MFA Press Release: Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan in Parliament during the CoS Debate on 6 March 2012

REMARKS BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS K SHANMUGAM, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS MASAGOS ZULKIFLI AND SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAM TAN IN PARLIAMENT DURING THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY DEBATE ON 6 MARCH 2012

In response to questions by the following Members of Parliament:

Lim Wee Kiak on ASEAN and relationships with neighbours

Lim Wee Kiak, Ong Teng Koon and Intan Azura Mokhtar on Malaysia and Indonesia

Lim Wee Kiak, Teo Ser Luck and Lam Pin Min on Myanmar

Lim Wee Kiak and Alex Yam Ziming on US-China relations

Ong Teng Koon and Pritam Singh on the Renewed US Emphasis in Asia

Ellen Lee on the Middle East and Latin America

Lim Wee Kiak, Ong Teng Koon and Alex Yam Ziming on Consular Assistance to Singaporeans

Response by Minister K Shanmugam

Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Members of the House for their questions on our foreign relations.

Overview

Our external environment has of course, become more fluid. Last year saw many events unfolding across the world, from political upheavals and tensions over possible nuclear proliferation in the Middle East to the natural disasters in Japan. There were also regional concerns over the territorial claims in the South China Sea and over border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia.

The global economic situation remains in a state of flux. US economic recovery is sluggish, and the Eurozone continues to be of serious concern. The global challenges are manifold; like climate change, nuclear non-proliferation, trade protectionism and financial reform. All of these will continue to weigh heavily on the international agenda. Regional and international institutions are evolving. They need to keep pace with an increasingly complicated and uncertain world.

This will be a highly challenging year for the Foreign Ministry. We are confident of managing these challenges. Bilateral relationships with our key partners are strong. Our relations with our immediate neighbours are on a firm footing, and ASEAN remains a cohesive unit and continues to play a central role in the evolving regional architecture.

ASEAN

Dr Lim asked about the progress of ASEAN towards its goal of achieving an ASEAN Community by 2015. In fact, I think he mentioned 2020. The 2020 vision he mentioned has been accelerated by the ASEAN Leaders to 2015, given the imperative for regional integration.

That said, let me start with ASEAN¡¦s progress over the last year under the Chairmanship of Indonesia. Indonesia¡¦s 2011 ASEAN chairmanship was both effective and skilful. The President of Indonesia, HE Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the FM, HE Marty Natalegawa, as well as other key figures and institutions were determined to ensure that ASEAN became even more integrated and moved ahead.

The key achievements last year under the Indonesian chair, were several. These included:

• The adoption of the Bali Concord III which serves as a blueprint for working towards ¡§an ASEAN common platform on global issues¡¨;

• The conclusion of the Implementation Guidelines for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea;

• The role played by Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair in facilitating a resolution to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute; and

• The endorsement by the ASEAN Leaders of a proposal to enhance tertiary exchanges within ASEAN through ¡§Community and Harmony Through Tertiary Education Relations¡¨ (CHARTER).

Economic development remains a key imperative for ASEAN. It is key to enhancing ASEAN¡¦s economic edge amidst greater regional competition. Barring unforeseen events such as a global recession, we remain on the right track towards closer integration. The economic pillar has been focusing on the ratification and implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) signed in February 2009. These are critical to the establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

ASEAN Leaders also adopted the ASEAN Framework for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in 2011. This will set out the general principles to broaden and deepen ASEAN's engagement with its FTA partners, with a view towards an ASEAN++ FTA.

We also secured strong support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity from ASEAN¡¦s Dialogue Partners last year at various regional fora. Greater connectivity in the region will complement the current network of FTAs by bringing the markets closer through improved infrastructure and creating new business opportunities for our companies.

We are confident that Cambodia will lead ASEAN effectively as the Chair this year and continue to build on the progress achieved. We are ready to work with and support Cambodia during its chairmanship.

Dr Lim also asked about the economic development of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Singapore is strongly committed to achieving the ASEAN Community. The development gap in ASEAN is an impediment, and at the 19th ASEAN Summit last year, our PM announced the extension of our contributions to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. We will contribute S$50 million from 2012 to 2015. This is our fourth contribution to the IAI to narrow the development gap in ASEAN and so far we have contributed about S$170 million dollars or so, including the S$50 million committed [last year]. This demonstrates our belief that all of ASEAN must move together towards our targets and goals.

An integrated ASEAN is important for Singapore. It maintains foreign investors¡¦ interest and confidence in the region, and helps us to be a competitive and attractive destination for trade and investment.

Dr Lim also asked about ASEAN¡¦s long term goal and what ASEAN could learn from the EU. The EU has massive experience in regional integration. It provides both positive and negative precedents. We have to learn from the lessons from outside of ASEAN and apply them in our own unique context. We will keep our key objectives firmly in mind as we work towards achieving a stronger ASEAN Community by 2015.

This is a major effort, and I think that we are making progress.

Malaysia and Indonesia

Dr Lim, Mr Ong and Dr Intan asked about our relations with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Our relations with Malaysia are very good and continue to grow. We achieved a historic milestone in our relations last year with the full implementation of the Points of Agreement [on Malayan Railway Land] on 1 July 2011. We are also pleased with the smooth handover of the waterworks under the 1961 Water Agreement by Singapore to the Johor water authorities, free of charge and in good working order, after the expiry of the Agreement on 31 August 2011. Both sides also recently reaffirmed the terms of the 1962 Water Agreement. Under this Agreement, Singapore has the right to draw up to 250 million gallons of water per day from the Johor River until the expiry of the Agreement in 2061.

The resolution of the long-standing POA issue put our two countries on an even more positive and forward looking trajectory. PM Lee and PM Najib Razak had a very good Leaders¡¦ Retreat on 5 January 2012 in Putrajaya. Both sides agreed to explore several new, mutually-beneficial initiatives to advance economic cooperation, enhance connectivity, and deepen people-to-people ties. This year, the newly established high-level work group on industrial cooperation will consider ways of promoting the twinning of manufacturing activities between Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia. We will also embark on further cooperation in various sectors like tourism, education, immigration and the environment.

Under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia has continued to achieve steady progress. Relations between Singapore and Indonesia are positive at all levels. Our leaders enjoy a good working relationship, building on firm foundations that have been established. The Indonesian Parliament has yet to ratify the Extradition Treaty and the Defence Cooperation Agreement. They were negotiated as a package and signed by the two governments. Both sides have agreed to put this issue aside for now and not let it affect bilateral relations.

We look forward to Indonesia¡¦s hosting of the Leaders¡¦ Retreat between Prime Minister Lee and President Yudhoyono later this month on 13 March. That Retreat will review the progress on the relationship, including the six economic working groups and a counter-terrorism working group formed during the last Retreat in 2010. These working groups aim to expand economic cooperation in a range of areas from investment to cruise tourism. In addition, we will continue our efforts to strengthen links with the various Indonesian provinces. In the middle of this year, we will be establishing a Consulate in Medan.

Overall, we are enjoying a period of optimism and growth in our bilateral ties with both Malaysia and Indonesia. Dr Lim Wee Kiak has rightly pointed out that Malaysia and Indonesia will soon be having their respective elections. They will naturally be more focused on domestic priorities, but we believe that we can keep up the positive momentum of cooperation that we have across a wide range of sectors.

Myanmar

Let me now turn to Myanmar. Dr Lim, Dr Lam and Mr Teo Ser Luck asked about Singapore¡¦s approach to developments in Myanmar, and Myanmar¡¦s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014.

The Myanmar government has taken positive steps in its transition to democracy. Clear indications of the President¡¦s commitment in carrying out his reform agenda are there for everyone to see.

We are encouraged by the positive developments. Singapore has for a long time taken the position that Myanmar needs to be constructively engaged and it needs to be encouraged in its process of reform. We hope that countries which have imposed sanctions can consider lifting them soon.

Of course, Myanmar continues to face many challenges, primary among them is an urgent need for capacity building to continue reforms, particularly economic reforms. Singapore will help. We signed a Memorandum Of Understanding on the Singapore-Myanmar Technical Cooperation Programme during President Thein Sein¡¦s State Visit to Singapore in January this year. Under this programme, Singapore will continue to share its developmental experiences and provide training to the Myanmars in three key broad areas in line with the Myanmar government¡¦s priorities, namely, Economic Development, Human Resource Development, and Public Administration.

In view of the positive developments in Myanmar, Singapore and the other ASEAN countries supported Myanmar¡¦s bid for the 2014 ASEAN Chairmanship at the ASEAN Summit in Bali in November 2011.

As ASEAN Chair, Myanmar will be the external face of ASEAN. It will have to defend not only its own interests and record, but also ASEAN¡¦s interests.

Myanmar will also have to reassure our external partners that under its Chairmanship, ASEAN will continue to make progress towards an ASEAN Community in 2015. The world will of course be watching.

Singapore is ready to work with Myanmar to ensure successful outcomes under Myanmar¡¦s Chairmanship, which is important for ASEAN as a whole.

US

For the past 50 years, the US¡¦ role has been irreplaceable in providing peace and stability to the region. That has allowed all of us to grow and prosper. The US still remains the market of last resort for East Asia. There is no alternative to the US dollar as the international reserve currency. The future of the region and the US are intertwined.

Our strong and enduring ties with the US are premised on our shared strategic and economic interests. Our relationship is underpinned by the Strategic Framework Agreement and the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. And our cooperation extends to other initiatives across the world.

I had an excellent introductory visit as Foreign Minister to the United States in early February. After a substantive meeting with Secretary Clinton, we issued a Joint Vision Statement which underscored the breadth and depth of our bilateral relationship. We signed two Memoranda of Understanding. First, to establish a Strategic Partnership Dialogue between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State, and second, to create a Singapore-US Third Country Training Programme to jointly help developing countries, especially those in our region.

Minister Heng Swee Keat, who was also in the US at the same time, signed a MOU with his US counterpart to further education cooperation. The two of us, together with Minister Iswaran, then participated in a Singapore Conference. The conference allowed us to reach out to and exchange insights with some of the top opinion-shapers in the United States.

From all of these meetings, as well as discussions with the US Congressional foreign policy leadership and my legal counterpart Attorney General Eric Holder, it was clear to us that the United States appreciates Singapore¡¦s success and role in our part of the world, and is keen to explore new areas of cooperation to deepen and broaden our partnership.

It is noteworthy that speaking at the Singapore conference, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said and I quote, ¡§on almost any consequential issue that we deal with¡K we probably listen more closely to advice and counsel from Singapore than any other country in Asia¡¨. That public statement by such a senior official is extremely significant.

China

Now let me turn to China.ƒn The size, strength and resilience of the Chinese economy makes it a stabilising force and an engine of growth for regional economies, particularly so in the last few years.

Singapore-China relations are excellent, and they are anchored by a steady exchange of high-level visits, strengthening economic links and growing people-to-people exchanges. Our leaders visit China regularly. Chinese leaders, including Vice President Xi, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, as well as many other Central government and provincial level leaders have visited Singapore in the past two years. I also had an excellent introductory visit to China in February. I had good meetings with the Chinese leaders (including Vice Premier Li) and discussed several issues. Foreign Minister Yang and I reaffirmed the importance of continued support from both our governments on a range of bilateral cooperation projects. We discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in new areas. Moving forward, our continued high-level exchanges and institutionalized dialogues, for example the annual Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation co-chaired by DPM Teo Chee Hean and the Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan will provide a firm basis for further strengthening of bilateral relations.

Our relations with China are also underpinned by robust economic ties. In 2011, China was Singapore's 3rd largest trading partner. Singapore was China's 15th largest. China remains our top investment destination. Besides our two flagship G-to-G projects, the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-city, we have stepped up our economic engagement at the provincial level through our seven provincial business councils, and through private sector-led cooperation such as the Guangzhou Knowledge City and the Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park.

As a mark of the maturity of the bilateral relationship, both sides are increasingly going beyond traditional parameters of economic cooperation, working on new areas of collaboration, such as the collaboration between the new Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Zhejiang University, and the establishment of the China Cultural Centre in Singapore. The two anticipated, eagerly awaited Giant Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia will arrive in Singapore in the first half of this year. These are symbols of our excellent relations with China.

US-China relations

Mr Ong Teng Koon has asked about the US¡¦ ¡§pivot¡¨ to the region and how Singapore should position itself, and Mr Singh asked about China¡¦s concerns, about containment and how we will manage that. I will try and answer these questions; maybe Mr Singh can clarify a little bit more precisely as to what he meant. But I¡¦ll answer to the extent that I understood the question.

I will also deal with the questions posed by Dr Lim and Mr Alex Yam on how these changes will affect the evolving Sino-US relations and the regional architecture centred around ASEAN.

We welcome President Obama's announcement on the US' commitment to be a Pacific power. The US¡¦ interest in Asia is not a recent phenomenon. The US has been a vital part of our region, both strategically and economically, for decades ¡V and that point has been made many times. There is bipartisan support in the US for this policy. It is in the US¡¦ own interests to be engaged in this growing and dynamic region. We encourage the US to stay deeply engaged in this region, and to do so in a broad-based and multi-faceted way.

China has expanded its engagement with the region in recent years. It is a key player, with strong linkages, through trade, investments, development assistance, and projection of soft power. And as its economy grows and domestic demands increase, China¡¦s position as an important market for the region will increase. A stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region will benefit China, just as ASEAN and the region at large have benefited from China's prosperity. We welcome China¡¦s commitment to a peaceful approach to development, and we will continue to partner China in fostering peace and stability in the region.

The US-China relationship will remain as one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world for decades to come. A constructive relationship between the US and China will be essential for stronger global collaboration at a time when the global economy is unstable. There will inevitably be some competition between these two major powers, but it is not a zero-sum game. We believe that the US and China can manage their relationship within a cooperative framework. Apart from their own direct bilateral channels, ASEAN and its related fora including the ARF, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit and APEC can all play a role to help accommodate the interests of all stakeholders in the region.

Singapore has a strong equity interest in good US-China relations. As such, I had publicly and privately conveyed the importance of a stable and symbiotic Sino-US relationship during my visits to Washington DC and Beijing. These messages were accepted by both sides as necessary to ensure peace, prosperity and progress for the US and China, as well as for our region, which would not want to be entangled in great power rivalries. East Asia is really big enough for both the US and China.

Specifically on the question of containment ¡V I think Mr Singh referred to that word ¡V I had publicly stated in Washington that containment of China is not a feasible strategy. It is not tenable and that is not something that the US should be identifying as its strategy. And in my meetings with the US leadership, it is clear, and I was assured that that is not part of their strategy either. So if I have not answered Mr Singh¡¦s questions fully maybe he can clarify at the end of my speech.

Going forward, Singapore will continue to maintain strong and friendly relations with both countries. We will also support the strengthening of regional platforms that will allow both the US and China to work with the region and contribute to all our stability and growth.

Other Bilateral Partners (Japan, ROK, India, Australia, EU)

Let me now touch briefly on Singapore¡¦s ties with our other key bilateral partners. Singapore has maintained robust friendships with many of our key bilateral partners.

Starting with Japan, a very important partner for us. Japan plays a key role in our region as a key Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. Japan has gone through a difficult year. Singapore will continue to do what we can to support Japan which has contributed so much to our and our region's development. And this was demonstrated by the outpouring of support by Singaporeans for Japan following the Tohoku disasters last March. We also supported Japan¡¦s decision to enter preliminary bilateral talks on its participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. We hope Japan can be a full member as soon as possible.

Our relations with South Korea are characterised by close economic ties and a steady exchange of high level visits. Our PM is looking forward to visiting Seoul this month for the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit.

Our relations with India are excellent, cemented by various institutional linkages and the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which is currently undergoing its Second Review. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Singapore in November last year, and our PM will visit India later this year.

Australia, like others, is another long-standing partner. Our relationship is underscored by deep interactions across multiple fronts: defence, trade and investment, education and people-to-people ties.

And the EU is undergoing a period of difficulty. Its economic situation has created ripple effects across the world including Singapore. The EU is collectively our largest source of foreign direct investment and second largest trading partner. We are confident that the EU will eventually resolve its current financial and economic situation, and Singapore is keen to conclude the EU-Singapore FTA.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, Sir. Minister of State Masagos Zulkifli and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Sam Tan will respond to the remaining questions. But let me first reiterate what I had said at the beginning of my remarks. MFA will face more challenges and demands given the geopolitical and economic uncertainties in the next few years. I am confident that we are capable of tackling these challenges. We have a corps of committed and professional Foreign Service Officers who are dedicated to defending and advancing Singapore¡¦s foreign policy interests, and to look after the interests of our Singaporeans abroad.

Nevertheless I have to admit that my Ministry is at present greatly stretched in terms of manning resources. We have to ensure that our Foreign Service remains adequately and competently staffed and resourced in order for us to maintain the high standards that we have set in safeguarding and advancing Singapore¡¦s interests. Thank you.

Response by MOS Masagos Zulkifli

Mr Chairman. Ms Ellen Lee asked about developments in the Middle East, and Singapore¡¦s efforts to tap emerging markets like the Middle East and Latin America.

Middle East and Turkey

Despite the political turmoil in some parts of the Middle East, Singapore¡¦s engagement in that region has continued. We have taken a longer-term perspective in developing relations with the Middle East. While some Arab countries are understandably preoccupied domestically, this should not hold us back from engaging others in the region. On the whole, our relations with the region remain positive. Ms Lee would like to note that despite the political upheaval last year, our trade with the Middle East countries had in fact increased 20% to a healthy S$64 billion from 2010. Indeed, some of our companies are doing well. For example, in addition to its more than S$1.1 billion portfolio of projects in Saudi Arabia, Rotary recently secured a S$43 million deal to build storage facilities for an oil refinery in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. Keppel FELS also won a contract in Qatar to build two rigs worth more than S$400 million.

Our focus in the region remains in the Gulf countries, with whom we have developed strong relations since 2004. ESM Goh Chok Tong recently visited Saudi Arabia in January 2012 and had good meetings with Saudi leaders. DPM Teo Chee Hean is scheduled to visit Qatar in March. Minister Shanmugam also plans to visit the Gulf later this year. Hence, at the political level, we have continued to engage and strengthen relations.

Nevertheless, a number of countries in the Middle East such as Egypt are undergoing a political transition and it would take time for the situation to stabilise. The situation in Syria also remains troubling and there are concerns that sectarian strife can spill over to other countries in the region. Tensions also remain over Iran¡¦s nuclear programme. The politics in the Middle East is and will always be complicated. While we strive to understand the region better, we are cognisant that Singapore is not a major player politically. But this should not prevent us from engaging the region and exploring new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. Our companies should also take a long-term view and continue to explore business opportunities in the region.

We are also looking at growing our economic interests in Turkey, which occupies a strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. To this end, we will be opening an Embassy in Ankara later this year.

Latin America

On Latin America. Singapore has a growing account with Latin America. Singapore¡¦s trade with Latin America has grown by 135% since 2007, reaching S$31.3 billion in 2011. Politically, the region is home to three G20 members: Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. It is in this context that we have made a decision to open an Embassy in Brazil, to broaden and deepen our engagement with the region. The recent signing of the Partial Visa Abolition Agreement with Brazil to facilitate business and tourism flows is an example of our growing cooperation in this regard.

Response by SPS Sam Tan

Consular Assistance

Mr Chairman, Sir. Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Ong Teng Koon and Mr Alex Yam asked for updates on how MFA is addressing the increasing demand by Singaporeans overseas for consular assistance, especially during times of emergencies.

One of MFA's key challenges is providing round the clock consular assistance to Singaporeans across the world. Singaporeans are not only travelling more but they are also travelling to more far flung places - places where we can¡¦t even pronounce their names, as mentioned by Mr Alex Yam just now. So as a result, there has been a corresponding increase in requests for consular services and assistance. Singaporeans¡¦ expectations of our consular services have also risen over time.

We take the safety and security of our Singaporeans abroad very seriously. Sir, we encourage Singaporeans who travel overseas to e-register with us so that MFA can render assistance in an emergency.

Sir, worldwide we have 47 embassies and consulates, and this is in addition to a network of 27 consulates run by Honorary Consuls who provide consular assistance to Singaporeans in locations where we do not have representation. Where we do not have representation, there is also an agreement among ASEAN countries to help each other¡¦s nationals when there is an emergency. In extreme situations and cases, we also request for assistance from friendly countries like the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Sir, in Singapore, we have a Duty Office which is manned 24/7 to deal with any emergencies. We constantly review our contingency plans to deal with potential flashpoints where Singaporeans could be affected and we have also participated in many inter-Ministry emergency preparedness exercises. If there is a need, we will also deploy Consular Response Teams or CRTs to help Singaporeans in crisis areas following natural and man-made disasters. For example, CRTs were deployed to Japan after the Fukushima nuclear incident, and also to Bangkok during the floods last year to assist affected Singaporeans in these countries.

Sir, we constantly strive to improve the quality of our consular services. We encourage Singaporeans who travel overseas to eRegister with us so that we can contact them in the event of an emergency. We also launched a Twitter feed (@MFASgConsular) in late 2011 to provide timely information on consular matters, such as our travel notices and advice. Some of our Missions are also active on the social media, which gives them another platform to keep in closer touch with Singaporeans in areas of their coverage.

We also plan to launch our own smartphone application in the next few months. Besides providing easy information to eRegister, the smartphone application will also assist Singaporeans to locate the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission based on their current location, and this application also makes access to consular information and services to Singaporeans on-the-go.

Sir, while we have and will continue to do all we can to assist Singaporeans in distress, there are also clear limits to what we can do. Sir, we receive many requests for assistance, and not every request can be fulfilled or is within reasons to expect MFA to deal with. The decision to travel is the responsibility of the travellers, and they should do all they can to secure their personal safety.

Singaporeans when abroad should be prepared to put up with some inconveniences, unavoidable frustrations and the occasional delays, especially when dealing with unfamiliar foreign customs, cultures, rules and regulations. At the same time, they must also follow the rules and the laws of the countries that they are in.

Sir, every country has its own rules and laws that have to be respected by other countries as sovereign rights. We cannot interfere in the laws of other countries in the way that we will never allow a foreign country or foreign government to interfere with the application of our own laws in Singapore. Notwithstanding all these constraints and conditions MFA will continue to provide consular services to Singaporeans to the best of its ability.

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Supplementary Questions

On US-China Relations

MP Pritam Singh: Thank you Mr Chairman. I refer to the Minister¡¦s remarks suggesting that I used the word ¡§containment¡¨. Now that word was not used, but in reference to some of the queries that I had, I have to say that the Minister answered all of them, in particular the reflections he made on his recent visits to China and the US. Thank you.

Minister: I thank Mr Singh for the clarification. I think the reference to the American relationships with the countries surrounding China, and the agreements that the US has announced, some long-standing, some new, I think that was the context of Mr Singh¡¦s point. And how China might view it. Which was why I answered the question the way I did. Thank you.

On ASEAN

MP Lim Wee Kiak: Sir, I would like to clarify with the Minister, what does the ASEAN 2015 Community goal mean to Singapore as well as to the man on the street?

Minister: Sir, the vision of ASEAN Community 2015, in economic, social and cultural aspects, requires greater connectivity, both physical as well as people-to-people, and a greater understanding of ASEAN within countries. Primarily, a lot of people will start taking notice of it if they see each other much more and there is a greater physical connectivity. And also, if it would increase trade and investment flows. So it has both direct tangible economic connotations, and broader intangible cultural and social connotations. [The aim is] to try and create a community that is bonded together, not just by economics, but also social and cultural values. And we are trying to increase it. It is going to take a lot of effort. Simple things. If we can have, say, very good rail connections, very good air connections, very good sea connections and very good road connections all across ASEAN, it makes a big difference. I can go on for a long time about the many different aspects of the ASEAN vision, but I will use just these as an illustration.

On Consular assistance

MP Alex Yam: Mr Chairman. First, I would like to thank the SPS for his clear response despite the obvious discomfort in his throat and I wish him a prompt recovery. I agree with the SPS that the responsibility for personal safety and health must lie with individual travellers, and Singaporeans abroad must of course adhere to the rules and regulations of the countries they are in. SPS also made a point that there are limits to what MFA can or cannot do and not all the requests made to MFA and their consular officers can be fulfilled. Perhaps the SPS could enlighten and elaborate so that Singaporeans are aware what is deemed reasonable or unreasonable for MFA to deal with. Thank you.

SPS Sam Tan: Thank you, Chairman. If I may apologise for my sandy voice which sounds like Rod Stewart (Speaker: It¡¦s alright, it is very soothing). I would like to thank Member Mr Alex Yam for giving me the opportunity to share some of the interesting stories in MFA which have been keeping us going strongly and heartily. Mr Chairman, Sir. Expectations of the sort of assistance that MFA provides continue to rise, sometimes it can be to an unrealistic level. This has become more evident in recent times, and is not unique to Singapore. It happens to many other countries. Many of these extraordinary, if I may say so, sometimes unreasonable requests stem from a misconception and misperception of the sort of consular assistance that MFA can provide.

We receive many kinds of requests and the MFA officers always try their best to do what they can to help, but sometimes some things are simply just beyond our powers and abilities. Let me share some interesting stories. On one occasion, MFA received a complaint from a Singaporean who claimed that he was subjected to racial discrimination overseas because he received a smaller piece of KFC chicken compared to what the locals had. He wanted MFA to investigate this instance and seek justice in that foreign country for the unfair treatment he claimed to have received. Sir, to assist such requests would require the conduct of delicate ¡§Chicken Diplomacy¡¨ with another foreign country. But Sir, it would have been very difficult anyway ¡V because the evidence, the subject of the complaint - had been consumed! So we can¡¦t follow up. On another occasion, a Singaporean insisted that it was MFA's responsibility to retrieve a kitchen appliance he left behind in a foreign country because he had no money to pay for the excess baggage.

Sir, there are also many other equally interesting stories and requests for consular services to MFA. MFA's consular role and responsibilities in a country are strictly governed by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Singaporeans must realise that there¡¦s a cost when we deal with such requests. It diverts our limited resources from dealing with many other cases where we can and should help Singaporeans in real distress, and where we are often really their only support in a foreign land. So we should focus our energy and attention to render the much required assistance to people who are in real distress, and we are their last resort of help.

As I mentioned before, Singaporeans when abroad also have to be prepared to put up with occasional inconveniences, unavoidable frustrations and delays. MFA can do little in such instances so we cannot compel a foreign agency or commercial entity to satisfy each and every demand and request of every Singaporean. These countries have their own rules, and we have to abide by their decisions.

Sir, by and large, most requests are reasonable and MFA officers will do their best to help. Of course, needless to say, whatever help we provide will have to be carried out with the cooperation from the local authorities and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the countries that they are in. We take a whole-of-government approach and work very closely, where necessary, with other Ministries and agencies like the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Health to assist Singaporeans facing difficulties abroad.

Sir, I wish to take this opportunity to assure members that MFA treats all requests for consular assistance seriously, and we will do our best to assist Singaporeans abroad when they face difficulties in an emergency situation and need assistance from MFA.

MP Low Thia Khiang: Sir, one clarification. I would like to know from MFA what specific assistance will be given to Singaporeans who pass away in foreign countries and [whose relatives] want to bring the bodies back to Singapore. For instance, if the person who is working or travelling in China passed away and the body is lying somewhere. Usually, I understand [the relatives] face quite a lot of difficulty because of some documentation and all that. So I would like to know how specifically MFA would facilitate and help them bring [the] body back.

Minister: I thank Mr Low for this question. This arises, of course a number of times, in China and elsewhere. There are a number of different aspects. The first is the clearance with the local authorities and their own laws [which] may require investigation as to the circumstances of the death, for example. And sometimes bringing back the body may be not possible immediately because of evidentiary and other legal requirements. And then there are the practical aspects of getting the body over through the appropriate transport channels.

What MFA does, when it is contacted, is to then liaise with the local authorities. I am giving you a generalised situation; of course it can vary from situation to situation depending on whether we have people there. But our approach is to do everything we can to try and help in such a situation. First to liaise with the Singaporean next-of-kin, notify them, give them the data, help them access the place where the body is, whether it is a hospital or some other place. And also liaise with the local authorities to try and get the speedy clearance. And then help the family in terms of trying to bring the body back by liaising with the necessary authorities again, in terms of transport. Those are the kind of things that we do.

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