Sub-region growth triangles can narrow development gaps among Asean members

With pandemic ravaging regional economies, it may be right time for Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia to revive three-way Sijori free trade triangle

Published Tue, Dec 22, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

Jakarta

IT was the perfect plan for the perfect time.

Riding on a wave of dizzying economic growth, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia joined hands in 1989, announcing the creation of a three-way, free trade economic development triangle to continue a run they thought would last forever.

Everyone would bring something to the table for the so-called "Sijori Growth Triangle", and all would share the pot.

Singapore desperately needed land, had money to invest and was a market for goods.

Indonesia and Malaysia, meanwhile, had plenty of land and needed more job opportunities for their people including technical and manufacturing positions.

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But then a losing streak changed everything.

The 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, political upheaval in Indonesia, and regional terrorism dampened the euphoria of "Sijori" - an acronym for Singapore, Johor province in southern Malaysia, and Riau province i…