Indonesia has no ill intent in naming its new Navy frigate the KRI Usman Harun, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on Tuesday, in an attempt to repair a bilateral row with Singapore that has dominated headlines over the past week.
"No ill intent, no ill will, and no malice is intended," Dr Marty said in an interview with The Straits Times, adding that Jakarta took the recent turn of events seriously.
"We are keen to ensure there is a sense of mutual respect of where the other is coming from, and we can both move forward."
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam had called Dr Marty last Wednesday to raise concerns about the Indonesian Navy's decision to name the vessel after Osman Mohamed Ali and Harun Said, two marines who bombed MacDonald House in Orchard Road in 1965 that left three dead and 33 hurt.
"No ill intent, no ill will, and no malice is intended," Dr Marty said in an interview with The Straits Times, adding that Jakarta took the recent turn of events seriously.
"We are keen to ensure there is a sense of mutual respect of where the other is coming from, and we can both move forward."
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam had called Dr Marty last Wednesday to raise concerns about the Indonesian Navy's decision to name the vessel after Osman Mohamed Ali and Harun Said, two marines who bombed MacDonald House in Orchard Road in 1965 that left three dead and 33 hurt.
