[DageDage]

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo, has written to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a note of protest with Singapore against the action of its immigration authorities against former chief of general staff, Lieutenant General (ret) Suryo Prabowo.

"The TNI has coordinated (with other relevant agencies). Likewise, the chief of Bais (the militarys strategic intelligence agency) has lodged a note of protest with the (Singapore) defense attach in Indonesia," Nurmantyo stated after opening the fourth national karate tournament at the TNI Headquarters Sports Stadium here on Friday.

He was responding to a report that Suryo Prabowo, who had just arrived from Fiji by Fiji Airways flight FJ361, was denied entry to Singapore while he was transiting through the Changi Airport on Wednesday (Aug 17).

"We have written to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a note of protest with Singapore. Who knows I may be blacklisted in Singapore anytime in the future," he exclaimed.

He expressed regret over the fact that the Singapore immigration authorities did not explain the reason for blacklisting the former Indonesian military soldier.

"They should offer an apology and help Mr Suryo arrange his flight," he demanded.

It turned out that they did not offer any apology, he said.

"As the chief of TNI, I am not pleased with the way the Singapore government has treated the former TNI soldier," he noted.