonymous said...

It's a different world over there in Indonesia. Killers of other Indonesians in the purges proudly speak of themselves as heroes. This explains how they have a different idea of being a "hero".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9oebCcE6-k

Anonymous said...

cang cing cong xiaw xiong

Anonymous said...

hidup indognesial

Anonymous said...

america named their warship after george bush who invaded iraq and kills many civillians. Netherland named their warship after people who invaded indonesia. Japan, British, many other country too. And dont forget china, they named their warship after people who kills other chinese and made your ancestor move to singapore. I think its you who have a different idea of being a hero. Because you never fight. Just admit it.

Anonymous said...

i know malaysian corvette KD laksamana mohamad amin named after man who killed british resident in perak. haha
Chinese singaporean hero is Jet Li dude, he kills people in movies.

Anonymous said...

singapura membuat luka lama ratusan juta warga indonesia dengang menampung para koruptor indonesia bukan (bukan 3 org)

Anonymous said...

singapore doesn't have a hero who kills others. they are too spoiled, they dont know reality of this world. harap maklum je.

Anonymous said...

it's different world in singapore then. what a spoiled country.

Anonymous said...

even the pilot who dropped atomic bomb in Hiroshima and killed thousands of civilians become a hero in america. he didnt even put to death. and now Japan and America have good relationships. because they are high-minded

Anonymous said...

just remember, you drink malaysian water, build skyscrappers with indonesian sand. We can live without your money but you cannot live without your neighbor. fucking money-oriented people.

Anonymous said...

I don't think your way of life is a nice way to live at all.

SamSengchiaYouOne said...

Alamak, very petty issue lah deh.

Register complain can oready.

Kanina, they want to call ship KRI Pukol Habis also can.

Most likely ship catch fire and sink just like ours kenah cut in two by boat.

We call our new armoured bumboat after the two mata that tankap this two guys also can. Sure Indon don't care one.

Aiyah everyone go eat Nasi Padang and happy together.

Please lah, move on.

Devasubramaniam said...

@samseng

You are killing the two bird with one stones.

The Mata most likely from Malaysia so honouring our other neighbour whilst in some ways acknowledging the 'heroic' act actually happen boss.

You steady man. Can be diplomat I say!

Some more got Nasi Padang!You blanjah ah?

SamSengchiaYouOne said...

Is call Kawan mah.

Must Big a bit.

Why we must so sensitive? For what?

Later how to build resort on Bintan?

Indonesia oready look kaku like that. No need to make more cake out of mountain.

Sing Karaoke together Bengawan Solo (cake shop) OK oready.

Anonymous said...

...maybe donch buy so much batik next weekend.

Anonymous said...

hai Chinese Singaporean... do you want battle ?.... we give you a WAR... please enjoy it....

Anonymous said...

Talking about names and politics :

Singapore should name a ship after the Malaysian Soldier Lt Adnan who defended Pasir Panjang hill.

Sure score big points with Malaysia.

This is also part of our history we choose to forget.

No need to talk about Indonesia we also guilty.

Adnan shows Malays (Singapore and Malaysia is sama sama) are part of our defense landscape and can be trusted.

Maybe we name new airbase in Changi after him? Lim Bo Seng is not the only guy to sacrifice for Singapore in WW2.



Towkay said...

Eh how come name two ships after two cock up soldier who kenah tankap one? Some more hit soft target and kill only 3 people. How big was the bomb? Home made ah?

Make no sense. You mean Indonesia got no better hero?

How about suggest to Indonesia to call ship Sang Nila Utama? Also originally come from Indonesia for friendly visit in Singapore. Some more named Singapore.

Just suggestion.

Anonymous said...

Moderate the comments lah please.

Anonymous said...

Silahkan you orang singapura menabuh genderang perang ke tiga..kami bangsa Indonesia..lahir dan hidup dari darah pahlawan kami...takkan mundur walau sajengkal..karena setiap darah yang jatuh ke bumi akan melahirkan jutaan pahlawan baru bagi kami......Indonesia atau mati...

Anonymous said...

@Towkay

Sang Nila Utama*

Cannot lah, nanti Singapore government think Indonesia is claiming Singapore, unleash Operation "Hurry up and Kasih Sapu Habis Jialat Jialat", whole Indonesia air force and navy gone in one day.

Then how to say? Indonesia no more ship to name.

Kasih chance lah.

If want to call after cock up mission is not our problem dah.

* Unless the ship have small print underneath for Sang Nila Utama with disclaimer that Indonesia not interested in tiny (but rich) Singapore.

Anonymous said...

Sang Nila Utama? I like.

:)

Anonymous said...

Indonesia sure or not want war? Last time cannot bomb McDonalds properly now how to fight Filipino maids with back pack?



Anonymous said...

I think we should name one of our ships after the Filipino maid.

Outstanding service!Beyond the call of duty (unless in the contract I suppose)

Anonymous said...

Anyone heard of Sri Wikrama Wira?

He was the eldest son of Sang Nila Utama and defeated a Javanese fleet off the coast of Bintan heading for Singapura.

They don't teach that in the history books in Singapore.

Not that naming a ship after him would of course be politically correct of course...

Better name than Swordsman and Bowman though you must admit.

Anonymous said...

Berisik dan Kaypoh

Jiran yang kurang baik dan suka komplen....

Anonymous said...

Well, where is our "sexy" Major General Kee Chiu...Hope he will face the 200 million Indonesian on his own lah.....

Anonymous said...

If we bring maids to war, many of them will be Indon maids :)

Anonymous said...

You singaporean why are you so noisy? you forgot you named your street Raffles, while Raffles is a colonial Gov. General that wipe out the Banten Sultanate in West Java! and we Indonesian we don't mind to shop in that area,,, we could't care less it's history !

You singaporean you only took this opportunity seeing that the Indonesian are in a week position now, because of natural disasters, political heat-up due to comming election and the deteriorating relations with Australia over the assylum seekers issue ,,, as well as with the US over the mining policies you want to take the opportunity to show the Western World you are one of them right???

But sadly by doing that, behind all of your Western intelectual coverage you are still a primitive Asian character ! you make noice over nothing ignoring the fact that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew himslef has honoured Usman Harun during his visit to Indonesia !!!

You are taking advantage over everything now ! thousands of Indonesian corruptors are living safely in Singapore,,, you are protecting them that is real terrorism ! because it encourage more corruptions in my country knowing that they will have Singapore as a safe heaven !!!

Ka ni nau laaah !!!
by the way I'm chinese Indonesian !!!

Anonymous said...

US name their M1 Tank after General Abrams, the General who fought Vietnamese COMBATANTS

They also name their M48 Tank after General Patton, the General who fought the Germans COMBATANTS in WWII

Even Malaysia, they name their Armor vehicle after Lt Adnan, the brave Malay officer who fought the Japanese COMBATANTS.

Indonesia? oh, they name after their ship after 2 marines who bombed CIVILIANS in Singapore.

Even if you don't change the names, you will be a laughing stock if your ship participate in foreign joint training and they ask about naming of your ship.

As a Soldier, we all know there is no honor in killing civilians, even if it was order. I won't call myself a hero for killing civilians.

Indonesia, your logic is totally out of synch from the whole world.

Anonymous said...

How can Singapore expel any of your corrupt officials if your courts can't even find them guilty?

Just look at these otherwise ordinary villagers. Proudly telling a foreign documentary that they killed thousands of their neighbours with swords and dumped them in mass graves, just on a dubious accusation of being communist, or in some cases, Chinese. All manner of gruesome methods proudly described by the very same killers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9oebCcE6-k

Anonymous said...

Usman Harun bombing on Macdonald house March 10, 1965.

Singapore independance from Malaysia August 9, 1965.

Usman Harun execution at Changi 1968,

Lee Kuan Yew honoured Usman Harun at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery 1973.

Singapore protest on Indonesian warship named Usman Harun 2014 !

I'm a bit surprised of how the so called "Royal of ASEAN" the most riches and intelectual nation are yap yap yaping about nothing ???
are they now emotionally and intelectually down graded just the same as my people from a remoted island in the East?

Or should we also complain about the naming of Raffles for their streets and buildings? while Raffles is a colonial Gov. General whom wiped out the Sultanate of Banten in West Java?

wow ,,, apparently those singaporean are just the same with all the other Asians ,,,

























Anonymous said...

Now, I can understand why many Malaysians namely Singaporeans as KIASU .... Hahahahaha

IndonesiaMostHandsomeMan said...

Sang Nila Utama is name not for Indonesia ship. He run away from Indonesia to start new country. Cannot.

Indonesia not saying men are hero rather they are heroic because even though order is a bit stupid (and they have no choice), they carried out duty.

+ maybe small casualties is because the Marines realise it is soft target and try to minimise collateral damage? More a political statement.

Other thing is different Indonesia and Singapore way to approaching multi ethnicity environment.

Indonesia Nusantara use Pancisila. Although have a lot of resource, seem to put message that human capital is most important.

So regardless of ethnic background, ship's name after a common human value sending message that we are all the same.

Singapore adopt other approach is not to bring out sensitive ethnic differences rather name ships after more general value like Courageous or Victory or after safe place like Katong or Pungol (we also have our safe place the Telok series)

In the end, Singapore must try and see thing in most nuance way which is south East Asian.

I think Singapore in a bit danger see things to black and white (like Americans) and maybe making this to be more important than necessary, although I of course understand Singapore sensitivity.

Anonymous said...

Indonesians should be careful we don't unleash Operation Pecah Lobang, or Operation Prata Kosong Satu or even Operation Lontong Man 2.

Ooops Ops Sec. Sorry ah long number.

Anonymous said...

And Singapore do not know of our Kopassus Special Unit Idon maid Prayuhda 888.

They are highly trained to take out all your McDonalds and Filipina maids.

How you fight after that?

:D

Anonymous said...

These two Indonesian Marines kenah caught by mata mata. remember those days the police still wearing shorts look quite funny.

Nowadays the police super wayang all sorts of gadgets but cannot catch Mas Selamat.

Must have Malaysia police track him down in Kopi Tiam.

Cha Bor Hunter said...

Indonesian maid commando?

Unker like.:)

Anonymous said...

You singaporean why are you so noisy? you forgot you named your street Raffles, while Raffles is a colonial Gov. General that wipe out the Banten Sultanate in West Java! and we Indonesian we don't mind to shop in that area,,, we could't care less it's history !

You singaporean you only took this opportunity seeing that the Indonesian are in a week position now, because of natural disasters, political heat-up due to comming election and the deteriorating relations with Australia over the assylum seekers issue ,,, as well as with the US over the mining policies you want to take the opportunity to show the Western World you are one of them right???

But sadly by doing that, behind all of your Western intelectual coverage you are still a primitive Asian character ! you make noice over nothing ignoring the fact that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew himslef has honoured Usman Harun during his visit to Indonesia !!!

You are taking advantage over everything now ! thousands of Indonesian corruptors are living safely in Singapore,,, you are protecting them that is real terrorism ! because it encourage more corruptions in my country knowing that they will have Singapore as a safe heaven !!!

Ka ni nau laaah !!!
by the way I'm chinese Indonesian !!!

Anonymous said...

Don't forget the maid should help bring the bag for our Army.

The police runaway with Gun leave SCDF and Ambulance without protection @ Little India.

Now wayang-wayang minister all boasted @ Facebook, tell this and that...

The Singapore Armed Forces have rescinded an invitation to the chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy and to a group of junior officers from the Indonesian Armed Forces. The invitation was to a dialogue which was to have taken place at the Singapore Airshow, which officially starts on Tuesday.

Become hilarious this episode ;))

Anonymous said...

Glad to see that discussions over the internet are still as mature as ever. Unfortunately, it is for the benefit of such mouth-frothing nutcases that all this saber rattling and dick waving is for. Hopefully, more level heads will endure and be responsible for policy decisions.

More to the point, I thought MINDEF had replied "No comment" when asked if they had been the ones to rescind the invitation (as opposed to the Indonesian officials voluntarily trying to stay out of the shitstorm).

Anonymous said...

LKY scattered flowers as a symbol of conciliation between the countries and condolences for the dead. Do not confuse it with honouring the person.

Anonymous said...

Also running with wet pants cause of Riot @Little India.... so phatetic

David Moyes must go said...

Karma is a bitch fellas. Just wait for the next tsunami or earthquake or Bali to happen to these guys.....

Unknown said...

________________________________________________________________________
singapore you do not take care of our country and dictate affairs.
small your country,,,
you think singapore good country ...?
you expand your nation by stealing land in the Indonesian island of sand NNipah using vacuum vessel.

your army is weak, just rely on advanced equipment such as USA.takut to fight one on one and face to face. equipment when you error ... then singapore army confused and not able to do anything.

singapore army guys, for the practice of war,, rental Indonesian territory.
embarrassing.

you see http://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/tentara-singapura-lembek-ransel-dibawakan-pembantu-wanita.html


i lov usman harus..i lov indonesian

K L Chew said...

Frankly, I think this is making a mountain out of a molehill. Singapore has the right to protest to Indonesia and Indonesia has the right to ignore Singapore protests as this is a matter of national sovereignty.

However, I am curious as to why Singapore is making so much fuss about Indonesia when their marines kill only a few people. Whereas, recently, Japanese politicians and their version of the BBC have spoken openly and without any contrition that comfort women, Nanjing massacres did not happen or that they are now openly whitewashing their WW2 past.

The Japanese broke all rules of civilization, Geneva convention and were plainly barbaric with the indiscriminate massacre and slaughter thousands of innocent civilians in China and South East Asia. In Singapore, they massacred doctors, nurses and wounded patients. Then they machined gunned thousands of innocent Chinese civilians on the beaches.

China and South Korea have consistently and loudly decry such whitewashing of Japanese crimes and atrocities. Yet, Singapore has remained strangely quiet this past few months when Japanese politicians and their NHK have started pursuing a more militaristic line, starting with open whitewashing of their past.

How many Japanese do you know who know of the atrocities committed by them during WW2. Those I've met, are taught in school that Japan "liberated" South East Asia and that they were "welcomed" with open arms!

Why hasn't Singapore protested loudly against that?

Anonymous said...

I'm really surprised with this nonsense,,, the so called "Royal of ASEAN" has revealed themselves as nothing more than primitive people with Western clothing and English Speaking !

I wonder how the Honourable Mr. Lee Kuan Yew will react on this ! it seems the intelectuality and good manners of the much older generations are of no match compare with the current generation,,, it's downgraded as they are more likely to follow their Western masters ,,,

It's a different time indeed !

Anonymous said...

Well I suspect this blog commentary page has been squatted on by a few Indonesian "cyber provacateurs ". The amusing and hilarious tone and substance of the posts says as much. Better to just ignore him and let him/they rant off.

Old Geezer said...

You reap what you sow. Everybody needs each other. Ignite the fire, you'll get burned.

Peace, surely the best option.

Anonymous said...

fuck u singapore! anjing singapore, bangsat.

Anonymous said...

If Indonesia thinks that it is ok to bestow hero status for those 2 marines, that's ok.

Let Singapore send 2 marines to bomb some place in Indonesia and kill innocent civilians and not a military target (like the 2 Indonesian marines did), and then Singapore can name a ship/plane/building after their 2 marines.

I am sure Indonesia will never complain because they have just proven such an act is ok by them right?

Anonymous said...

If Singapore Marinir brave enough to do it... Just do it...

What for you make noise for nothing?
This is issued already settle long time ago. LKY visited the tomb and scattered flower Petal 1973.

Out of sudden become big hoo haa 2014.

Oh ya i forget...
That is one word KAYPOH

Anonymous said...

just do it bigmouth,
you think how many SAF soldiers died in war?
they never done anything.

Anonymous said...

KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin, malaysian warship named after killer of british civillian in perak. indon you are not alone.

Anonymous said...

Singapore armed forces train their jungles war tactic and testing their rocket in classroom, they are just like newbies when join training exercise with Angkatan Tentera Malaysia and TNI. what do you expect?

Anonymous said...

singapore heroes are superman, batman, and jet li bro. because they dont kill civillians.
SAFs training exercise is watching hollywood movies everyday. even their bomb have function to safe innocent civillians and kills only enemys soldier.

Anonymous said...

haha, dont expect from people who expect a tsunami to strike us.
they are not confident enough to attack us with their own forces.

Anonymous said...

I dont care if there is a war between Indonesia and singapore, but i dont want to sacrifice my life.
i will run to the hills, and hide in the forest. eating fruits and hunting animals. sounds fun to me.
but i cant imagine what singaporean would do when there is a war. poor them, lets give them all of our indomie. haha just kidding.

Anonymous said...

..Singapore...you need us..and we don't need you at all....you just a parasite...or even cancer....in shape of a tiny country...
So behave yourself and...look yourself in the mirror...

Anonymous said...

Yes...why not? It will be a very good idea..thanks for the idea....

Anonymous said...

Kapan kapan usulkan pembuatan payung setinggi 30 meter di pulau nikah atau batal....payung usman Dan harum menghadap Singapore....dengan tangan yang satu menunjuk ke arah Singapore...Dan tangan yang satu memegang granat....bagaimana? Setuju? C'mon ...let's go....

Anonymous said...

indonesia bought warship from british and will named it after bombers of british symbol in singapore.

Anonymous said...

Thank you singapore. you make us united. because of you, our government has also built a military force. thank you

Anonymous said...

i'm happy to see kiasu and indon fight each other.

Anonymous said...

If Singapore does not strike first Indonesia, I think Indonesia will not fight with Singapore. to stop Singapore, Indonesia only need to cut all relations with singapore. No Singapura = No Corruptor

Anonymous said...

you protect our criminals, hiding corruption money, you refused to renegotiate extradition treaty, because we ignored your demand to build your military training facilities in our land. what the fuck
you think how many millions of people have been hurt by the selfishness of your government
and you said thats not your business and we need to take care of our problems

now why we have to hear the sound of your heart's content if you don't want to help our problems?
just take care of your own problems.

Anonymous said...

I'm absolutely agreed with you. Singaporeans are really irrational to make fuss on this matter.
If you didn't care about Indonesian problems, so why Indonesian should care about your problem?

Anonymous said...

I don't know why you keep grumbling about Singapore harboring your corrupt politicians and businessmen.

If our court convict them, you say we are interfering in your domestic affairs again.

If our court don't convict them, we get flamed.

If we don't take their money, I'm sure we will also get blamed.

And ultimately, corrupt or not, anyone with money will want to leave your country. :D

Anonymous said...

Please ratified Extradition Treaty.
Without as simple as that..

Anonymous said...

Don't tell us what to do. Sound familiar?

YOU ratify the extradition treaty that YOU agreed to with us.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-refuses-renegotiate-extradition-treaty-indonesia-053002761.html

Anonymous said...

I am a little puzzled with regards to this entire fiasco.

Can someone enlighten me?

The Confrontation was by all accounts a low level war.

The bombing occurred as part of the Confrontation against the then Malaysia. The Confrontation was declared by then President Sukarno. Why did Singapore not protest when the Indonesian Government named their airport in Jakarta ,Soekarno–Hatta International Airport? Surely the person who decided to wage the Confrontation was more culpable that 2 soldiers who were following orders.

Another point, on the 30th of June 1987, we conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Distinguished Service Order (Military) or Darjah Utama Bakti Chemerlang (Tentera) on General Benny Murdani the then Commander in Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces.

This is the same Benny Murdani who In 1964, together with a RPKAD Battalion was sent to Borneo to fight a guerilla war against Malaysian and British troops as part of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. Why then was this past combatant in the Confrontation honoured with our highest honour, while we are hopping mad when Indonesia decides to honour people they deem heros.

Lets put it another way, if God Forbid, one day Singapore goes to war with another country, and our soldiers acting on orders of their superiors, booby trap a public building in enemy territory, subsequent to that act, the soldiers are caught and executed, how would we the Citizens of Singapore view our soldiers who was executed for carrying out orders. (Jun ling ru shan)

I fully agree that this is a sensitive topic and we should not stir up a hornets nest, but I wonder why the strong reaction now 50 years after the event. And why no reaction in the past when their airport was named after the President who started the Confrontation and why confer the Highest Military Honour of our land on a General who had an active role in the Confrontation?

Why are we reacting in such a manner when Indonesia decides to honour people they deem their fallen heros.

I hope that somehow I have missed a point somewhere, but what is happening now and our attitudes towards people who in my opinion must bear a much bigger responsibility to which we kept quiet or turned a blind eye is really confusing me.

Singapore in facing a number of challenges, and rather than expand effort and energy on quarrels as such with our neighbours, it would perhaps be more constructive if our Ministers concentrate their efforts on making Singapore a country that we can all be proud to call HOME

Anonymous said...

You have raised a very interesting point.

I would like to speculate that we gave Benny Murdani the Distinguished Service Order because it was politically expedient and served some practical purpose. In another way, it was politically expedient not to protest the naming of the airport as Singapore was not as economically strong or militarily credible as it is today, and challenging the legacy of a founding president or the airport's naming by a friendly president was not the thing to do. It would have carried at least economic consequences and have been seen by patron countries as reckless.

Of course, the politically expedient explanation that those who wish to remain politically correct can put forward, is that Singapore and Indonesia put the past behind them and there was no impediment to awarding Benny Murdani in 1987. I consider this an unsatisfactory explanation and would like to hear a one from someone better informed.

Anonymous said...

FUCKING SINGAPOREAN....NEGRI SINGA MUNTAH...ANJINGNYA MAMAH ELIZABETH...

Anonymous said...

It is plenty clear that this is a premeditated and intentional provocation by Indonesia to "test the waters" (pardon the pun). Singapore will need to put up a sufficiently strong response to avoid setting a dangerous precedent in regional diplomacy. Current gestures like cancelling invitations for an airshow are weak and do not sufficiently convey the message that Singapore is not to be trifled with. Send the RSN to burn the crap out of them I say!

El Lobo Loco said...

What is the official position that there might have been a third bomber - Gani bin Arup? Is there some evidence that he exists as opposed to being some desperate tactic to save the two soldiers?

What is the usual composition of a sabotage team? two or three men?

There are some who claimed that the bomb was intended for the Australian High Commission also in the building. Was this a plausible claim, and are diplomatic offices such as these valid military targets under the Geneva Convention?

Indonesian said...

I am Indonesian.
FYI, the naming of our warship is not a provocation, it is indeed a partial measured response for Sing's long-time INSENSITIVE attitude toward us: housing corrupt fugitives, dismissing extradition agreement, etc, to name the few. So, we don't feel the need to change the name (and alas, USman Harun are our heroes, we are proud of them,.) Indonesians has been patient enough with Sing. ANd now this is only the beginning of our response. I hope there won't be war. But believe me, here, in Indonesia, there are so many people willing to die to defend the honor of red and white flag. Maybe you will call them insane, crazy, illogical nuts or whatever. WHY? Hi Singaporeans, in Indonesia you will not see the 'nationalism as usual'. Please take a close look: the red color in our flag is DEFINITELY BLOOD RED, not pinky or some-cheerful red. IT IS OUR OWN EXISTENCE. So, no surprise, we never think twice in giving our own blood and bones to our Indonesia. Remember? In the battle of Soerabaia we used bamboo to fight the tanks and bombs, and we NEVER NEVER hesitate. You know what I mean. So, Singaporean, don't play fool, don't make mess with Indonesians. We are smiling nations, but sometimes we play really really crazy. Yeah.

Anonymous said...

I have to say Indonesian are a proud, bitchy and petty through and through. Yes Singaporeans should not die for their country, make the Indonesian die for his.

Anonymous said...

1:08 AM, that is because you are so proud that you will never admit anything wrong. Even something as barbaric as glorifying the butcher of villagers during the 1965 purge. All kinds of justifications emerged calling it necessary.

You said Usman and Harun are heroes, then said the name is a retaliation. Which is it?

Anonymous said...

So far remembered, Indonesia never make any demand with thread to Singapore. Yes, there were some demonstration, but usually it's for US - never to Singapore.

I understand the issue is sensitive, but please be aware, in this Singapore is as if is making a demand to Indonesia to change their warship name.

Would Singapore do it the same if it is a Japan or England or US or Iran warships ? I'm sure , Singapore is not taking Indonesia for their "nationalism" exercise.

Anonymous said...

Indonesia has made no demands?

Singapore has been very kind to Indonesia. The last time Singapore hanged an Indonesia maid for murder, there were massive riots in Indonesia. Nowadays we haven't seen a hanging for very long. Many maids have been found insane and sent back. Property owners in Indonesia should be feeling thankful.

Anonymous said...

Indonesian thinks that all chinese indonesian obtain their wealth through bribery & illegal means. As it is the indonesian goverment provides it services by "bribing" values. You want "normal", "kilat" or "super kilat" service, you will have to pay a different category fee or face delay for normal service. How to operate a "normal" business in these condition? In any case the failure of the indonesian goverment to provide "social services" or "development" generates resentment for those with wealth. Actually the goverment has lots of money just not for the poor. The scapegoat is the chinese indonesian that must have "stolen" their wealth.

obat luka diabetes said...

Terimakasih banyak atas informasi yang telah disampaikannya ya gan

dealoneclick said...

singaporn ... now .. not have agains sand from all indonesian island to ,.. marina :D .. stupid small country but want to invation super country go to hell\

Anonymous said...

they have Marina Bay SANDS already

;p

El Lobo Loco said...

What if the KRI Usman Harun is deployed for SAR for QZ8501 and is paired with SG/RSN vessels? Should SG refuse to continue?