Indonesian and Singaporean leaders hold annual talks, joined this year by their successors

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday celebrated the countries' continued cooperation at their seventh and final Leaders' Retreat in Jakarta, an annual meeting between the two Southeast Asian leaders that was also attended this year by their successors.

Lee’s visit to Indonesia is one of his last working trips before he hands over the reins of his administration to a new leader. The eldest son of Singaporean founding father Lee Kuan Yew announced his resignation earlier this month after two decades at the helm. His deputy prime minister and finance minister, Lawrence Wong, will succeed him in May.

Widodo, Indonesia's first president from outside the traditional Jakarta elite who is widely known by the nickname Jokowi, will be succeeded by Prabowo Subianto, who takes office in October.

All four top officials met Monday at the colonial-style Presidential Palace in Bogor, just outside Jakarta, as the retreat became a passing of the guard for both countries.

“I’m glad that President Jokowi and I are handing over the bilateral relationship in good state to our successors,” Lee said at a joint news conference with Widodo after the meeting. "I have every confidence that Mr. Prabowo and DPM Lawrence will continue to bring the relationship to greater heights."

Singapore's Prime Minister's Office said in a statement ahead of Lee's visit that the two leaders would take stock of the significant progress made in bilateral cooperation during their tenures.

Previously, the two countries ratified three milestone agreements, including a defense cooperation agreement and separate treaties on extradition and airspace.

The agreements were signed during the 2022 leaders’ retreat and came into effect this year.

At this year's retreat, the leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements, including an update on defense cooperation which Lee said reflects the two countries' robust defense ties.

A similar defense agreement was first signed by the two countries in April 2007, but didn’t to go into effect after opposition in Indonesia’s Parliament.

The defense cooperation agreement will significantly boost Singapore’s ability to carry out naval and military exercises amid regional tensions over China’s growing military strength.

The island city-state lacks maritime, land and airspace to effectively train its military. Indonesia, which holds huge land and maritime areas, has agreed to let Singapore carry out naval exercises with other nations in the Bravo area of the South China Sea four times a year — terms that previously faced criticism from Indonesian lawmakers.

“We completed these agreements, and they went into force last month,” Lee said. “This shows that when we work together in a spirit of friendship and openness, we can address even the most complicated issues in a pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner.”

Widodo said they also discussed regional and global issues.

“We agreed to continue to encourage peace in the Middle East region and vowed to strengthen ASEAN centrality,” Widodo said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He added that Indonesia and Singapore agreed to cooperate on food security, energy transition, digital economy and healthcare.

The development of Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital on Borneo, was also discussed. About 29 Singaporean companies have signed letters of intent to invest.

Indonesia's Investment Ministry says Singapore was the largest foreign investor last year. Lee said investment from Singapore in Indonesia has increased steadily and cumulatively has exceeded 74 billion Singapore dollars ($54 billion).

Lee praised Widodo's vision and leadership, saying he raised ASEAN's standing in international affairs and brought stability and progress to Indonesia and the entire region.

He said Indonesia, as Southeast Asia’s largest economy and one of Singapore’s closest neighbors, is on track to be one of the world's largest economies.

“When Indonesia prospers, the region prosters," Lee said.

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands after a joint press conference at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesia President Joko Widodo talks to journalist during a joint press conference with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, talks to journalist during a joint press conference with Indonesia President Joko Widodo at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, talks to journalist as Indonesian President Joko Widodo listens during a joint press conference at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto, right, and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong walk during their meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto, right, shakes hands with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto, right, and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong walk during their meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale scored 14 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, Teaira McCowan and Natasha Howard had double-doubles and the Dallas Wings pulled away down the stretch for an 87-79 win over the Chicago Sky in a season opener on Wednesday night.

Trailing 75-73 with 3:16 to go, the Wings scored the next 14 points, capped by a deep 3-pointer by Ogunbowale for an 87-75 lead with 31 seconds left. Ogunbowale had nine points in the run with Howard, who finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, adding two and Maddy Siegrist hitting a 3-pointer to give her 13 off the bench.

McCowan had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Marina Mabrey had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Sky, who had all five starters in double figures. Diamond DeShields, back for her second stint in Chicago, had 14 points, first-round draft pick Angel Reese and Elizabeth Williams, who played for Washington last season, both had 12 and Dana Evans had 10.

Mabrey hit a 3-pointer to give Chicago a 43-40 halftime lead. Mabrey, who had 13 points at the break, and Michaela Onyenwere hit consecutive 3s for a 24-14 advantage in the first quarter.

Down 25-16 after one quarter, Dallas came back and took a 36-35 lead on an offensive rebound and putback by Stephanie Soares. It was the first professional points for the 2023 first-round pick out of Iowa State, who didn't play last year because of an ACL tear her senior season. McCowan had 16 points and 10 rebounds at halftime for the Wings.

Williams' basket tied the game at 62 entering the fourth quarter.

Jaelyn Brown, who played four years overseas after going undrafted in 2020, started for Dallas but was scoreless. Jacy Sheldon, the Wings' first-round pick, had two points in nine minutes.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) and guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrate a lead over the Chicago Sky during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, left, defends against Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Sevgi Uzun (1) keeps the ball from Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) looks to shoot from between Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, left, and guard Dana Evans during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) defends against Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) during a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) is seen during a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates a three-point shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 87-79. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)