Singapore and Indonesia have, despite periodic tensions, managed to maintain warm and friendly bilateral ties for half a century.

But questions have been raised over how the bilateral relationship will evolve, as both countries enter new phases of development, and possible paradigm shifts in political leadership.

Dr Leonard Sebastian, an associate professor from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, has been advocating the need for more people-to-people engagements, including exchanges between young Singaporeans and Indonesians.

“We cannot depend on the type of rapport between Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Suharto,” said the veteran academic in South-east Asian affairs.

“We need to build new relations and partnerships because within the next five to 10 years, we will have to deal with a new group of people we have no feel for.”