Lunar New Year is a special and joyous time of celebration. Tonight, across Singapore, Chinese families are enjoying reunion dinners with loved ones. In the coming days, we will visit one another’s homes to exchange New Year greetings. Over delectable snacks and yusheng, we will catch up with family and friends, especially those we have not seen for a while. Many non-Chinese too join the festivities, visiting Chinese friends and enjoying the holiday.
Even as the years go by and the world changes, we keep alive these traditions, handed down to us through the generations. They remind us of what is truly important in life. What matters is not what we have, but whom we have beside us on life’s journey.
New Year is also a time for thanksgiving and reflection. We give thanks for the blessings big and small that we experienced this year, whether it is an extra red packet for a new addition to the family, or Ah Boy coming home to reunion dinner with a shaved head, or Uncle’s new job.
We also take a longer look back, to remind ourselves how far our nation has come and what we owe to earlier generations. Recently I made pre-New Year visits to the wet markets in Teck Ghee, meeting residents and catching up with the stallholders, many of whom I have known for years. We remark to each other that we are all 老了– growing old. When we first went to Ang Mo Kio in the early 1980s, it was a brand new town, and we were young adults, starting out on life’s journey. Now, our children have grown up and we are proud of them. They are striking out on their own, starting their own families, enjoying many more opportunities than their parents. The days are long, but the years are short.
While we reminisce, we also look forward, to plan ahead and envision what we will do this year. Because each New Year is renewal. Many of us have spent the last few days “spring-cleaning” – sweeping away bad luck to ready our homes for good luck. This emphasis on renewal is even sharper in this year of the Rooster, whose crowing signals a fresh dawn.
For young couples, renewal means making a serious life decision to start a family and have children. The Government is doing all we can to help families do this. We have substantially expanded preschool, childcare and infant care places. We are providing more affordable and good kindergartens. We are shortening waiting times for HDB flats, so couples can set up home and start families sooner. I hope that the New Year bring with it the lusty cries of many more new-born babies!
One important area of renewal for us all is the economy. In Singapore, we have always grown by renewing ourselves, taking our economy in fresh directions, opening new markets and fields of business. That is how we have stayed relevant to the world, vibrant and prosperous. That is what we must do again now, at this moment when there is such uncertainty in the global environment.
The Committee for the Future Economy (CFE), led by Heng Swee Keat and Iswaran, has been working on this for the past year. It will deliver its report soon, setting out strategies for growth in the next 10 to 15 years. It will identify new and promising industries and sectors, and plans to ensure that our children and grandchildren will enjoy many opportunities when they enter the workforce. The Budget will follow up with concrete measures to implement the CFE proposals. The Budget will also respond to our more immediate economic needs. Last year growth was sluggish, although it picked up towards the end of the year. I hope the pickup will continue through this year.
Economic restructuring is hard work for both businesses and workers. We know this from experience. It is not easy for workers to learn new ways to do things or to switch jobs. Neither is it easy for businesses to change the way they work, or develop innovative products and new markets. But we have to persevere with upgrading, because it is the only way to improve the lives of Singaporeans.
I am confident we can succeed. We have done it before, and we have the wherewithal to do it again. Here in Singapore, we tackle our challenges together. Government, businesses and workers all play their part, coming together to plan ahead, support one another and seize new opportunities. This is how our children and their children can dream bigger dreams than us, and live better lives than ours.
It has been so for every generation. Two weeks ago, I presented an Edusave Merit Bursary to 9-year old Adam Zafran. When I met his father, Aziz bin Ahmad, I had a wonderful surprise. Aziz had brought an old photo of me presenting him a Bursary Award in 1986, 31 years ago! The bursary helped Aziz and his family back then. Now he is doing well, and his son is following in his footsteps, studying hard and doing well in school. There are many more stories like this one. Together, they make up our Singapore story, each generation works hard to build a better Singapore for our children.
The New Year is about our future. Ultimately, it is the future of our children and our loved ones that drives us to give of our best. Let us approach this year of the Rooster with renewed determination, vigour and hope, to build our future together.
I wish all Singaporeans a Very Happy Lunar New Year!
MFA
Press Statement: Reply from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying
On 24 January 2017, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Leung Chun-ying replied to Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong’s earlier letter to inform him that the Hong Kong
authorities have completed their investigations, and will be releasing
the SAF Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles and other equipment to the
Singapore Government through the carrier. This is a positive outcome.
Prime Minister Lee has replied to Chief Executive Leung to thank him for
Hong Kong’s cooperation in resolving this matter.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
24 JANUARY 2017
“MINDEF and SAF are in close communication with the carrier APL and assisting them to ensure that there is a smooth repatriation of the SAF terrexes.
When the terrexes are released by Hong Kong customs, APL has told us that they will make special efforts to expedite the process, despite this being a Chinese New Year weekend, as you can imagine. Many countries, when Chinese New Year approaches, many companies will be on leave but APL said they will make special efforts.
And they also informed us that they will transport the terrexes directly from Hong Kong back to Singapore without any intermediate stops. Even then, that seal of passage from Hong Kong to Singapore directly will take about a week." Defence Min. Ng Eng Hen
Interestingly, Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise Roy Tang's statement seem to suggest that the shipper, APL was the main cause of the Terrex ICVs being detained.
“The
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to complying with
international standards of strategic trade control, and Hong Kong
implements a robust control system to achieve it.
Import,
export and transshipment/transit of strategic commodities in breach of
licensing requirement are criminal offences punishable under the Hong
Kong law."
Roy Tang also said that the Hong Kong Customs has
completed its investigation of the suspected breach, and the
investigation might lead to criminal prosecution.
While he did not
elaborate on the possible target for prosecution, nor did he respond to
queries on whether APL would face legal action , he did state that "the department had ruled out any involvement by the Singapore government in shipping breaches through the former British colony".
Hmm... sounds like APL may yet be out of hot water yet.
In any case, we are all glad that our Terrex ICVs are coming home.
================================================ Update: The Terrex ICVs have left HK on 27 Jan 2017. Source: None other than the Defence Ministers's FB page.
On 18 Jan 2017, the Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the United Nations Assembly in Geneva, and part of his speech stated that all countries should be seen as equals.
Here are some quotes from his speech.
"Big countries should treat smaller countries as equals instead of acting as a hegemon, imposing their will on others..."
"No country should open the Pandora’s box by willfully waging wars or undermining the international rule of law."
"In a new era, we should uphold sovereign equality and work for equality in right, opportunity and rules for all countries."
Much bullshit Jinping has in him, considering that in as far as Singapore's Terrex ICVs are concerned, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang warned Singapore to be "cautious" after we called out the fact that the detainment of the Terrex ICVs goes against well established Principle of Sovereign Immunity which China also subscribes to.
"I hope the relevant parties can be cautious in their remarks and actions."
Despite what Xi Jingping says to the UN, China unlawful actions over Singapore's Terrex ICVs (which to date, the HK Customs STILL CANNOT state the reason why the ICVs are being detained) shows that his words are just empty promises. And let's not even get started on how China is handling the South China Sea issue.
This would be China's real definition of "sovereign equality".
If you are a big country like the US, we will treat you "equally". If you are a little red dot like Singapore, then you will lan lan, suck thumb according to our whims.
So don't come and talkcock lah China. Back up your words with concrete actions.
On Monday, Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen rose in Parliament to respond to queries by MPs on the seizure of Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) armoured vehicles in Hong Kong. He said the vehicles and other equipment are the property of the Singapore Government and protected by sovereign immunity under international law. He asked Hong Kong to return them immediately.
The principle of sovereign immunity is founded on equality between countries. When the actions of one sovereign country are brought to the courts in another, generally the relevant jurisdiction of the latter is not exercised. And such a concept exists in China, Britain, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Before Sept 8, 2011, when the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal ruled on a court case involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and FG Hemisphere Associates, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region had been applying relevant concepts of sovereign immunity from the British State Immunity Act 1978. That meant the commercial activities of a sovereign country could not invoke sovereign immunity and be exempt from prosecution. In Hong Kong, sovereign states also had to appear in court for legal action arising from commercial disputes or activities.
However, in the 2011 lawsuit involving a debt dispute between DR Congo and FG Hemisphere, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal requested that China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) give its interpretation of the relevant articles of the Basic Law, on the basis that the case concerned foreign relations. In its interpretation, the NPCSC pointed out that the British State Immunity Act 1978 no longer applied to Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong should adopt the same approach as China in exercising absolute immunity.
This means that any action by sovereign states in Hong Kong is not liable for prosecution. Following the ruling of the Court of Final Appeal on Sept 8, 2011, there are no longer exceptions on Hong Kong's position on sovereign immunity.
Since the NPCSC has established that the State Immunity Act no longer applies to Hong Kong when explaining the Basic Law, and that China's effecting of absolute sovereign immunity applies, Hong Kong has no legal basis to hold the SAF's armoured vehicles.
Hong Kong Customs should take reference from the DR Congo and FG Hemisphere case and immediately return the armoured vehicles to the Singapore Government, and not continue to hold them on the pretext of an investigation.
Hong Kong's Department of Justice (DOJ), as legal counsel to the Hong Kong government, wrote the grounds of judgment on the DR Congo and FG Hemisphere case. Veteran lawyer and Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen should know that the seizure of Singapore's armoured vehicles cannot stand before the law.
The DOJ is duty-bound to give Hong Kong Customs its legal opinion and point out that under Hong Kong's current laws, there is no basis to hold the armoured vehicles, which were being commercially transported without any explosives on them. While these armoured vehicles are strategic assets legally, it is also clear that sovereign immunity comes above all else.
If China does not want the incident to hurt its relationship with Singapore, all it needs to do is to get the Hong Kong government to release the armoured vehicles based on NPCSC's interpretation of the Basic Law in 2011. Doing so can also be seen as China exercising its sovereignty over Hong Kong, which in fact is also face-saving for China without hurting Singapore-China relations and Hong Kong's status as a free port.
However, if China continues to get Hong Kong to hold these armoured vehicles, not only will it hurt Hong Kong's status as a free port and in turn China's economic interests, but the NPCSC's effectiveness in interpreting the Basic Law will also be called into question.
Since the NPCSC has stated in its interpretation that Hong Kong should exercise absolute sovereign immunity, how effective and logical is NPCSC's interpretation of the Basic Law if China insists on detaining the armoured vehicles?
While the legal interpretation of the DR Congo and FG Hemisphere case has come under criticism by many in the legal and business sectors in Hong Kong, at the very least, it was carried out according to the specific proceedings of the Basic Law, and indeed the NPCSC has the authority to interpret the Basic Law.
But if the same interpretation is not applied to the seizure of Singapore's armoured vehicles, the authority of the NPCSC in interpreting the Basic Law for Hong Kong will become more questionable, to the detriment of not just Singapore-China ties.
It remains to be seen if Beijing will resolve the seizure of the armoured vehicles with wisdom and in keeping with Hong Kong law. A swift return of the vehicles to the Singapore Government will minimise the negative impact of the issue and bring about a win-win outcome for Singapore, Hong Kong and China.
• The writer, Martin Oei, is a British current affairs commentator based in Hong Kong. This article was first published in Chinese in Lianhe Zaobao.
"Have you seen the video of this interview recently?
Been told by All Singapore Stuff, TR Emeritus and States Times Review that this was a Chinese official giving the "official stand" that China will not return the Terrexes unless Singapore acceded to the two points this guy states in the interview?
Well, they're all telling you bullshit.
This guy is Song Zhongping, and is a military analyst from Beijing.
Yes, basically it means he makes guesses and conjectures based on what he reads and sees. But at the end of the day, it's no more official a position than what you or I say.
DTCL: Even the China govt's attack dog mouthpiece, Global Times, only recognizes Song Zhongping as a Beijing-based military expert. He is NOT a Chinese Govt Official (see here or Google it for yourself).
TODAY: PM Lee writes to HK chief exec requesting return of Terrexes, as Defence Minister urges compliance of international law
SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying requesting for the immediate return of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) armoured vehicles being detained by Hong Kong customs, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Monday (Jan 9).
The Hong Kong authorities have responded that the investigation is ongoing and will take some time to complete, and that the Hong Kong Government will handle the matter in accordance with their laws, Dr Ng said.
Welcoming the response, Dr Ng added: “Adherence to the rule of law has been the fundamental basis for peace and stability for the last half century in Asia. It has enabled countries both large and small to build trust and confidence in one another, cooperate and prosper together… We therefore look forward to the Hong Kong Government returning our Terrexes in accordance with international law.”
Under the principle of sovereign immunity, State properties – including military assets - are immune from any measures of constraint abroad, and cannot legally be detained or confiscated by other countries. “This principle is well-established under international law, and we are advised by lawyers that it is also the law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR),” Dr Ng said.
The Singapore Government has informed its Hong Kong counterpart on a number of occasions over the last two months – both through its lawyers and its Hong Kong Consul-General Foo Teow Lee – that the Terrexes and other equipment being detained belong to it. “Accordingly we have requested the Hong Kong authorities to return our property immediately,” said Dr Ng, adding that Mr Lee’s letter to Mr Leung reiterates the same message.
Dr Ng said: “Singapore and Hong Kong have long enjoyed good and friendly relations. We hope the matter will be resolved satisfactorily and our friendly relations will endure.”
Dr Ng, who had previously said that Singapore has been working at all levels of government “quietly and out of the limelight” to get the Terrexes back, was replying to several questions filed by Members of Parliament on the matter. Six MPs – including Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) MP Vikram Nair, Aljunied GRC MP Pritam Singh, Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Zaqy Mohamad - had tabled questions on the issue, touching on areas such as Singapore’s relations with China, whether any military secrets could be compromised, and what steps the Government is taking to get the vehicles back. The MPs also want to know whether the Ministry of Defence is reviewing its existing contractual arrangements for the transportation of military equipment between Singapore and foreign ports.
In response, Dr Ng reiterated that the Terrexes and other equipment being detained were being used for training and do not contain sensitive equipment. Each year, the SAF transports more than 700 military equipment using commercial carriers to all parts of the world in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. The SAF’s contracts with the shipping companies and agents require them to comply with established protocols and all relevant international and local port rules, Dr Ng said. “Neither the SAF, Singapore, nor indeed most other countries operate on the assumption that our cargo will be arbitrarily seized when transiting reputable foreign ports. The SAF has followed these procedures for shipping military equipment for over 30 years without any significant incidents.”
Dr Ng noted that it would cost “three to four times more, and add several hundred million dollars” to the Ministry of Defence’s (Mindef) annual budget, to ship all military equipment directly from point-to-point. Currently, the navy does not have transport ships with the scale and capability to ship all the equipment. Its Endurance Class Landing Ships Tanks – the largest multi-purpose and transport ships – are due for replacement, and Mindef will consider if it needs to replace them with ships of larger capacity, Dr Ng said.
There are rare exceptions when the SAF does not use commercial shipping companies, or will apply special considerations if it does, based on security risk assessments. For example, for advanced weapon and sensor systems or submarines that were brought back by the SAF to Singapore. The special measures include chartering whole ships, mandating direct shipments, deploying protection forces or even converting the commercial ship into a government ship using the State Marine Ensign, Dr Ng said., Dr Ng said.
The Terrexes – which were being transported from Taiwan to Singapore when they were seized on Nov 23 - did not fall into this special category, he added. Arising from the seizure, the SAF has reviewed its shipping procedures comprehensively, Dr Ng said. “Where we think the risk of detention of SAF assets has gone up, whether in Asia or any other part of the world, we will impose extra precautions even if this means incurring higher freight charges,” he said. Alternatively, the SAF may consider leasing space to house equipment at its overseas training sites – which is already being practised for certain equipment - to avoid shipping them altogether, and procure additional units to meet operational requirements, where necessary.
"What the two incidents drive home is this – power comes from the barrel of the gun. If we do not have the military to back us, our best diplomatic efforts won’t get us anywhere.
How else would countries like Indonesia and Malaysia treat us as equal? Is it enough to count on the goodwill of our friendly neighbours?
I think it’s best we arm ourselves well and that allows us to speak softly.
Come to think of it, Paul Tambyah and SDP, you still want to cut defence spending by 40%?"
"Some Singaporeans insist we apologise to China. WOW, what have they been smoking?
Shame on them. We are shipping our Terrex for Singapore’s military use, NOT for the Taiwanese.
If we are such pushovers, it will be the end of Singapore. Our modus operandi is to follow and respect international laws, and work within such frameworks.
Big countries can push their weight around (South China Sea hint hint), but Singapore is tough as nails. We make a stand and stick to it. China is using the Terrex incident to send us a message.
However, we are not mouthpieces. We will not be moved."
"Given the even tenor of ties , some have asked why Singapore should choose to upset them. Why not keep a discreet silence on the arbitration tribunal ruling against China's claims when it is, after all, not a claimant to any of the disputed South China Sea features?
But the fact is that China's insistence that it would not recognise the arbitration tribunal decision of last July undermines regional order - the very oxygen needed for small states such as Singapore to survive. The tribunal decision declared, among other things, that China's claim of "historic rights" to the South China Sea is incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
There is emerging hubris in Chinese policy circles over China's emergence as a great power and the concurrent decline of the US. As one well-connected Chinese interlocutor opined recently, no one should "push China around", even on contentious issues such as the South China Sea.
Amid such hubris, some countries have already succumbed to the temptation of bagging all the economic carrots that China has to offer, in exchange for a softer stance on the South China Sea."
"Singapore knows that its options are limited as a small state with an open economy. It cannot afford to fully ally itself to one world power or another. Not only would that ultimately result in vassal-dom, it would also close it off to options to pursue international political, economic and social objectives that are in its own national interest.
Its only recourse when large powers flex their muscles is summarised in this statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the South China Sea dispute: “We support the peaceful resolution of disputes… in accordance with universally-recognised principles of international law… without resorting to the threat or use of force. As a small state, we strongly support the maintenance of a rules-based order that upholds and protects the rights and privileges of all states.”
Update: Min for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen tweeted that he will be stating the Singapore Govt's position on the Terrex incident in Parliament later today (9 Jan 2017).
Terrex issue a low point in 2016, but issue mustn't be allowed to dominate: Ng Eng Hen
SINGAPORE: The detention of Singapore's Terrex armoured vehicles by Hong Kong authorities was a low point in 2016 - but it does not pose an existential threat or even a potential threat as say, terrorism does today, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Friday (Dec 30).
As such, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) must not lose focus or allow the one issue to dominate all else, wrote Dr Ng in a Facebook post.
"Neither should Singaporeans allow this one incident to shake our confidence or weaken our solidarity," Dr Ng wrote. "We are a sovereign and independent country, and we will chart our own future."
The shipment of nine armoured military vehicles has been held in Hong Kong since they were seized at Kwai Chung Container Terminal in late November.
Dr Ng added the SAF "will learn from this episode and has already changed its practices to better protect our assets".
He also revealed that the Defence Ministry has been "working at all levels of Government these past two months to effect their return, quietly and out of the limelight where it is more effective".
Dr Ng said he would give more details on the Terrex incident when Parliament sits next. The next sitting is scheduled for Jan 9.
TIES WITH US, CHINA, INDIA 'FUNDAMENTALLY STRONG'
Apart from the Terrex incident, Dr Ng said that the year 2016 saw "significant achievements" that have strengthened Singapore's security.
"Over 50 years, we have built up strong partnerships across the world, and have achieved a high standing in the international community,” wrote the Defence Minister. “Our relations with countries like the US, China and India are fundamentally strong and healthy.”
Added Dr Ng: “We may not see eye to eye on every issue, but that is the norm of bilateral relations between any two independent and sovereign nations. More importantly, with these countries, both sides value the mutual benefits that arise from strong bilateral ties and want to enhance these ties, not make them worse.”
Dr Ng also mentioned the “strong and growing” defence ties with other countries through the Five-Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, which comprises the ten ASEAN countries and eight non-ASEAN countries - Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.
“All in all, Singapore has been protected and Singaporeans kept safe,” Dr Ng said. “We enter 2017 with uncertainties about the global economy, international politics and regional security, and the ongoing threat of terrorism. But if we stay vigilant, united and support each other, we will draw strength and overcome all challenges that come our way.”
Things to ponder about before we say bye to 2016...
“Where’s our Terrex tanks?”
China returned United States their underwater drone one day after seizing it. Why hold our Terrex tanks for so long then?
United States did not even justify what was the drone doing in “China’s” water but our tanks were just shipped openly without any intention. China a flat track bully? What do they gain by bullying a small state like us Singapore?
“Big brothers” around us trying to play punk...
Up North, Malaysia has introduced high toll fees ($15.30) for vehicles entering and exiting via Singapore and yet almost free or at most (RM$3.60) for Bruneian and Thai cars. Why the big difference? Is this against international laws?
Down South, “we have to thank them for fresh air” Indonesia’s airport’s runways are always “closed for maintenance” whenever SIA flights were scheduled to land. Yet other airlines are not affected by the “maintenance”.
SINGAPORE - The swift action taken after a complaint was received about the former general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) shows the "essence of how the Government is run", said Minister of Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam on Friday (Jan 6).
"Regardless of who and regardless of the fact that this is the general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, if there is an allegation, it will be investigated and no one will be spared," he said.
"No town council, no one, nothing will be swept under the carpet. That is why Singapore is successful, because we take probity in public office very, very seriously."
Mr Shanmugam was asked about the case on the sidelines of a press conference to announce the results of a review of criminal investigation processes.
Mr Victor Wong, who works for CPG Facilities Management, the managing agent of the town council, is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
He was asked to go on leave by his company after the town council received a complaint about him in September, town council chairman Ang Hin Kee told The Straits Times on Dec 29.
Mr Ang had said that the complaint "arose out of his dealings which relateto probable behaviour needing investigation done by CPIB".
Mr Shanmugam also contrasted the actions taken by AMKTC to the practices of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), which had come under fire last year (2016) for lapses in governance by auditor KPMG.
"(In) the only place where this Government is not in charge ... you have people appointing their cronies to run the Town Council. You have the Town Councillors being misled about the terms on which the cronies were appointed," he said.
He added: "But Ang Mo Kio Town Council, complaint made, CPIB is in. Aljunied Town Council, court application after court application, auditor general to investigate because they wouldn't give the information to their own auditors, their own auditors prepared a report saying we are being denied the information. You call that good behaviour with public funds?
A 68-page report by KPMG on AHTC's accounts released in November last year (2016) revealed that payments totalling at least $23 million were approved by town council members with a conflict of interest.
Improper payments totalling about $1.5 million were also identified.
The Court of Appeal had ordered the town council managing the opposition wards of Aljunied GRC and Hougang single-seat ward to appoint a Big Four accounting firm to establish whether any past payments it made were improper, and ensure it complied with the laws.
The report is part of an ongoing audit of AHTC following significant lapses in governance flagged by its own auditors as well as by the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) in a special report in February last year, which was debated in Parliament.
Mr Shanmugam added:"Eventually, all of this will have to come full circle, once the auditors finish their work. There is more to come."
