Transcript of Reply by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to Supplementary Questions in Parliament on the Strategic Overview, 4 March 2005

[MP Tan Soo Khoon: Mr Chairman, I am glad that the Minister shares the same distress of this House over the situation in Myanmar. But I would like to ask him whether ASEAN, or more specifically whether Singapore would advocate the position within ASEAN that unless Myanmar engages in very drastic political reforms immediately and very specifically with the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, then Myanmar should give up its chairmanship of ASEAN.]

The second question I have for the Minister is assuming nothing happens in Myanmar, what does he see as the prospects for the ASEAN Regional Forum next year, since a number of countries have indicated that if no changes happen in Myanmar, they will not take part in the ARF.]

Reply: I am in sympathy with Mr Tan Soo Khoon's views and impatience. But it is not the ASEAN way to put things in such a stark and confrontational manner. I am sure we will have meetings behind closed doors, and our words will be suitably lubricated with courtesies and acknowledgements of respect. But I think in the end, I agree with Mr Tan that some hard messages may have to be put across because ASEAN and the ARF are being affected by what's happening in Myanmar. If these are just domestic political problems, with no impact on the world outside, then it is for the Myanmar people to resolve them themselves. But there is an impact on us.

[MP Halimah Yacob: Sir, a point of clarification. Apart from the question of the issue of political democracy, a long-standing concern about Myanmar is forced labour. I would like to ask the Minister what steps or influence do we have to try and transmit the message that forced labour is not desirable in Myanmar, and what role can we play in that respect, as we are an important member of the ASEAN community.]

Reply: Mr Speaker Sir, I think this is an issue that has been taken up by international organisations, like the ILO.

[MP Leong Horn Kee: Sir, the Minister said that I mentioned about two countries - Taiwan and the PRC - but it is not intended. I looked through my written speech, but I never said that. But if I said that in some off-the-cuff remarks, then I take it back, and it is not intended to mention Taiwan as a country. We have to be sensitive about this issue.

Back to the bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia, I am pleased to hear from the Minister that SM Goh and PM Badawi have made good progress. Perhaps he could tell us what is the next step. For example, do they have any forward plans to meet again, and the time-frame? Are we going to discuss again in a total package basis or on a separate issues basis? I would also like to ask the Minister on a related bilateral issue on Horsburgh lighthouse. Is it part of the package discussions? The last I heard was that it had gone for international arbitration. Will the Minister be prepared to give us some update on the Horsburgh lighthouse matter? I would like to hear from him. If not, then I will file a question for oral answer.]

Reply: Mr Speaker Sir, I shall be very disciplined in not answering Mr Leong Horn Kee's first question on details concerning bilateral talks. Some things are cooking, and they are best done in the kitchen. Let's wait for the dishes to appear. On the Horsburgh lighthouse, that has always been taken up separately through the ICJ. There are pleadings from both sides, and there is a certain methodicity in the way the process is carried out. We are not likely to see judgement on the case before the end of 2006.

[MP Irene Ng: Sir, can I ask the Minister his assessment of the commitment of the United States to be engaged in the region? There has been some concern that the US has been distracted by the Middle East Peace Process, the issues in Iraq and the issues in Northeast Asia and there might be less attention placed on Southeast Asia. From the Minister's interactions with US officials under the new Bush Administration, can I ask your assessment?]

Reply: In my recent visit to Washington DC, I had meetings with Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Ambassador Bob Zoellick, who was the USTR and an old friend, the new National Security Advisor Steve Hadley, and the Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz, who is an old friend of Singapore.

At all the meetings, Asia and East Asia was discussed, and I have no doubt that there is alot of interest in our region. Yes, of course, President Bush went over to Europe, and was extra charming to the Europeans, because he now operates from a position of greater strength after successful elections in Iraq. And he's got to get the Europeans to come along so that the peace process in the Middle East can be accelerated. But it does not mean that they are not interested in our part of our world. If you watched the way the US reacted to the tsunami, I thought it was heartwarming. I mean, without US leadership, I don't think the overall response would have been what it turned out to be. And they were the only ones who could at short notice provide resources and assets on such a comprehensive scale. So when I was at the Department of Defence, I met with the military general who was coordinating all the operations in the Indian Ocean, I said "well done".

[MP Ong Chit Chung: Mr Speaker Sir, can I ask the Minister for clarification on the proposed Singapore-Indonesia extradition treaty. I want to ask the Minister whether he is aware that many Indonesian businessmen invest in Singapore, put their funds in Singapore and buy properties in Singapore. Will this proposed extradition treaty frighten them off and they may be worried that wrong charges may be referred against them. Therefore, they may hesitate to invest or come into Singapore with their funds. This would have a negative impact on our economy. Would you care to comment or clarify?]

Reply: Let me assure Mr Ong Chit Chung that these fears are our concerns, and we will make sure that in the negotiations, these fears are fully taken into account.

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