S'pore leaders convey condolences, offer help to Indonesia over Medan plane crash

SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Indonesian president Joko Widodo to express his condolences over the Medan military plane crash on Jun 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

In his letter, PM Lee extended his condolences and sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy on behalf of the Singapore government.

He also conveyed his sympathies for those who were injured in the accident.

The Hercules C130 jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Medan on Tuesday, killing 142.

The Indonesian air force said that the plane, which was carrying 122 people comprising mostly servicemen and their families, likely suffered engine failure.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean also expressed his condolences in a letter to Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Tedjo Edhi Purdijatno.

Saying he was "deeply saddened", Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, added that "our thoughts are with the government and people of Indonesia at this time of sorrow".

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen wrote to his counterpart, Indonesian Defence Minister General (Rtd) Ryamizard Ryacudu, saying that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was ready to provide assistance to Indonesia.

"As a close friend of Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and SAF are ready to render any assistance that would be useful," he wrote.

"Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything we can do to help," Dr Ng added.

seanyap@sph.com.sg