Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue advisories on wait times at overseas airports. Travellers may wish to monitor airline and airport websites, as well as news reports for real-time information on wait times and potential disruptions at specific airports.”
“When the conflict in the Middle East deteriorated and commercial flights were halted in March 2026, the Singapore Government mounted four repatriation flights from Muscat, Riyadh and Jeddah to bring stranded Singaporeans home.”
“The Government has stepped up public engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and responses to key international developments to Singaporeans and to hear their views. We do this through dialogue sessions across segments of society, including students, youths, businesses and community leaders.”
“And the larger point during the Committee of Supply was that precisely, because the world is in such a difficult, prickly, volatile and dangerous state, actually, if we keep our wits about ourselves, we maintain unity and we continue to have this clear eye-realistic, but principled, approach, there are many opportunities for Singapore.”
“Well, in short, I completely agree with you. And that is why we have indeed been hosting these events and in your own capacity as a national athlete and also as an official now, you have seen how it works in practice.”
“Since 2022, about half of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) employees are women. The proportion of women in senior appointments has remained stable at about a quarter. We recognise that overseas postings are disruptive for officers with families, especially female officers who bear greater caregiving responsibilities.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,437 lines we hold for Vivian Balakrishnan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 49.
“Of course, we will prioritise the interests of Singaporeans, but if we are going to seize the opportunity in frontier technologies, we need to be prepared to complement the Singaporean team, the Singaporean workforce, in order to gain access to ideas and technology. But having said that, everyone who comes here and any company operating here, wherever you are from, will have to play by the rules. I think two weeks ago, I explained, we will take firm action and move decisively against errant individuals and companies that flout our domestic laws. We do not condone companies taking advantage of their association with us to engage in evasive, deceptive or dubious business practices for short-term commercial advantages, because that actually sullies and takes unfair advantage of Singapore's reputation. So, Members may read, in the coming days, in the news on certain developments on this front. But I need Members to understand that we are doing so to protect our standing as a trusted, open hub, painstakingly built-up over decades. This is how we have kept ourselves an attractive destination for leading companies with technology from all over the world. We must remain open to top talent and, as I said just now, to complement Team Singapore, because then, we can take maximal advantage of the opportunities which are emerging in this world that is unfolding in front of us. So, let me conclude. We are at the end of an era. There is no doubt about that. The most dangerous phase is when one world order is being replaced by a new world order. The interregnum is likely to be chaotic, difficult, dangerous and tumultuous. Singapore and Singaporeans, every one of us will need to be realistic, to be careful and to be nimble.”
“Mr Neil Parekh and Ms Poh Li San have asked how we can do this, especially in critical and emerging technology, and given the contestation between the big powers. We already have actively advanced cooperation with a range of like-minded partners on emerging technology. This includes our partners like the US, China, India, UK, Japan, Germany, France and Australia. We remain clear-eyed that there is strategic contestation between the major powers and it does complicate our attempts to create an open platform. Nevertheless, we remain plugged into international conversations on technology standards and norm settings, in line with our own national interests. Our permanent representative to the UN in New York, Mr Burhan Gafoor, serves as the chairman of the UN Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technology (ICT). That means he has to work intensively with the entire international community to advance policy discussions, norms and generate practical solutions to preserve international peace and security in cyberspace and maximise opportunities. Members can imagine that during a time of fractures, to be able to engage all parties and to make progress, no matter how difficult it is, is a major achievement, and he deserves full credit for it. Domestically, our strong rule of law and trust in our system will be crucial if we want to be able to attract and retain technology and, I need to emphasise, talent from all over the world. Singapore cannot afford to exclude anyone, any technology, any company with access to frontier ideas, frontier technologies. For that, I also need to make an appeal.”
“It demonstrated that the UN is still, from time to time, against great difficulty, able to arrive at consensus and able to advance the agenda for collective good. International law is also important for us. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the legal framework that ensures that freedom of navigation and overflight is a right and not exercised only by the grace of any resident big power. Without UNCLOS and the right of transit passage, Singapore would effectively be "sea-locked". So, it is a crucial plank of international law for Singapore. Despite the challenges, with patient and skillful diplomacy, the point I am trying to make is that it is still possible to arrive at international agreements by consensus. Another recent example was the adoption of the treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). This agreement was settled in June 2023. Our Ambassador Rena Lee presided over the inter-governmental conference. Again, she very skillfully managed to bring all parties together, arrive at the treaty, by consensus. She has done incredibly well. We are nominating her for the International Court of Justice elections due in November 2026. I hope all Members will support this nomination as well. Mdm Chair, staying open and nimble in seizing new opportunities in technological frontiers has also been the other cylinder for Singapore's success. The short answer to the question Members have raised on how to maintain our access to frontier technology, the short answer is: openness and trust. We must actively create opportunities that will enable Singapore to be a magnet for ideas, technology, talent and capital.”
“Last October, we had eight MOUs with the United Arab Emirates in social development, leadership development, AI and civilian nuclear energy. We are also stepping up engagement of Africa, a centre of growth for the future. So, as you can see, we have been working very hard on this strong, wide network of partners with whom we can trade, invest, do business with and engage in constructive partnerships on these emerging issues. Not bad, considering the zeitgeist of our times. At the UN, we continue to be a staunch advocate for multilateralism, for adherence to international law, for the importance of the UN Charter. This system is vital for countries, big and small, in order for us to have a chance to compete on a level playing field. Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Mr Mark Lee have asked about this. Singapore must and will remain a strong supporter of multilateralism. We will make common cause and we will stand up for this. This is why we established the Forum of Small States (FOSS) back in 1992, which now has 108 members. In fact, this is a majority of members of the UN. FOSS is a platform to foster closer cooperation, reinforce multilateralism and support the developmental aspirations of small states. And we will continue to strengthen and improve the existing international architecture and ensure that it is fit-for-purpose. Our mantra is that it is better to reform than to risk a revolution that will destroy the old regime, the old order, the old arrangements completely, because the alternative is bad for small states. That is why we welcomed the adoption of the Pact of the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations at the Summit for the Future in 2024. This was a significant milestone for the international community.”
“If you actually pay attention to these countries, in fact, their elections have thrown up a very wide diversity of political parties, but they have all been keen to do free trade agreements with us. We believe this will expand markets and increase opportunities for us in Latin America. We are also pressing ahead on the digital economy. Singapore, New Zealand and Chile signed the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement in 2020. The Republic of Korea (ROK) became the latest entrant to this agreement in 2024 and there are several other aspirants in the queue with whom we are in discussion. We have also concluded negotiations on the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement in July 2024. We agreed to elevate relations with India to a comprehensive strategic partnership and we are well-poised to participate in India's growth potential. With Australia, we are setting an ambitious agenda for the next phase of our comprehensive strategic partnership, which will be refreshed this year. It will cover cooperation in emerging areas like AI, biotechnology and renewable energy. We will also elevate our enhanced partnership with New Zealand. We will continue to work closely with Japan which remains committed to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and to closer economic ties. With the Republic of Korea, we are working to upgrade relations to a strategic partnership later this year. We have also upgraded relations with the UK and Germany to a strategic partnership and we are working to enhance relations with France to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Our relations with the Gulf are also robust. This year, we signed an MOU establishing a Strategic Partnership Council with Saudi Arabia.”
“45 pm We must also do far more with one another and double down on ASEAN's economic integration in order to improve our collective value proposition and collective resilience, especially in food and energy. We are looking to conclude negotiations on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Upgrade this year, which will grow intra-ASEAN trade. We are also making progress in new economic areas. We aim to conclude the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) this year and we are making progress on the ASEAN Power Grid. Beyond our immediate neighbourhood, it is also crucial for us to make common cause with as many partners as possible, including India, Japan, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. I can say my diplomats have worked very hard to expand our network of overlapping circles of friends. We already have an extensive network of 27 free trade agreements (FTAs) that cover 90% of our trade. My counterparts from some of these other countries have shared that they, too, are concerned about the impact of increasing contestation and rising protectionism. They, too, would prefer a world that is open and committed to trade. This means that even though free trade has had a setback, we can still make common cause with those who believe it is a formula for mutual peace and prosperity, and we have got to keep that flame going. So, for instance, Members may or may not be aware that we have been able to sign new trade agreements in the last few years. For instance, Mercosur in 2023, which is Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay; and the Pacific Alliance, which is Peru, Chile, Mexico, Columbia, in 2022.”
“With Indonesia, the expanded framework agreements on airspace, defence and extradition entered into force last year, and this was a major achievement. President Prabowo has now taken over. Fortunately for us, he is familiar with Singapore and we have been able to work well with him. In fact, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was the first foreign leader to visit Jakarta after President Prabowo took office. We are making good progress, including in areas like renewable energy, human capital development and particularly, in the fields of education and healthcare. Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked how we can ensure ASEAN's continued relevance and centrality. It is worth remembering that ASEAN was founded in 1967 on the principle that either we hang together or we will be hung separately. It was forged in a time when Southeast Asia was an arena for proxy wars during the Cold War period, and ASEAN's founder members were the non-communist part of Southeast Asia. Given that we are now entering another dangerous volatile phase, this concept of hanging together has just become even more salient. ASEAN, so far, has been able to maintain regional peace and stability, and enabled all of us collectively to focus on economic growth and in particular, economic integration. All member states are concerned about the wider geopolitical developments and the intensifying contestation. And ASEAN's convening power will remain relevant and important in the years ahead, to ensure that whilst we do not want to be an arena for proxy wars, we do want to be a safe harbour where all powers will have a stake in our success, and that we can maximise opportunities and autonomy for ASEAN member states. 4.”
“And that is valuable and appreciated by both of them. We have maintained our relevance and credibility with both powers by being consistent, by being transparent and being constructive. We do not simply tell them what they want to hear, but we are principled, we are trustworthy and we play a straight game. And both of them know that when Singapore takes a stand, it is not because we are doing it at the behest of its rival, of its adversary, but that we take a stand because we have done our own calculation of what is in our long-term enlightened national interest. Moving on to our immediate neighbourhood, we must continue to strengthen our ties in our region, bilaterally, especially and most intensively, with Malaysia and Indonesia, and obviously with ASEAN. We will continue to do so on the basis of interdependency, mutual respect and aim to build healthy relations, which will be crucial for stability and growth of our entire region. Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Vikram Nair has asked about the state of our relations with Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively. I think we all know there is much to be gained by working together constructively with your most immediate neighbours. With Malaysia, we continue to work on the delimitation of our maritime boundaries. There is still some areas there to be settled. We are working. We are negotiating on airspace and on water. Both Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have committed to not allow any single issue to overshadow our overall positive agenda. And we are pursuing mutually beneficial projects, both bilaterally and regionally, to strengthen connections and connectivity for the long term.”
“So, fundamentally, our foreign policy must continue to be anchored by long-standing principles that have kept us afloat for six decades, even whilst we make tactical adjustments, or even strategic adjustments to our approach. We must maintain an omni-directional, a balance and a constructive engagement with all partners. Yes, I know is going to be more difficult when they are quarrelling with each other, but in fact, all the more important, we have to work at it. So, Mr Mark Lee, Mr Henry Kwek, Mr Vikram Nair, Ms Poh Li San have asked how we can continue to build on our honest and constructive relations with the US and China, amidst their rivalry. I believe it is crucial that we maintain our ties with both countries, given our significant equities with both. The US is the largest foreign investor in Singapore, by far. It is our top trading partner in services. It is our third largest trading partner in goods. And on the defence front, Minister Ng has already explained to you, how we are the US' only major security cooperation partner and we have a mutually beneficial relationship. Meanwhile, China is our top trading partner in goods. Many of our companies are invested in China. In fact, according to China's statistics, Singapore is their largest foreign investor. And of course, we have strong people-to-people ties, historical and cultural ties. Both the US and China are also at the frontier of many leading technologies, whether it be AI, biotechnology or green energy. We must be able to continue to work with both of them and ensure that our relations are mutually beneficial. We will never be the largest trading or strategic partner to either China or the US, basically, because we are a small country, but we can be amongst their most reliable and consistent partners.”
“You heard Minister Ng explain that we make the extra effort to deliver these supplies through the Republic of Singapore Air Force. It is crucial, therefore, that we stay united and keep being able to adopt this collective constructive approach, even when we have different views to events and tragedies far from our shores. And a deeper reason why we need to do this is because if conflict broke out nearer to us, in Asia, it will not only have even greater emotional resonance, it will have a larger economic impact and it will also elicit a range of reaction from our people, and it will be even harder to manage. It is also worth remembering that there will always be external actors who will try to influence the views of our people and take advantage of our diversity. In fact, long before the onset of kinetic action, we must expect grey zone tactics to be used to divide and polarise our people. And so, we must be prepared. We can have different views, but we will stay united and we will close ranks on issues of national interest, so that we can ultimately secure what is best for Singapore. Let me turn now to the question of how are we going to conduct our foreign policy in these tumultuous times. How are we going to engage the world and our partners in this rapidly changing landscape, given that we are not sure where the next conflict or consummation of a condominium between big powers will occur. And as Minister Ng put it, a very stark reminder, if anyone says they know exactly what is going to happen next, that shows a very dangerous delusion. You do not know what is going to happen next, but you know that we are living in dangerous times.”
“And the reason why we have to be so categorical is because if Singapore was ever attacked in this way – and the risks are not zero – but if Singapore was ever attacked in this way, we too would certainly exercise our right of self-defence to the full. And it is why that in the aftermath of that attack we had strongly reaffirmed the right to self-defence. You see, in the case of both Ukraine and Hamas, we took positions for our own sake, for our own national interest, and not because we were taking sides. At the same time, that right of self-defence must be consistent with international law, humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions, and that is why we told Israel, directly and personally, that Israel's military response has gone too far. And we say all this because it is in our national interest for international law to be upheld and not to be flouted. Singapore's long-standing position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue is that the only path to a just, durable and comprehensive peace is a negotiated two-state solution, and we have consistently supported the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland of their own since the 1960s. In fact, since we became Independent. To this end, we will continue to support the Palestinian Authority to build the capacity and to prepare for eventual statehood, and we do so through our enhanced technical assistance package. But that is not enough, because we all do feel deep sympathy for the immense suffering of the civilians, and thus far, Singapore and Singaporeans have contributed seven tranches of aid and monetary donations to Gaza worth over $19 million – and we will do more. Funds are being collected, even now in this month, the holy month of Ramadan. I thank Singaporeans for your generosity.”
“We have no need for assistance or loans that will subject us to external pressure. We are not dependent on any single external partner. And perhaps even more importantly, and you have just heard Minister Ng's speech earlier, we do not depend on any external country to defend Singapore. We have the capability and the will to defend ourselves. For six decades, we have invested fiscal resources, approved by Parliament, and every man in this Chamber and his son has served National Service. The fact that everybody knows that we are good for our money and we put our blood where we stand on, is the core of deterrence and respect. But all this is not enough if we did not have unity at home, and we need to live up to the pledge to be one united people, regardless of race, language or religion. And on this note, I want to thank the Opposition that so far, we have worked on the basis that politics stops at the water's edge, and our diplomacy works because we have painstakingly forged and maintain domestic consensus on our core long-term interest in foreign policy priorities. Our diversity in Singapore does mean that from time to time, Singaporeans will have different views on developments around the world, and we have to provide space for this diversity to be expressed, but without letting it become a means to divide us as a country. A clear example is the disaster in Gaza. It is a deeply emotional issue and many Singaporeans feel very deeply about this, have expressed a range of emotions, and sometimes, even conflicting emotions on this point. But let me be clear. When we make our foreign policy decisions, we do so on the basis of national interest. The attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023 was an act of terror. No ifs, buts, root causes and justifications.”
“Let us return back to Singapore again. Our foreign policy begins at home and it must always be a balance between realism and idealism. It means that we must have no illusions about our place in the world. But small as we are, for 60 years, we have refused to adopt a fatalistic posture. We have insisted on agency to build our strength, to protect our sovereignty, maintain our relevance and to create political and economic space for ourselves. We strive to be useful, but not to be made use of. And of course, to avoid becoming a sacrificial pawn between big powers. I have dwelt at length on the dangers arising from the end of the previous world order. The point is I am making an appeal for us all to be alert, to be realistic and to be careful in dangerous times. But a note of caution is not a call for pessimism because, in fact, Singapore has good reason to have confidence in our future, due to the pioneering work of our past generations. 4.30 pm Today, we are in a strong position. Our core strengths are based on three key pillars: first, our economic strength and our reserves; second, our ability to stand on our two feet and to defend ourselves; and third, our domestic cohesion. Because of our strength economically, we cannot be bullied or bought. We have significant national reserves, and if the biggest criticism that we face in this Budget is budget marksmanship and having more reserves than we had anticipated, I think that is a reason for celebration, considering the circumstances in which we are going into. This is an enormous advantage. On the international stage, if you have to put your hand out for assistance, it means you have no say. It is a big advantage for Singapore not to have to beg for aid.”
“The Taiwan Strait remains a potential flashpoint and we all know that tensions have increased in recent years. All these global developments, on both the economic and geostrategic fronts, have profound implications for us. The rules-based international order that has prevailed for 80 years at risk of degenerating into the law of the jungle, where “might makes right”. International law, the UN Charter, the principles of sovereign equality, political independence, and territorial integrity have all been severely eroded. We may, in fact, be reverting to a time when the world is divided into blocs controlled by big powers. And by definition, this must mean the loss of choice and autonomy for small states. I recall a speech that Mr Lee Kuan Yew gave back in 1973, the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. He referred to an old African proverb, that “when elephants fight, the grass suffers”. But he added one additional line, “and when elephants make love, it is disastrous.” I would not go through the powerful imagery, but the point is, when big powers are on the move, for whatever reason, it is a dangerous time for the rest of us. Third implication is our ability to respond collectively to global threats and safeguard the global commons has been significantly impaired. The collective commitment to international institutions such as the WTO and WHO as well as compliance with international treaties like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement that resulted from it, are all waning. Imagine, is the world today in a better state to deal with another pandemic, given a severely weakened WHO, and how are we going respond to climate change if we do not have the institutions and the processes to protect the global commerce?”
“Similarly, I had a telephone conversation with my counterpart from Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, last week. I asked him about the war. Not about the details, the operational details, but about why this was happening. And he told me, and I am paraphrasing, that this war was about his country’s sovereignty, his country’s territorial integrity and freedom to choose how to organise a society and to have a closer strategic relationship with Europe. And then, for good measure, he added laconically, “and our critical minerals”. Both Russia and Ukraine, and I have taken pains to emphasise that all my interactions with the foreign ministers, know that Singapore is upholding principles and we are not taking sides. The Europeans and Americans initially responded forcefully to defend Ukraine and to isolate Russia. But recent pronouncements and actions by the new US administration, most recently, the dramatic live video from the Oval Office, have dramatically underlined a change in long-standing US policy. It is now clear that the trans-Atlantic relationship is under severe strain and NATO members are now seriously and urgently rethinking their strategic and security situation and their policy options. In fact, meetings are going on even now as we speak. And, cast your mind one more step. After the failure of the security guarantees for Ukraine that were given in 1994 in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons. After what has happened to Ukraine, I doubt any current nuclear or proto-nuclear weapon state will ever give up its nuclear option, and all this makes for a much more dangerous world. Closer home, tensions in the South China Sea, through which one-third of global trade passes through, continue to simmer.”
“Unfortunately, technology has become a focal point for strategic contestation between the big powers. And as countries bid to stay ahead, several have imposed restrictions and export controls on semi-conductor chips, critical minerals and on data. For instance, the US’ AI Diffusion Rule, although not yet finalised and is still subject to changes, but this rule essentially will limit the export of advanced chips that are essential for AI. China’s retaliatory restrictions on its own export of critical minerals to the US will also disrupt supply chains, raise production costs and have an impact on global research and development and innovation. And amidst the heightened scrutiny over advanced technology, Singapore may be criticised for working with or hosting companies and officials from one side or the other, or both. There will be centrifugal pressure from all sides that will make it increasingly hard for us to operate and it will threaten our raison d’être as an open hub. The second set of implications is on war and peace. The Russia-Ukraine war has now entered its fourth year. In its immediate aftermath, global energy and food prices surged, and this worsened global inflation in 2022. Russia cited “historical errors” and “crazy decisions” to justify an invasion and to annex territory of its smaller neighbour. As a tiny city state that has been independent for only 60 years, this immediately rang alarm bells for us in Singapore. I have known the Russian Foreign Minister for quite a long time, so we have very open conversations. And in 2022, I explained to him that because of Singapore’s circumstances, we had to uphold the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity.”
“The US has announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, and in turn, these countries have also signalled retaliatory measures. Tit-for-tat tariffs by other countries could easily escalate into a global trade war. Singapore, so far, has not been targeted directly. But even if we are not, we will still be affected. These tariffs will have a major impact on the volume and patterns of world trade and significantly affect us. The first level, as a transshipment hub and with all the other global services that we provide to the world. There will be supply chain disruptions, there will be more volatile prices. And it is worth remembering, if you cast your mind back to the 1930s, the Great Depression, retaliatory “beggar-thy-neighbour” policies, in fact, slowed growth rates everywhere. So, we need to be prepared for this. But the problems go beyond just trade and tariffs. Because, in fact, there are also implications on the global financial systems and the way frontier technology, which some of the Members have referred to, is being developed, is being shared and is being exploited. In a sense, all these levers, tariffs, financial systems and technology may be weaponised. Because Singapore operates as an open economy that is deeply integrated with all the big powers around the world, we trade, invest and access technologies from all of them. We are a vital node in a global network. We connect and enable interoperability. The Singapore model is built on trust, openness and a level playing field. We allow companies from all over the world to operate here as long as they play by the rules. And that is how we have survived and thrived for six decades. This open paradigm that has served us so well for six decades is now at risk.”
“Countries have turned inwards, ostensibly in the name of national security, resilience and de-risking in order to secure their individual interests in this turbulent environment. This is not merely a sudden temporary change in diplomatic weather. This is geostrategic climate change. A new world order is taking shape and is characterised by profound unpredictability, instability and volatility. The question then is what does this portend for us in Singapore? This is a question on all your minds. There are three broad sets of implications for Singapore. First, on the economic front. The US, for a very long time, was the main advocate for freer trade globally. Post-World War II, the US had a disproportionate share of global gross domestic product (GDP) at 40%. Today, the US’ share of global GDP has declined to around 26%, although in absolute nomimal terms, its GDP has grown tremendously. It is a completely understandable political question for the domestic American voter to say, why should the US continue to unilaterally underwrite this liberal world order which, in fact, has brought peace and prosperity for so many other countries around the world. And so, over the last decade, the US has progressively shifted to a more nationalist approach, in response to what it deems to be unfair trade measures and free riding. The new US administration clearly sees tariffs as a means to address non-trade-related policy objectives, including national security, local job creation, more resilient supply chains and bargaining leverage. Other major countries are also using similar restrictions on trade more frequently, and not always confining themselves to trade-related issues. Tariffs are being applied to partners, competitors and adversaries alike.”
“This world order was initially envisioned and underwritten by the US and supported by its transatlantic allies in Western Europe. In turn, it was boosted by the reform and opening (改革开放) in China, under Mr Deng Xiaoping, since 1978. The economic liberalisation of India under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao since 1991; and the integration of ASEAN economies, especially at the end of the Cold War, when Indochina joined us. This global order was very favourable for a tiny city-state, which has a trade volume three times our gross domestic product (GDP); and Singapore's role as a global financial centre and our business ecosystem, with intensive interactions between local and foreign companies engaged in advanced manufacturing and the provision of sophisticated services for a global market. In a sense, the point I am making is that Singapore enjoyed the best of many worlds and we were able to go to fire on all cylinders. Unfortunately, the world is now shifting from unipolarity to multipolarity, from free trade to protectionism, from multilateralism to unilateralism, from globalisation to hyper-nationalism, from openness to xenophobia, from optimism to anxiety. And this is a global change, not just in one place. The big powers are taking a narrower view of their national interests and they are adopting a more transactional, frankly sometimes, even more coercive approach. And because there is a lack of strategic trust between the big powers, each of them has deep anxiety to stay ahead of each other. These profound shifts have ushered in an era of sharper rivalry, autarky and the fracturing of global supply chains.”
“Mdm Chairperson, this is the 10th time I am addressing the Committee of Supply (COS) as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I have never seen the world more disrupted, more volatile or more dangerous. So, this is a more sombre, a more careful and a brutally frank message this year. The common thread in all the intervention so far has been this big question: has the post-World War Two liberal world order come to an end? This is a world order which has prevailed for eighty years. In 2025, Singapore celebrates our 60th anniversary, but it is also the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In these six decades, successive generations of hardworking and disciplined Singaporeans have built up our tiny city-state into an outstanding beacon of economic and social success. That we did so without any natural resources or past fiscal reserves is all the more remarkable. But we should also be realistic and humble enough to be cognisant that there were external factors that were very conducive to our success. The post-World War liberal world order was characterised by first, the proliferation and the rise of free trade and global supply chains and multinational enterprises; second, the establishment of multilateral institutions, United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization (WTO) for trade, and the World Health Organization (WHO) for health; third, the development of international law and the treaties to protect the global commons, including, for instance, the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Treaty for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ).”
“Mr Speaker, no, we have not been consulted by the US on this specific proposal that President Trump announced some time ago. But our position is clear. I have just stated it just now. In fact, I have stated it repeatedly, over the years, and it is an unchanged principled position. Everyone is aware of our position on this.”
“Mr Speaker, Singapore has consistently supported the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland of their own. We believe that this is the only viable path for achieving a comprehensive, just and durable solution to this long-standing and tragic Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and that the only path is a negotiated two-state solution, in particular, negotiations between Palestinians and the Isrealis. This principled position is consistent with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will continue to support the humanitarian needs of displaced persons from the Rakhine State by contributing to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. In 2025, this will amount to over $120,000. MFA will monitor the situation and engage our partners to assess how we can most effectively contribute to ongoing humanitarian relief efforts.”
“And that is why everything that Minister Tan has said applies to all our trading partners. I think I have said enough. And I hope I have reassured the Member and other Members of this House.”
“In fact, right now, the rules are up for comments and the situation is still evolving. We are not in Tier One, but we are in Tier Two, in good company with about 150 other countries. I do not want to get into detail about the exact number of chips and whether that currently poses a constraint for us. Needless to say, we will continue to engage the major exporting source of these advanced chips to ensure that we have adequate. And I am sure Members of this House will also be aware, when dealing with sensitive topics like this, it is not in our national interest to compromise our negotiating positions when it deals with strategic items on this score. So, I hope the Member understands that the situation that has arisen is: one, because of our unique role and indeed our successful performance of this unique, global role; and two, the fact that we are a trusted, reliable and honest player. If you zoom out, beyond chips and export controls, the point is this: Singapore, as a tiny island city-state and a trading hub, we do need to stand in favour of free trade. We do need to play a critical role in global supply chains. Second point, because we are small, we have to subscribe to international law and multilateral rules, and processes and institutions to give effect to multilateral rules. It comes with being small. Third point, we always have to seek to be relevant to the world, to be useful to big and middle powers, but we will not be made use of, either by other powers or even by companies pursuing pecuniary interest. And my final point, in a world which is bifurcating, fracturing or polarising and divided, it is all the more important for us to play it straight, for me to say the same thing in Beijing and Washington, and to be fair.”
“It is possible for 200 countries to promulgate unilateral export measures. We have explained that we are not legally obliged to enforce that unilateral export measures of 200 countries. But we will enforce the multilateral agreed-upon export control regimes. Having said that, it is not in our national interest to be made use of and for companies who, for whatever reasons, are trying perhaps to evade unilateral export control measures that apply to them, to use their association with Singapore – because people know Singapore is a clean, hygienic, transparent and reputable place – we will not allow them to use that association with us to engage in deceptive or evasive measures to avoid unilateral export measures that apply to them. The point is the onus is on that company and we will not countenance evasion, deception, false declarations or even mis-accounting; and that we will act on. And as and when a trading partner comes to us and says, "We have concerns", at that point, we would certainly facilitate investigations or at least, have a deeper look at the data and see whether there is any cause for concern, and we do that in order to protect our own national interest. Specifically for advanced semi-conductor chips. We too have a need for semi-conductors. It is true that we are also part of the global chains that manufacture and export semi-conductors. But those that are currently manufactured in Singapore are not the H100s, the high-end chips which are used for AI. But we need them for our own purposes and we therefore have to monitor the export regimes of the manufacturers of these chips. The Member referred to our Tier Two classification. Well, first of all, they call it the AI Diffusion Rule. It was first published near the tail-end of the Biden Administration.”
“Mr Speaker, Singapore is a transshipment hub, a vital regional and global headquarters for thousands of international companies. Our trade volume is three times our gross domestic product (GDP), and the range of activities that our companies are engaged in, and not just companies owned by Singapore and Singaporeans, but by global owners of these companies, have a regional and international footprint. So, I am not sure what Assoc Prof Jamus Lim is referring to when he says imbalances. These unique characteristics are par for the course for the unique role that Singapore plays in the global economy. So, for instance, when, as the Member correctly said, Nvidia states in its returns that 22% of sales of chips were booked to entities with operations in Singapore, but my colleague has already explained to the Member only 1% physically came to Singapore and was deployed in data centres here, serving the Government and other major enterprises, including, I should add, hyperscalers. So, there is nothing unusual or unbalanced about that. The nub of the question really is whether Singapore is being used by these enterprises and companies to evade unilateral export controls. And my colleague has very carefully explained to this House that Singapore, by law, through the Strategic Goods Control Act, gives effect to multilateral export control regimes. He referred to the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. Basically, these are focused especially on weapons or weapons of mass destruction, chemical and biological threats, and other potentially significant dual-use equipment. And these have force of law and we take our reference from the United Nations Security Council. There are 200 countries in the world.”
“I note Mr Dennis Tan's continued interest on allegations of arms exports from Singapore to Myanmar. As I had explained in this House in February and July 2023, also in response to Mr Tan's questions on both occasions, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Thomas Andrews reaffirmed in his report that "there are no indications that the Government of Singapore has approved, or is involved in, the shipment of arms and associated materials to the Myanmar military." [Please refer to "Checks on Singapore Companies to Prohibit Transfer to Myanmar of Items with Potential Military Application", Official Report, 14 February 2023, Vol 95, Issue 83, Oral Answers to Questions section; and "Review following UN Special Rapporteur's Report of Singapore-based Entities Providing Supplies to Myanmar Military", Official Report, 3 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 105, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]”
“This question has been addressed in the reply to Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng on 4 February 2025. [Please refer to "Facilitating Humanitarian Aid and Fundraising Efforts following Ceasefire in Israel and Hamas Conflict", Official Report, 4 February 2025, Vol 95, Issue 150, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“This question has been addressed in my reply to Member of Parliament Mr Ang Wei Neng on 4 February 2025. [Please refer to "Facilitating Humanitarian Aid and Fundraising Efforts following Ceasefire in Israel and Hamas Conflict", Official Report, 4 February 2025, Vol 95, Issue 150, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“I know we are under time pressure so, obviously, I cannot give the Member a comprehensive answer to all that and, in any case, the news is still unfolding. But just take a step back, I think tariffs and emerging tariffs are a reality going forward. I will take some risk and say that I do not anticipate us being on the hit list for direct tariffs because, as I said earlier in my answer, the US has a surplus in as far as the trade balance with us is concerned. Having said that, even if you assume that there are no tariffs, no direct tariffs against the export of Singapore products and services, the fact that we are a small open economy and that trade constitutes more than three times our gross domestic product means if there is any friction, if there is any degradation of economic integration global supply chains and world trade, we will be impacted indirectly. So, this is an area which we are watching very, very closely but I hope Members in this House will recognise that it still means we need to keep calm, we need to keep our eyes open. But we need to be very careful in what we say and how we behave and playing it straight, saying the same thing to everyone and meaning, and doing what we say, is valuable. But I do need to prepare Singaporeans that it will be a turbulent ride in the months or years to come.”
“With the US, ASEAN and the US elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 and we were able to adopt a Leaders’ level statement on cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as well as on artificial intelligence. Specifically, with respect to Singapore, we will have to continue to play a constructive, inclusive role in a nimble way given our size. So, that means, we have to be consistent, reliable and a trustworthy host to enterprises from all over the world, including the US and China. We will uphold the rule of law and sanctity of contract. We will act decisively and firmly against individuals and companies that flout the rules. Or maybe, let me rephrase that more colloquially. It means playing it straight, it means saying the same thing to everyone and it means doing what we say. At a time of tension, instability and volatility, our Singapore branding and the way we speak and behave, in fact, becomes more valuable.”
“But again, if you look at the headlines over the last few days, it is not just the US and China, but also its relationship within its own allies and neighbours in its own hemisphere, and its evolving relationship with the European Union (EU). And the challenge, therefore, is how Singapore and Southeast Asia should respond. We believe there needs to be an omni-directional engagement on our part with all the multiple poles of power that are emerging. That means, engaging with the US, engaging with China, India, the EU, Africa and South America. And you would notice our intensive diplomacy and economic engagement across the world. The signing of FTAs like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is ASEAN with China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. You would have noticed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which initially was supposed to include the US. The US pulled out, the rest continued and the TPP has grown since then. You would also have noticed that we have now signed FTAs with the Pacific Alliance, which is Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, and we also signed one with Mercosur, which is Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is worth noting that all these FTAs that Singapore has been able to sign have occurred despite the mood against globalisation. And in fact, if you look at the variety of governments in charge of these countries, they range across a very wide political spectrum. But the point is we can still continue to engage and make common calls as widely as possible in order to expand opportunities and to look for stability.”
“It has also supported ASEAN economic initiatives, especially capacity building in areas like digital trade, trade facilitation and the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. The US has also cooperated closely with ASEAN on emerging issues like clean energy and cybersecurity. But the world is now at a new inflection point, probably at a point which we have not faced for almost a century. The liberal world order that prevailed after the Second World War, which was characterised in three dimensions: one, domestically, usually democracy and human rights; two, economically, by global supply chains and economic integration; and three, at the international level by the development of international institutions, the United Nations, the Bretton Woods institutions, international law, international norms and rules. That liberal world order, which, in fact, has been quite conducive for Singapore’s progress in the last 60 years, is now being eroded and it is being eroded because it has lost domestic political support in many parts of the world. And I set that out so that we can also situate the changes which are happening within the US and the unfolding drama of its relations with its own treaty allies, with Europe, with China, with Southeast Asia. And therefore, how we need to respond to this profound challenge. The US’ relationship with China is, in fact, the most consequential relationship in the world. How these two superpowers interact with one another has deep implications for global stability and prosperity. Right now, I would characterise it as a significant lack of strategic trust between these two superpowers. And we are all witnessing a bifurcation, a decoupling of the global economy as a result of that.”
“In fact, if you add up the stock of US foreign direct investment (FDI) into Singapore, the US has invested more in Singapore than it has invested cumulatively in China, India, Japan and Korea combined. Quite a shocking statistic. The US has invested more in Singapore than it has invested in India, China, Japan and Korea combined. That is why we have 6,000, in fact, more than 6,000 US firms based in Singapore, creating jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans. Meanwhile, Singapore is the third largest Asian investor in the US and there are some 200 Singapore companies in 40 states. Together, our bilateral trade and investments between the US and Singapore generate over 350,000 jobs in the US. We have also worked well with President Donald Trump during his first term. In October 2017, President Trump invited then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to visit the US. And of course, in June 2018, President Trump came to Singapore to attend the US-North Korea Summit. In 2019, then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Trump signed the Protocol of Amendment to the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding the United States Use of Facilities in Singapore. This extended the MOU by a further 15 years and it underscores our strong bilateral defence relationship and Singapore’s support for the US strategic presence in our region. We look forward to working closely again with President Trump to further deepen bilateral ties in the years ahead. The US presence in our part of the world has actually helped to provide security, stability and economic opportunities in the Asia Pacific for the past 80 years. The US is ASEAN’s second-largest trading partner and the largest source of FDI into ASEAN.”
“Mr Speaker, Mr Neil Parekh has asked a very topical question, which I have had to update just in the last few days. He has asked for an assessment of Singapore-United States (US) bilateral ties. Singapore and the US enjoy a substantive, multifaceted and a very long-standing partnership. The fundamentals of this mutually beneficial relationship have been nurtured across both Democratic and Republican Administrations over the past 60 years. Bipartisan. Singapore worked closely with the Administration of former President Joe Biden. During this time, our bilateral ties broadened, we institutionalised cooperation in areas including space, critical and emerging technologies and nuclear energy. For example, in 2023, we established the US-Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue, which bolsters our collaboration in cutting-edge technology. In December 2024, the US-Singapore 123 Agreement entered into force and in January this year, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation. Together, these agreements and partnerships will deepen civil nuclear cooperation, it will enable us to better understand how advanced nuclear energy technologies can potentially support our clean energy needs. In 2024, we also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA). This was the US’ first FTA with an Asian country and, in fact, remains its only FTA with an ASEAN country. The USSFTA contributed to the tripling of bilateral trade since 2004 and has allowed the US to consistently maintain a trade surplus with Singapore. Today, the US is our top trading partner in services, our second largest trading partner in goods and our largest foreign investor.”
“Mr Tan is right, there are dire needs on the ground and there are dire infrastructural needs – housing, utilities, water, electricity, hospitals, schools. But, actually, the key impediment to all this still remains a sustainable peace. And until there is an assurance of that, and because as the Member has said, actually the limiting factor is not money. There are more than enough donors, even in the Middle East alone, who will be quite happy to contribute. But it is an assurance of peace, an assurance that there is a political solution and that whatever is built will benefit everyone fairly and will not be destroyed again in the next paroxysm of violence.”
“This is also a reason for us to reflect on what we have achieved in Singapore and what to avoid, what to do more of and how to be a relevant and constructive example to other parts of the world.”
“Mr Speaker, this is an area where we do need to be circumspect and to understand the limits of our role. What we have in place now is a multi-phase ceasefire. In fact, only the first phase has been agreed and so far, despite initial anxieties, it seems to be progressing. Members have all seen the release of hostages and a ceasefire continues to hold. On the point of the hostages, I should also mention the fact that I was very glad to see five Thai hostages released. These are people who are completely innocent who have nothing to do with the conflict there. They have been held hostage for more than a year. I was very glad to see them released as well. Having said all that, phase two and phase three are going to be very, very complicated. And they will depend, as I said earlier, on the political will, the imagination and the courage of the leaders on all sides to actually sit down and work through those very complicated negotiations that will be needed. There is a very limited role for us here, in respect of that. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians whom we have engaged know our position. We stand for peace. We stand for development. We believe the Palestinians need their own state. But we believe this can only come about through a negotiated two-state solution. And the two parties need to meet directly, face-to-face and to work out these complicated details. That is the only way you are going to get a comprehensive, just and durable solution. But we should approach this from a position of humility and goodwill, and whatever we can contribute, in our own small way, we will continue to do so, And let us just reflect also – this is the season when we are still celebrating Chinese New Year, looking forward to Ramadan, SG60.”
“The humanitarian support has been provided in several separate channels. First, that is the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid: food, essential supplies, medical supplies. And for that, I should highlight the role of our RSAF in delivering these physical supplies on the ground and through even heli-drops. And as I said, there will be another mission to send further supplies to Jordan in the coming weeks. So, that is one channel. Another channel is money. As I had illustrated just now, Minister Maliki was in Jordan. Almost $1.3 million dollars were donated to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and to UNICEF focusing especially and obviously, on children. The third modality. Members might recall that we have doctors in Singapore who have been providing teleconsultation for the more complicated cases resulting from injuries in Gaza. And I want to make a shout-out for them. I am quite sure if we asked for volunteers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, would line up to go, but my concern is to make sure that it can be done safely. So, for that, I will not make any commitments at this stage. And then the fourth, as I illustrated earlier, is in our ongoing interactions with the Palestinian Authority – capacity building, education and scholarships. So, we will continue to do more of this. We will also continue to be very mindful that we need to make sure all our contributions are properly accounted for and used to benefit the widest group who need it the most. Could the Member share his second supplementary question again?”
“I also remind them that, in fact, Gaza is about half the size of Singapore and it has got a population one-third of Singapore. Which means, actually, Singapore is a more crowded, congested placed than Gaza. Again, the peace, the security, the cohesion and, of course, the economic success of Singapore stand as a beacon of hope and of what is possible in the future. So, it is these intangible elements that, in fact, give us more salience. But without overstating a point – at the end, we are far away and we are small. We are not in the immediate neighbourhood. We cannot rebuild Gaza. But we can stand as a positive example of a successful multiracial, multi-religious society which has learned to hang together, to confront challenges collectively and we have succeeded, so far, for 60 years.”
“Mr Zhulkarnain has actually raised quite a profound point. That, first, we count our blessings in Singapore. That we are able to live at peace with security, a multiracial, multi-religious, multilingual society. A tiny city-state in the heart of Southeast Asia. Even as we count our blessings, we do not take it for granted. What has happened in the Middle East, as indeed in many other troubled spots in the world, can also act, if we are not careful, to divide us or to polarise us in our responses to events far away. I consider it a blessing that in all these months, we have been able to keep our society together. We recognise that there may be differences in resonance or in reactions to the same incident. But that has not stopped us from being united, by being cohesive, by being constructive and, in fact, being open-hearted and generous across all communities. This is a very important point. I should also add that in all my interactions with the Palestinian Authority over the years and with our Arab partners in the Middle East. They have always been very intrigued. The Member has been with me on our visit and so has Mr Gerald Giam. They have been very intrigued when they looked at the composition of our delegation and how that diverse crew can work so closely together and be constructive. Singapore's position when we interact with the Palestinians is, first, they are just interested in how we do it. And that is why, when we offer capacity-building programmes and focus on education, focus on training, focus on helping them come up to speed with public administration, with digitalisation and finance and all the other aspects, it has got extra resonance and there is extra interest.”
“I thank the Member's residents and indeed Singaporeans all over who have contributed generously and, I am sure, will continue to contribute generously during the holy month of Ramadan. There are many needs in Gaza and we will focus especially on our partnership with the Palestinian Authority in particular, on capacity building. And that means, especially on education, on scholarships. We are, in fact, expanding our scholarships to both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to deserving Palestinian scholars who will get in on their merit. We will also work closely to provide training opportunities for the bureaucrats in the Palestinian Authority, because they need to step up capacity if they are able to engage not only in reconstruction but ultimately, in administering a state of their own in a constructive way. And that is the only way to really give long-term hope to the people of Palestine who deserve so much more. So, watch this space. We will continue to work very closely with the Palestinian Authority and our partners throughout the Middle East.”
“Therefore, we continue to monitor very closely the developments in the Middle East and we are grateful that our strong ties with various partners in the Middle East have prevailed. In fact, working together has given us opportunities to deepen these diplomatic relations and that is why we have been able to convey timely humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Gaza. Mr Zhulkarnain and Mr Yam also asked about the role that Singapore can play in contributing to sustaining the ceasefire agreement, and promoting regional peace and stability. I understand the intent behind these questions, but I think we need to be realistic and we need to be circumspect about the role that we can play. What we can do, from far away, is to encourage all the parties to reach an agreement for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to pursue a longer-term solution. But we need to understand the complexity and the deep historical entanglements of this conflict in the Middle East, and there will be no quick and easy solution. Singapore supports the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland of their own. We believe that the only viable path for achieving a comprehensive, just and durable solution to this long-standing conflict is a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We hope that the leaders on both sides will find the political will, courage and imagination to resume direct negotiations, although we know that these will be very difficult in light of the painful 16 months that have just passed.”
“Let me reiterate Singapore's appreciation to our regional partners in the Middle East, especially Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, for their support in facilitating our humanitarian assistance to Gaza. We look forward to doing more together and we hope to be able to provide more help the civilians in Gaza as they rebuild their homes and their lives. Our contributions would not have been possible without the generous support of Singaporeans and the hard work of organisations like RLAF and the Singapore Red Cross. I hope that Singaporeans will continue to contribute to these fundraising efforts. In fact, RLAF will be embarking on further fundraising for Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. The reconstruction needs for Gaza will be significant and Singapore will continue to contribute either bilaterally or in partnership with others. We also stand ready, through our Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to support training programmes in Gaza in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority. Mr Alex Yam asked whether the ongoing tensions in the region pose any immediate or foreseeable implications for Singapore's diplomatic interests and regional stability in the Middle East. Singapore remains deeply concerned about the volatile situation. As stated in my written reply to a Parliamentary Question in May 2024, a wider conflict will have serious implications on the safety and security of everyone, including our Singaporeans who are living in the Middle East and Singaporean companies operating in that region. I added that greater regional tensions would also impact international energy markets, commercial aviation and global supply chains.”
“All these questions relate to the situation in Gaza and Singapore’s humanitarian response. First, Singapore welcomes the multi-phase ceasefire and hostage release agreement that was announced on 15 January 2025. We urge all parties to abide by its terms and enable humanitarian assistance to flow. Fortunately, we have seen an increased delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza in the last two weeks. This is vital to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation. The unimpeded delivery of aid must continue. And we urge both sides to reach an agreement for the subsequent phases to achieve, hopefully, a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and to allow for the long-term reconstruction of Gaza. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, Singapore and Singaporeans have contributed significantly. We have, so far, conveyed six tranches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. These six tranches account for more than S$19 million. In fact, Minister Maliki Osman just visited Jordan two weeks ago to witness the handover of the sixth tranche, which comprising almost S$1.3 million that were raised by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), and this was given to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). We are making plans for a seventh tranche of humanitarian aid and this will consist of food, essential supplies and medical supplies. This will be conveyed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and we will deliver these to our Jordanian partners. I have just spoken to the Jordanian Foreign Minister yesterday to confirm these arrangements.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, my reply will cover Mr Ang Wei Neng’s question as well as the question that was set for written answer and filed by Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim in today’s Order Paper. And I also hope to address question for oral answer filed by Mr Alex Yam for the Sitting on or after 5 February 2025.”
“The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge is an internal matter of Malaysia and should not affect the good bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia. On 23 May 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore in the case concerning sovereignty over Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge. Both Singapore and Malaysia have announced that we will accept and abide by the ICJ's decision, which is final and binding on both countries. Under the ICJ Statute, an application for revision cannot be made after the expiry of 10 years from the date of the ICJ's 2008 judgment, that is, May 2018. Following the ICJ judgment, our two countries established the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee on the Implementation of the ICJ Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (MSJTC) to resolve outstanding bilateral matters concerning that area, including maritime boundary delimitation. MSJTC continues to be an important platform for our two countries to meet and discuss these outstanding matters in a constructive manner. During Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's recent visit to Malaysia for the 11th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, our Leaders reviewed and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including maritime boundary delimitation. The two Prime Ministers have agreed to continue discussions on outstanding issues constructively.”
“Singapore is deeply concerned about the recent passage of legislation in the Israeli Knesset prohibiting UNRWA's activity within Israel's territory and banning contact by state authorities with UNRWA. This will hamper the provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. We urge all parties to respect and support the humanitarian role played by the United Nations' agencies in the Palestinian Territories, allow them unimpeded access to carry out their work and ensure the safety of their staff.”
“Singapore has worked actively with our partners in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as humanitarian agencies, such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, to convey aid to the affected civilians in Gaza. There have been five tranches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza to-date. Efforts included the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) deploying an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport conveying medical supplies, blankets, sanitation items, water filters and food packs to Al Arish, Egypt, which was then later transported to Gaza in late 2023. In March 2024, RSAF deployed a C-130 aircraft, staged out of Jordan, to air drop over 20 tonnes of food supplies directly into Gaza. Singapore's fourth tranche of aid announced in July 2024, comprising rice and canned sardines, has arrived in Cyprus and will be conveyed to Gaza with the assistance of the UAE. We will continue to work with partners in the region to send assistance to the affected civilians in Gaza. Financial contributions have also been made to humanitarian agencies. The Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation has donated $8.1 million to UNRWA and $2.7 million to UNICEF since the start of the conflict. The Singapore Red Cross also donated US$100,000 worth of humanitarian goods to the Egyptian Red Crescent in November 2023. We continue to explore other proposals to convey timely assistance through the most effective means.”