SINGAPORE said it was disappointed with suggestions that Indonesia's recent ban on the export of concreting sand was tied to talks on extradition and other issues, and said if this was the case Indonesia was violating earlier agreements made by both governments.

In a statement made available to the Jakarta Post, the country's foreign ministry said Monday that if that was the approach of its Indonesian counterpart, "it is a disappointment to us."

On Friday, Indonesia's director general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa, Primo Alui Joelianto, said in addition to preventing environmental degradation, the ban "also aims to push them (to resolve differences) in extradition and some border negotiations."

Given that the official reason for the ban was environmental, the above remarks "lead us to wonder whether that was the main reason for the ban," the statement said.

Singapore, it said "had earlier expressed willingness to work with Indonesia on environmental protection, but Indonesia ignored this offer and proceeded with the ban."

The statement also cited "good progress" on the extradition treaty and border delineation, negotiations which were made "in good faith on the basis of mutual benefit."

"What is needed is political goodwill on both sides to finalize the agreements which, from Singapore's perspective, is within reach," the foreign ministry said.

"Unilaterally making sand an additional issue with the objective of delinking the Defence Cooperation Agreement from the Extradition Treaty contravenes the earlier agreement" that the treaty on extradition would be in parallel and linked to talks on defense cooperation, the statement said. That agreement was struck in October 2005 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

On Sunday Vice Governor Muhammad Sani of the Riau Islands province expressed conviction that despite the sand export ban imposed on Feb 6, Singapore would retain its commitment to cooperating on the Special Economic Zone in Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands.

Singapore is the biggest overseas sand importer from Indonesia. Most of the sand has come from the Riau Islands.

"I believe the ban on sand exports will not have far-reaching consequences. Nothing will change Singapore's commitment to developing the islands," said Sani.

On June 26 last year, the country's leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on the economic zone.

Batam has experienced a drop in investment value, however, with the closure of a number of foreign companies.

Bintan legislative councillor Timbul Sianturi said the government should show its commitment to restoring the damage done by the sand mining activities.

"If Indonesia is sincerely concerned, show it by restoring the ponds caused by the sand quarrying activities," said Sianturi.

"Just imagine, many areas in Riau Islands have been exporting sand to Singapore since 1983, but it is still unclear where the funds to compensate damaged areas have gone. The pools created by mining activities still resemble mosquito breeding areas," Sianturi said.

He added that he hoped the government would not exploit the issue of sand exports in its relations with Singapore.

-- With additional reporting by Fadli from Batam.

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