ASEAN (Benefits to Singapore and future plans)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (a) what economic or other benefits has ASEAN brought to Singapore since its formation; and (b) whether he will inform the House briefly about the future plans of ASEAN.

Mr Rajaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, ASEAN has as yet brought no direct economic benefits to its members. However, this should occasion no special disappointment because ASEAN was formed only a little over a year ago. However, during this year, it has been able to clarify for itself the possible approaches to greater economic cooperation among member states. At the ministerial meeting held in Jakarta last August, reports by ASEAN ad hoc committees on food production and supply, including fisheries, shipping, transport and telecommunications, civil aviation and tourism were approved and adopted. The Ministers further decided that these recommendations should be examined in greater detail by the ASEAN National Secretariat to decide which could be implemented immediately and which would require further study.

Singapore has already given effect to some of the recommendations made at the last ministerial meeting, though all these related to tourism. Firstly, we have introduced seven-day visa free facilities to persons arriving in Singapore provided they possess valid passports, firm bookings and entry facilities to their destinations and continue their journey within seven days of arrival in Singapore. Secondly, we have agreed to accept collective passports and travel documents issued to parties of between five and 25 persons, all of whom should be nationals of a country and travelling on package or chartered tours to countries within the ASEAN region.

Singapore, together with Indonesia, has also been pursuing the possibility of joint development of Bali as an international tourist resort. Last April, a ten-man technical fact-finding mission from Singapore visited Indonesia to make recommendations on the project to the two Governments. The mission's report has been presented and accepted in principle by the Government of Indonesia pending a more detailed assessment to be undertaken by the Stamford Research Institute.

As to the future plans of ASEAN, the hon. Member's guess will be as good as mine. Like many other efforts at regional co-operation, ASEAN too is running into a spot of bother at the moment. I do not want to minimise these difficulties, but all I can say is that the present difficulties would appear trivial and irrelevant to what ASEAN countries would face were they to abandon altogether their belief in the need for regional co-operation. As far as Singapore is concerned, its attitude towards ASEAN has never been one of starry-eyed optimism. Progress towards regional co-operation will be, particularly in the early stages, slow, painful and interrupted by setbacks. But we are equally convinced that hard economic and political facts will push ASEAN countries in the direction of regional co-operation. However much we the members may drag our feet, each passing year will make clearer to ASEAN countries that the choice for them ultimately is one of hanging together or hanging separately.

So, Mr Speaker, Sir, to put it succinctly, at the moment as of today, I will describe ASEAN as a state of mind rather than a fulfilment.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Can the Minister state whether the present deadlock between the Philippines and Malaysia over the Sabah claim will lead to the dissolution of ASEAN, or, at best, adversely affect the future of ASEAN?

Mr Rajaratnam: I think the hon. Member should read the newspapers because I cannot read them for him!