4-7-2023 (SINGAPORE) Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan has provided written replies to parliamentary questions regarding a recent report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur. The report alleged that supplies worth US$254 million (S$340 million) were shipped to Myanmar’s junta through Singapore.
Parliamentarians Vikram Nair of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and Dennis Tan of the Workers’ Party posed questions to Vivian, seeking clarification on the investigation into the report and any actions taken.
Vikram Nair inquired about the government’s investigation into the allegations made by UN special rapporteur Thomas Andrews. He also asked for updates on the matter and if any action had been taken. Dennis Tan asked about the number of Singapore-based companies identified by the Special Rapporteur in the sale of dual-use items, raw materials, and spare parts for military purposes in Myanmar, as well as the action taken against such companies. He also inquired about the involvement of Singapore-based banks in financing the transactions and any action taken against them.
In his response, Vivian emphasized that there was no general trade embargo against Myanmar, as the Singapore government did not want to contribute to the suffering of Myanmar’s civilian population. He highlighted that Singapore’s total bilateral trade with Myanmar in 2022 amounted to S$5.8 billion, and the allegations in the UN report covered a two-year period involving US$254 million (S$343 million) worth of goods.
Vivian stated that the Singapore government took the report by Thomas Andrews seriously and requested specific and verifiable evidence to support their efforts. As a result, an initial list of 47 entities was identified, followed by an additional 91 entities. Nine of these entities were no longer registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), rendering them unable to conduct business or operate as legal entities in Singapore. Among these entities were those allegedly involved in the transfer of components and spare parts for fighter aircraft and Myanmar Navy equipment.
Most of the initial 47 entities no longer had business facilities with Singapore banks. The banks would review the remaining accounts and implement appropriate measures, including enhanced scrutiny, to prevent suspicious transactions and restrict undesirable business activities.
Vivian mentioned that Myanmar was on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist, leading financial institutions in Singapore to apply enhanced due diligence measures for customers and transactions linked to Myanmar.
Regarding specific details in the report, Vivian stated that the government was investigating the alleged transfer of “arms and related goods” through Singapore-based entities to Myanmar’s military. He clarified that the report did not indicate specific armaments being transferred, but rather mentioned spare parts and equipment without providing further details. The report also referred to dual-use supplies, manufacturing equipment, and raw materials. Vivian asserted that these items did not fall under the ordinary meaning of arms or weaponry, highlighting that computers and medical equipment were considered non-controlled items.
Vivian reiterated that the Singapore government had not conducted any military sales to the Myanmar military in recent years, including the period covered by the report (February 2021 to December 2022). He emphasized the government’s commitment to prevent the transfer of arms and dual-use items with potential military application to Myanmar, especially when there is a serious risk of violence against unarmed civilians. Any individual or entity contravening this policy would face appropriate action.
The report by Thomas Andrews, published in May 2023, alleged that dual-use items, raw materials, and spare parts for advanced weapons systems had been regularly flowing to the Myanmar military through Singapore-based entities since the coup. These supplies supported the operation of KaPaSa factories, which were involved in the production of a range of weapons and weapons systems. However, the report did not indicate that entities controlled by the Singapore government had approved or transferred arms to the Myanmar military.
The situation in Myanmar remains volatile, with ongoing conflicts between the military and various resistance groups since the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been sentenced to 33 years imprisonment, will have her appeal heard by Myanmar’s supreme court this week. Despite international efforts to resolve the political crisis, the military government has disregarded attempts by ASEAN, including its Five Point Consensus. As a result, Myanmar continues to be excluded from the bloc’s ministerial-level meetings.
