Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Replies to Parliamentary Questions on the Situation in Myanmar, 5 July 2023

QUESTION

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs what are the likely consequences of China's recent declaration of support for the Myanmar junta on (i) ASEAN's Five Point Consensus (ii) intra-ASEAN cooperation on Myanmar and (iii) prospects for peace in Myanmar.

REPLY

The Five-Point Consensus remains the basis of ASEAN’s position on Myanmar. ASEAN’s external partners including the UN, as affirmed by UNSC resolution 2669 of 21 December 2022, have important roles to play in working with ASEAN to uphold the Five-Point Consensus and facilitate national reconciliation in Myanmar. Singapore will continue to support the ASEAN Chair Indonesia and fellow ASEAN Member States to press the Tatmadaw to cease violence and implement the Five-Point Consensus swiftly and fully. The key to peace in Myanmar lies with all Myanmar stakeholders concerned and their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of their people.

QUESTION

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs what are the results of the most recent humanitarian needs assessment conducted by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) for Rohingya refugees.

REPLY

1 The Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA) conducted in March 2019 was the most recent humanitarian needs assessment. The report identified three potential areas of collaboration: (a) enhancing the capacity of reception and transit centres; (b) strengthening information dissemination; and (c) support for the provision of basic services. The ASEAN Secretariat’s Ad-Hoc Support Team was established to monitor the implementation of the PNA. Comprehensive Needs Assessments (CNAs) will be conducted once repatriation commences. However, progress has stalled given the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing political instability in Myanmar and the recent Cyclone Mocha.

2 Singapore has strongly supported ASEAN’s efforts and contributed over S$1 million in bilateral aid to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of displaced persons from Rakhine State. We are prepared to send further consignments of aid and stand ready to support future CNAs once repatriation commences.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 JULY 2023