SINGAPORE - Singapore will step up intelligence exchanges and other efforts to counter extremists with Indonesia, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Friday (Jan 15).

Dr Ng said that he wrote to his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu to offer Singapore's condolences for a terrorist attack in Jakarta on Thursday which killed seven.

He also gave him assurance that Singapore stands with Indonesia in the global fight against extremism.

He wrote on Facebook: "We will step up intelligence exchanges and other efforts as we discussed during my visit last month."

In his letter to Mr Ryamizard, Dr Ng said that they discussed this specific threat and committed to boost intelligence exchanges and other collaborative efforts between the two countries.

He added that both countries have long co-operated in many areas, including counter-terrorism.

Dr Ng ended his letter with an offer of assistance.

"Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything further that the Mindef and the SAF can do to help," he wrote.

For more stories on the Jakarta attacks, please go here