Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Launch of the Singapore Community Association in Timor-Leste, 25 July 2023

1        Good evening everyone, and especially lovely to see fellow Singaporeans somewhat far from home but together, united with the smiles and the Singaporean accent. I want to congratulate you – you said it is two months’ work, but I think you registered the association about just a week ago. You are (now) launching your clubhouse. This is all done in Singaporean time. Congratulations for doing it this soon.

2        I am making my first official visit to Timor-Leste. I have met President José Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, the Vice Premier Francisco (Kalbuadi) Lay, the Foreign Minister, Bendito (dos Santos) Freitas, and many other senior officials and civil servants from Timor-Leste. It is obvious that they hold Singapore in high regard.

3        Now, you may ask yourself why should they be considering us given that we are a tiny red dot – we are 20 times smaller than Timor-Leste. They, nevertheless, have high regard for us because, in fact, Timor-Leste has had a very difficult birth as an independent nation. As the President and Prime Minister have reminded me repeatedly, from 1999 to 2012, Singapore stood shoulder by shoulder with them. We sent peacekeeping forces and we sent policemen to help establish their own police force. We were part of what they called the UNTAET - the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor.

4        I have also come to realise it is not just the official and the diplomatic ties and contributions that they value. It is the people who you see in front of me right now, today. As (President of Singapore Community Association) Jonathan (Lim) who himself has been here for 13 years said, there are pioneers who have been here for more than two decades. You represent a wide variety of Singaporeans – businessmen, entrepreneurs, missionaries, educators, doctors (and) volunteers. You represent the best of what Singapore can offer. A good heart, and as Jonathan said just now – good neighbours, trustworthy, reliable partners. That is what I believe the Timorese people value about Singapore and Singaporeans.

5        So I am here actually to thank all of you, especially the pioneers who have been here for so long, for making a contribution to this fledgling nation, for flying our flag high, for maintaining the standing (and) the reputation of Singapore. I say this all in sincerity. Thank you all, for what you have done for your families and for Timor-Leste, and for maintaining the standing of Singapore far away from home.

6        You know that Timor-Leste is also going to be joining ASEAN in the near future. We do not know the exact date. But it is going to be a process that will take enormous effort. We are going to help the Timorese fulfil the criteria to go through this Roadmap. We will also require assistance from you to help them. Help this country stand on its own two feet, to be confident, and to be able to be a contributory member of ASEAN as well.

7        On that note, you would have heard the news that we are going to establish a resident embassy. But I noticed that you have beat us to it by establishing your own clubhouse first. I am glad that that is so, because I believe it is the people-to-people ties that are just as important as diplomatic ties. Having this clubhouse for you to come together as Singaporeans – I hope you will be able to share Singaporean food as well with each other. I think it will help bond Singaporeans here, help each other reach out to the Timorese people, your partners and your neighbours. It will also be a focal point for Singapore that will work to complement our own embassy. We have not gotten an address yet – we have to find a place where we will plant our flag. But I am sure you will also advise us and help us to do that.

8        Let me end by thanking all of you again for being here. Thank you for the warm welcome. I hope to come around to your tables and see you and your family and listen to your own – each of you will have a unique story, I am sure, of your journey here, your contributions here, and how your families are doing.

9        Whatever it is, remember you are always Singaporeans, you are always connected to that little red dot. We care for you. We will look out for you. Please stay in touch. Thank you all very much.    

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Photo caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Singapore Community Association launch in Timor-Leste, 25 July 2023

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore