Singapore's Response to Political Developments in Myanmar

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what is his assessment on the recent political developments and reforms in Myanmar, and how will ASEAN encourage Myanmar to continue on this democratic path.

Mr Nicholas Fang asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what is Singapore's position on the latest political developments in Myanmar with respect to Myanmar's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014 and the implications this will have for achieving an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give his assessment of the situation in Myanmar and what is the impact of the recent developments in Myanmar on Singapore and ASEAN as a whole.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr K Shanmugam): Sir, as Question Nos 14, 15 and 16 are related, with your leave, I will take them together.

Mr Speaker: Please do.

Mr K Shanmugam: I last spoke on this issue two months ago at the 14 February sitting. Let me provide a short update on developments since then. Myanmar has successfully held peaceful and inclusive by-elections on 1 April 2012. Myanmar invited observers from ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and regional and international organisations to this important event. Just two days after, Myanmar President Thein Sein briefed ASEAN Leaders at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh on developments in his country. ASEAN Leaders welcomed the successful by-elections, in line with ASEAN's position to support Myanmar's implementation of its Seven-Step Roadmap to Democracy. To this end, the ASEAN Leaders also called for the immediate lifting of all sanctions on Myanmar.

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The current Myanmar government's commitment to national reconciliation is starting to show results. At this important juncture, we hope that the opposition parties as well as the government will continue to make efforts to work together for the good of their country. Moving forward will require all stakeholders to display pragmatism and political flexibility as they navigate unprecedented situations.

ASEAN's consistent advocacy for the lifting of sanctions is gaining traction in the international community. After Australia and the US announced that they intended to ease some sanctions against Myanmar, the EU quickly followed suit and agreed to suspend most of its sanctions too. On 30 April 2012, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who had just visited Myanmar, also called for the international community to lift sanctions on Myanmar.

The overall trajectory of political developments in Myanmar in recent months has been positive. The gains will need to be consolidated and the way forward will be fraught with uncertainties. This is inevitable in any transition of the magnitude we have witnessed. The steps that President Thein Sein and his government are taking ought to be recognised and encouraged. To that effect, ASEAN maintains that all sanctions should be lifted. Not only will it send a strong signal of encouragement to the people of Myanmar to continue on this path to reform, it will also help integrate Myanmar's economy into the global system. These would stand Myanmar in good stead as it heads towards assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2014.

Myanmar's ASEAN Chairmanship will come at a crucial time, just before ASEAN's goal of achieving an ASEAN Community in 2015. Myanmar is aware of the stakes, and is taking steps to address the unique challenges of the Chairmanship. We are confident that Myanmar will work hard to make its Chairmanship a success. Singapore has continued to provide capacity building assistance to Myanmar officials and will fully support Myanmar's efforts to ensure successful outcomes in 2014.

Ms Mary Liew: Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for the updates. I would like to ask some supplementary questions. We could probably get an assessment from the Minister. Would there be a situation whereby the foreign investors would prefer Myanmar than Singapore in the long run; and how would that affect Singapore and its economy as well as our workers?

Mr K Shanmugam: Sir, the Member should probably ask the Minister for Trade and Industry, but I think the approach we should take to these things is that Myanmar is a country of 60 million. It is rich in resources. By integrating it into the regional and international economy, we should see it as offering tremendous opportunities to Singapore as well as other countries. If you look at the nature of economies and where Myanmar is, and where the other countries in the region are including Singapore, we are at different levels of development. We are in a position to help Myanmar in a number of ways and it should be a win-win outcome.

Mr Nicholas Fang (Nominated Member): Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply. One supplementary question to follow up to that. The Minister mentioned some areas that we are looking at, and obviously, the lifting of sanctions will benefit Myanmar's economy. Have there been any updates since the last time we spoke about specific sectors where Singapore companies looking to invest could possibly move into in Myanmar? I know some have been mentioned in the past. Have there been any latest updates?

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Mr K Shanmugam: It is not just Singapore companies which are looking at Myanmar. We have to be very clear about what we are talking about. When I make my statements, we are talking about helping Myanmar in capacity development, public governance and to be able to absorb the changes that are taking place and to help their people improve their lives. In addition, of course, we facilitate investment trips to Myanmar. Likewise, companies from all over the world are looking at Myanmar.

Myanmar has got to assess what sort of partnerships and investments will help facilitate its development at this point of its transition. We have had a number of visits by our business people. Singapore Business Federation has led highly successful visits, over-subscribed each time that SBF has gone. You know our approach – we do not make decisions for business people. They go there, they look. These are early days, but I think what I can say is the interest in Myanmar is very substantial. We believe that interest can be developed in a way that is beneficial for Myanmar and beneficial for the world, including Singapore.

Mr Speaker: Dr Lim Wee Kiak, last question.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Foreign Minister a question. I have read many reports regarding the treatment of the minority groups within Myanmar, especially the Karen group as well as the Shan group. It seems that there are suppression and human rights violations. Does the ASEAN Foreign Minister group have any opinion on that and how these should be resolved and whether this will affect the image of ASEAN ultimately?

Mr K Shanmugam: We have always encouraged Myanmar to adopt the international norms in the treatment of all of its people. The way we have done it is to first say to the world that sanctions are not the most effective way. And at the same time to encourage Myanmar to adopt practices which are consistent with international norms, not just vis-Ã-vis the minorities but vis-Ã-vis all of its people and I think it is inappropriate for me to comment on specific treatment of minorities as such, but the developments that have taken place since, say, October of last year right up to now, including the signing of peace agreements with a very substantial number of minority groups, all forbode well; they are in the right direction and ought to be encouraged.

Mr Speaker: Ms Irene Ng, last question.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: Yes, Sir. Can I ask the Foreign Minister for his assessment of the military junta now in Myanmar in terms their approach towards reforms and their commitment to political reforms, and also his assessment of Aung San Suu Kyi on her ability to forge a united Myanmar which champions democracy?

Mr K Shanmugam: Listening to the Member's question, one almost thinks that she has taken in, hook, line and sinker, all the propaganda against Myanmar. First of all, there is no military junta in charge. Members might recall that there were elections held a little bit earlier and there is an elected president in parliament. There may be different views on how that parliament and leadership ought to be viewed, but certainly I think that we are dealing with a sovereign country that has dealt with its institutions through an election, whether perfect or imperfect. And by most accounts, the most recent by-elections have met norms which have satisfied most people. If you look at the actions of the president who has been elected, particularly in the last six months or so, it is not just Singapore, it is not just ASEAN, but the world. I refer to the US, Australia, the European Union, everyone recognises that these are real, credible changes which ought to be supported. They are very positive.

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Second, as regards Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's ability to, I think the Member said, "manage the country", again I think the Member may be running a little bit ahead of the events. She is the leader of a party that has the minority of seats in parliament. It is encouraging that the president, the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, all have pledged to work within the current framework to transform Myanmar. We hope that that practical flexibility and pragmatism will continue to prevail. And if it does, there is reason to be optimistic.

Mr Speaker: Order. I propose to take the break now. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again for the continuation of Question Time at 3.40 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended

at 3.20 pm until 3.40 pm.

Sitting resumed at 3.40 pm.

[ Mr Speaker in the Chair]

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Resumed.