WITHDRAWAL OF NEW ZEALAND FORCES

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (a) what are the reasons for the withdrawal of New Zealand forces from Singapore; and (b) what impact it will have on our defence capability.

The Second Minister for Defence (Dr Yeo Ning Hong) (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Sir, I am answering on behalf of the First Deputy Prime Minister.

Sir, let me preface my answer with a short history of the contribution of the New Zealand Forces to the security of South East Asia in the past three decades.

New Zealand Forces stationed in Singapore today comprise the First Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, the Headquarters of the New Zealand Forces in South East Asia and a small detachment of helicopters.

Since 1955, 32 years ago, New Zealand Forces have been deployed in Malaysia, then Malaya, where they fought communist insurgents and later formed part of the Commonwealth Forces during the Indonesian Confrontation between 1964 and 1966. In 1969 the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, moved to Singapore.

At a time when Singapore and Malaysia were newly independent and when the British announced their withdrawal, the continued stationing of New Zealand Forces was a significant show of support and an assuring gesture to countries in the region. It afforded these countries the lead time to develop economically and politically and to strengthen their own defence capabilities.

Coming now to the question proper, New Zealand's intention to withdraw its forces from South East Asia is the result of the New Zealand Government defence policy review which recommended concentrating their defence forces and capabilities on New Zealand's immediate environment, in particular the South Pacific region. Moreover, the South East Asian countries today have not only successfully tackled the communist threat and confrontation but have gone on to develop their own defence capabilities.

New Zealand's decision to withdraw its forces from Singapore was taken after mutual consultations between New Zealand and Singapore and the other parties of the Five Power Defence Arrangement.

The Government of New Zealand has expressed its wish to remain an active member of the Five Power Defence Arrangement. It is also the intention of the New Zealand Government to continue its participation in joint exercises and to cooperate in existing and new areas of bilateral relationship within the framework of the Five Power Defence Arrangement.

Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens): Sir, can I ask the Minister what impact the withdrawal of the New Zealand Forces will have on ASEAN military cooperation, especially cooperation with our neighbours.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, the cooperation between the Asean countries will continue.