An Open Letter in Reply to Mr Patrick LiewTo the Honourable Mr Patrick Liew, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Author of Southeast Asia’s Most Cheerfully Ironic Open Letter,Thank you.Thank you sincerely—not sarcastically, as in your letter. Thank you for showing us that a reduction of 31 MMSCFD from a total of 409.5 MMSCFD—roughly 8 per cent—can be transformed so swiftly into a geopolitical tragedy, a universal moral lesson, and an existential threat to Southeast Asian commerce.We are impressed. Not everyone can turn a modest figure into a grand oration. That is a talent.
On Your “Thank You”You opened your letter with “thank you,” closed it with “thank you,” and scattered enough “thank yous” in between to make readers suspect that the phrase was not a courtesy but a weapon.We admire the literary technique. Still, allow us to use the same style:Thank you, Mr Patrick, for reminding us that sarcasm can be written at length, while facts remain rather short.The Indonesian Government has stated that the reduction remains above the contractual minimum threshold of approximately 91–92 MMSCFD. The reduction itself is only 31 MMSCFD. So, before the world becomes “wary of doing business with Indonesia,” perhaps the world should first become more wary of reading contract annexes.
On “A Bad Example of Leadership”You said President Prabowo had shown the world how a government should not be run. We understand. From Singapore, everything may appear delightfully straightforward: there is gas, send gas; there is a contract, read the contract; there is criticism, write an open letter.But in Indonesia, the government has a slightly different set of chores: keeping the lights on and industries running in Batam, Bintan and Sumatra; ensuring that citizens do not run short of energy; and managing facilities that occasionally require maintenance—not because they wish to needle a neighbour, but because pipelines and plants are not magical objects that never grow tired.So perhaps the better example of leadership is not “never reduce exports,” but rather: prioritise one’s own people when supply is constrained, provided one still honours the contract.On “Reputational Suicide”You described Indonesia’s action as “reputational suicide.” We were almost shaken. Almost.Then we looked at the figures supplied by Singapore itself: the Energy Market Authority said the total reduction amounted to 17 BBTUD over 18 days, or less than 2 per cent of Singapore’s daily gas demand.So, if less than 2 per cent of gas demand can cause “reputational suicide,” we fear Singapore’s reputation must be extraordinarily fragile. Or, more politely: perhaps the phrase “reputational suicide” should be reviewed by your communications consultants.On Covid-19 AssistanceYou reminded us of Singapore’s assistance to Indonesia during the pandemic. We appreciate it, truly. Medical aid, vaccines and coordination during a crisis are memories that should not be forgotten.But allow us to explain one simple point: humanitarian assistance is not a gas-subscription coupon.If every past act of goodwill must be repaid with unlimited energy supplies, the world will become an exhausting place. Every country will keep receipts, record debts of gratitude, and later demand payment in kilowatts, cubic metres, or supermarket discounts.Friendship should indeed be preserved. But healthy friendship does not require one party to keep exporting gas while its own people need electricity.On “The World Will Be Wary”You wrote that this episode has taught the world to be wiser and more cautious when doing business with Indonesia. We agree. The world should indeed be wise and cautious.Cautious when reading contracts. Wise when calculating percentages. And exceptionally cautious when someone describes an 8 per cent reduction as a national catastrophe, while Singapore itself says the impact is less than 2 per cent of its daily gas demand.cnbcindonesia+1If this is what is meant by “waking up the world,” then the world must have been sleeping very soundly.
On “An Unreliable Country”You implied that Indonesia is an unreliable partner. We understand the concern, but we would also like to remind you: a reliable country does not necessarily mean a country that must keep exporting gas until its own homes go dark.Indonesia is still supplying the overwhelming majority of its contracted volumes. Of 409.5 MMSCFD, only 31 MMSCFD has been reduced. The remainder remains far above the contractual minimum.kompas+2Therefore, if we may summarise this in business language, you will appreciate: this is not a default, not a breach of contract, and not necessarily reputational suicide. It is closer to a contract-compliant supply adjustment, accompanied by communication that may indeed need improvement.One Thing We AcknowledgeWe shall not defend everything blindly. One point in your letter deserves a serious answer: communication.If a trading partner feels surprised, the government should explain more quickly: how long the adjustment will last, what the technical reasons are, when supply will be restored, and what contractual mechanisms apply. Singapore itself has noted that its gas importer may pursue contractual remedies.That is not a sign that the world should fear Indonesia. It is a sign that commercial relations must be managed with data, contracts and communication—not merely with open letters full of “thank yous.”So, Mr Patrick, once again: thank you.Thank you for reminding us that international criticism is sometimes written faster than the contract figures are read. Thank you for showing that a small percentage of gas demand can become thousands of words. And thank you for allowing us to write a reply longer than strictly necessary.We continue to respect Singapore as a neighbour, partner and friend. We remain committed to contracts, cooperation and a mutually beneficial relationship.But we would like to close with one simple message:Gas may be reduced temporarily. Contracts must still be honoured. But hasty conclusions? Those are the one export Indonesia would rather not send.Thank you for your open letter. In return—politely, and with rather more rhyme—please accept these modest verses from Indonesia.At dawn the birds drift toward the cloud,A gentle breeze runs by the stream;Thank you for words so clear and loud,Though facts may differ from the theme.From Natuna’s fields the gas flows far,Across the sea to a neighbouring shore;A small reduction is no war,So long as contracts stand as before.Four hundred and nine flow through the line,Thirty-one alone are set aside;Do not rush to fault or malign,First read the limits both sides abide.A pipeline needs its time to mend,A plant may pause and take its rest;The aim was never to offend,But keep the home front safely blessed.The lamps still glow in our own land,Our industries continue on;To guard one’s people is a command,While honouring agreements not withdrawn.The Covid aid shall not be lost,It lives in memory and in prayer;Yet kindness is not chains, whatever the cost,Nor grounds to claim what is not there.Two per cent of a nation’s need,Became a storm that shook the earth;Sarcasm is a lovely breed,But numbers speak with greater worth.An open letter sounds refined,With “thank you” echoed time anew;Yet wisdom asks a calmer mind:Read every clause before you construe.A neighbour dear we still esteem,Through trade and trust our ties remain;Gas may be adjusted, as it may seem,So long as goodwill does not wane.The bird returns to nest at night,The sunset fades beyond the west;Warm greetings from the archipelago’s light—May reason guide us, and differences rest.Yours respectfully,Indonesians who believe that reading a contract is also part of diplomacyThe figures and claims in this letter refer to Indonesian government statements and Singaporean energy-authority remarks: total piped exports of 409.5 MMSCFD, a reduction of 31 MMSCFD or about 8 per cent, a contractual minimum of roughly 91–92 MMSCFD, and an impact on Singapore of less than 2 per cent of daily gas demand over 18 days.
