Singapore, Jakarta in diplomatic row over deadly 1965 bombing in city state

A fresh diplomatic row has erupted between Singapore and Indonesia over a 1965 bombing in the city state, after the Indonesian navy dressed two marines as the perpetrators at a defence exhibition.

Singapore was "concerned and disappointed" after the two men appeared at the event in Jakarta this week dressed as Indonesian marines Usman Haji Mohamed Ali and Harun Said, who were executed for the bombing, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Three people were killed and 33 others injured in the bombing of MacDonald House, in downtown Singapore, in March 1965.

The attack was part of efforts by then-Indonesian president Sukarno to stage an armed confrontation against the newly formed federation of Malaysia, which included Singapore. The two marines had been ordered to infiltrate Singapore and carry out the attack.

Indonesian Defence Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro said yesterday in Jakarta that the stunt was "clearly inappropriate".

"We have asked the navy to look into this and investigate who has done this," he added.

Navy spokesman Untung Suropati, speaking earlier yesterday, described the two marines as "heroes" who should serve as role models for young Indonesians. "Usman and Harun are our heroes, and it was an international expo with a young generation of the military and students visiting," he said in Jakarta.