[Defending the Lion City] "Singapore needs strong economy, military so it won't be bullied"

Said Prof Koh: "Singapore has existed as a sovereign and independent state for 50 years. Small states cannot take their security for granted. History is replete with examples of small states which have either disappeared or been dismembered as a result of the aggressive behaviour of their larger neighbours. Historically, the world has always been a dangerous place for small countries."

Prof Koh, who is also an Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was giving a lecture titled "Singapore & International Law: A 50-Year Retrospective" to members of the Law Society of Singapore.

By Faris Mokhtar, CNA,  POSTED: 08 Oct 2015 23:38  UPDATED: 09 Oct 2015 00:26

SINGAPORE: The first principle of Singapore's foreign policy is to have both a strong economy and military so it will not be bullied or intimidated by bigger countries, said Professor (Prof) Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, during a dialogue session organised by the Law Society of Singapore on Thursday (Oct 8).

Prof Koh said Singapore recognises the need to have a strong military to guard against external threats. That is because it acknowledges that the international rule of law has limits. For instance, it cannot deter a superpower from using military force to secure its objectives.

But Prof Koh, who was Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1968 to 1971, said that within those limits, Singapore has sought to use international law as a "sword" to advance its interests and as a shield to protect its interests.

He gave examples including the territorial dispute with Malaysia over the sovereignty of Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge. In 2008, the International Court of Justice ruled in Singapore's favour on Pedra Branca, but awarded Middle Rocks to Malaysia.

Said Prof Koh: "Singapore has existed as a sovereign and independent state for 50 years. Small states cannot take their security for granted. History is replete with examples of small states which have either disappeared or been dismembered as a result of the aggressive behaviour of their larger neighbours. Historically, the world has always been a dangerous place for small countries."

- CNA/hs

Source: CNA http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-needs-strong/2179140.html

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This is why any suggestion to cut defence spending or to reduce the length of NS training is foolhardy and dangerous.

The first principle of Singapore's foreign policy is to have BOTH A STRONG ECONOMY AND MILITARY so it will not be bullied or intimidated by bigger countries, said Professor (Prof) Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, during a dialogue session organised by the Law Society of Singapore on Thursday (Oct 8).

Prof Koh said Singapore recognises the need to have a strong military to guard against external threats. That is because it acknowledges that the international rule of law has limits. For instance, it cannot deter a superpower from using military force to secure its objectives.

But Prof Koh, who was Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1968 to 1971, said that within those limits, Singapore has sought to use international law as a "sword" to advance its interests and as a shield to protect its interests.

By Singapore Matters

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