Singapore-Indonesia ties a top priority

[SINGAPORE] Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that maintaining good relations with Singapore has been his government's top priority throughout his 10 years in power.

At a state banquet held in his honour at the Istana, he spoke of having had the pleasure to build a "strong and special" relationship with Singapore.

"Since becoming president in 2004, I was always mindful of the strategic value of Singapore," said the former four-star general in a passionate and sometimes emotional 20-minute speech as he recounted his many visits here and interactions with Singapore's leaders over the years.