Transcript of Doorstop Interview with Singapore Media by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang, 5 March 2026

MOS (FA)(T&I) Gan Siow Huang: Good afternoon. I would like to give an update on the consular support from MFA to Singaporeans who are in the Middle East since the start of the recent conflict in the Middle East region. About a quarter of the Singaporeans who have e-Registered with us have sought assistance to return home, and since then, our consular team and embassies have been working very hard on the ground to explore arrangements. This includes navigating challenging and difficult security situations on the ground and also coordinating with local authorities and the airlines to explore options.

MFA has deployed our Crisis Response Teams (CRTs) to the Middle East region. At the moment, we have three officers in Muscat, Oman, and we are going to deploy two more officers to Riyadh [Saudi Arabia]. We are also planning to mount a repatriation flight on 7 March, Saturday, to bring Singaporeans from Muscat, Oman back home. This is to cater to Singaporeans who are currently in Oman and UAE, where about 60% of the Singaporeans who are e-Registered with us are located.

We also have Singaporeans in other parts of the Middle East region. We will also, in the next few days, be launching assisted overland trips for Singaporeans in Bahrain and Qatar to Riyadh. That is where the airport remains open and there are some commercial flights that are still available for Singaporeans to book.

We will be reaching out to Singaporeans who have recently indicated to us that they would like assistance to return to Singapore. Going beyond that, we will also be working with airlines and the local authorities to explore the feasibility of further repatriation flights, taking into account the flight routes and the airports’ reopening schedules.

We urge Singaporeans who are in the Middle East region to stay in sheltered places, and also heed the advice of the local authorities. Very importantly, for Singaporeans who have yet to e-Register with MFA, please do so. This will allow MFA to reach out to you and to provide Singaporeans who are in the Middle East region with useful information.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 MARCH 2026