Jakarta. A Singaporean politician has drawn attention to Indonesia’s reliance on Singapore for international internet connectivity after posting an infographic claiming that around 90% of Indonesia’s international internet traffic passes through the city-state, accompanied by the question, “Cut?”

Calvin Cheng Ern Lee, a former Singaporean parliamentarian, shared the infographic on his X account, @calvinelcheng, as tensions between the two countries drew attention following Indonesia’s decision to reduce natural gas exports to Singapore.

“Cut?” Cheng wrote, prompting a flurry of comments from social media users. In a subsequent post, however, he stressed that Singapore would not take such action.

“We are civilised, law-abiding people. We will not do this, obviously,” Cheng wrote.

In another post at around 4 p.m. Jakarta time on Tuesday, Cheng called for greater cooperation among Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, emphasizing their regional interdependence.

“Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are close neighbours. Close neighbours are mutually interdependent. What’s good for one country is good for another. We should work together for common prosperity. For good air. For mutually beneficial relationships,” he wrote.

Earlier, Singapore has called on Indonesia to honor its commercial gas supply agreements. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged all parties with signed gas supply contracts to fulfill their commitments after Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Speaking at the People’s Action Party (PAP) convention on Sunday, Oct. 25, Wong said Singapore’s gas importer would take the necessary steps to protect its contractual rights and interests, according to CNA.

“The gas supplies are covered by commercial contracts. We expect all parties to honour their commitments, and Singapore’s gas importer will take the necessary steps to protect its rights and interests under these contracts,” Wong said.

Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) said the reduction of 31 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) amounted to less than 2% of the city-state’s total daily gas demand.

Natural gas generates around 95% of Singapore’s electricity, with much of its supply imported through pipelines from Indonesia.

Indonesia, meanwhile, has rejected any suggestion that the reduction constitutes a breach of contract.

Chief Downstream Industry and Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said Monday that the government’s decision remained within the minimum supply limits stipulated in the two countries’ agreements.

Indonesia exports a total of 409.55 MMscfd of pipeline gas to Singapore from two production areas, the Natuna Sea and Sumatra. The government has reduced that volume by 31 MMscfd, or less than 8% of total exports.

“The exports we have cut remain within the minimum contractual limits. The minimum contractual threshold is 91% to 92%, and we have only reduced supply by around 8%. If we cut 10%, that would constitute a breach of contract,” Bahlil said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, Oct. 26.

Bahlil attributed the reduction to several factors, including gas wells undergoing maintenance or temporary shutdowns. He also said the government needed to prioritize domestic energy demand before allocating supplies for export.

Add as a preferred source on Google +