Dun Talk Cock Lah!

Monday, January 9, 2017

[Defending the Lion City] The SAF Terrex ICVs are Singapore’s sovereign assets

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).

Video: Gov.SG - Minister of Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen’s reply to Parliamentary questions on SAF Terrex

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.

Article Source: TODAY

Read more here:

Cyberpioneer: 3 things you need to know about Defence Minis ter’s updates on the Terrex detainment (9 Jan 2017)

[Defending the Lion City] Opinions on the Terrex issue

"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%?"

Read more here: Power Comes from the Barrel of the Gun - By I Tahan You Very Long Already

"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."

Read more here: The Terrex incident: We shall not be movedddd….., we from Singapore, we shall not be moved By The Rise of the Strawberry Nation

Pic: V Boyee Alyn Facebook post

"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."

Read more here: Staying friends with all powers works best for small nations By William Choong For The Straits Times

Pic: The Reservist FB page

"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.”

Read more here: Terrex APC seizure: What do we think? How do we react? By Daniel Yap of The Middle Ground

Vid: By FiveStarsAndAMoon FB page, The battle over 9 Terrexes is still dragging on into 2017.

Who will be the biggest loser from this debacle?

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).

Friday, January 6, 2017

[Defending the Lion City] Terrex issue a low point in 2016, but issue mustn't be allowed to dominate

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.”

- CNA/xk

Source: Channel News Asia (30 Dec 2016)

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FB Post by FLOP

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”.

Reference:
"How should we react to China holding our armoured vehicles"

"China: Seized underwater drone 'tip of iceberg' when it comes to US surveillance"

"Why does Malaysia charge Singapore cars so much more?"

"Indonesia and SIA: Bullying in progress?"

============================

DTCL: The world is not a friendly place. If Singapore is weak, we will be bullied and taken advantage of.

No one will be spared, nothing will be swept under the carpet

Pic: Singapore Matters FB page

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."

Pic: Singapore Matters

Source:

The Straits Times - (6 Jan 2017) No one will be spared, nothing will be swept under the carpet: K. Shanmugam on probe of Ang Mo Kio Town Council ex-GM

ST Video of interview (You gotta to see Min Shanmugan slam-dunk WP here).

Related Story: Ang Mo Kio Town Council general manager under CPIB probe

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

[Defending the Lion City] As usual, Alex Tan Zhixiang can only lie and lie

As usual, Alex Tan Zhixiang, "Chief Editor" of the one-man operation slime site, States Times Review, cannot help but to spin yet another lie.

Alex Tan claims that China/HK had already agreed to "release" the Terrex ICVs on 28 Nov 2016.

But a quick search on the web for any official statements on the "release" from China or HK just draws a blank.

Pic: FLOP

As of 13 Dec 2016, there is no such news found on the South China Morning Post. Even the Communist Party's hawkish mouthpiece/tabloid, the Global Times, has no article that says the ICVs have been released.

In fact, on 27 Nov, just a day before Alex Tan's claim, Global Times published an editorial that said that the ICVs "should be melted down". Does this sound to you like our ICVs have been released?

So it is very clear that Alex Tan has yet again spinned another lie to draw internet traffic to his trash-site so that he can continue stir irrational fears and to make money from advertising.

Pic: Shut Down TRS (STR FB post made on 6 Dec 2016)

However, what is disturbing here is NOT the news that some extreme elements of China's communist govt wants to destroy Singapore's property WITHOUT any clear reasons or legal basis, apart from trying to make a obtuse political statement.

What Singaporeans should truly be concerned about here, are the intentions of our "so-called" opposition supporters, politician-wannabes and "alternative media" sites like States Times Review.

FB Comment posted by Alex Tan / STR on 12 Dec 2016

It is one thing to be opposing the government. That is a given and is rightly expected in any democratic system.

However, it is totally different situation when you are "opposing" based on twisted lies and half-truths to try ~~and gain support for your cause~~ to profit from lies you spin.

It is even more damning when you start to side with foreign interests to backstab and betray your country simply for the sake of 'opposing' the government.

In the case of the Terrex ICVs, it is very obvious that even based on their own laws, China / HK has no legal basis to detain our vehicles.

If China / HK can openly justify the detention accordingly to their own laws, they would have already done so by now. But they haven't.

Singapore has not changed its stance on the One China Principle since establishing diplomatic ties in 1990. Nor has it attempted to hide its relations with Taiwan over defence matters.

In 1990, the then Chinese Premier Li Peng said Beijing would not be "too disturbed" by the Republic's continued use of military training facilities in Taiwan after the establishment of Sino-Singapore ties.

Mr Li had said at a news conference: "We sympathise with Singapore's position and understand its need to build a strong defence force. On this matter, suitable arrangements will be made. (Reference)

So it is very clear to any observer that China is simply taking advantage of the ICV situation to pressure Singapore to bow to China's wishes.

So should Singapore be intimated by China's bullying tactics?

Alex Tan Zhixiang and his followers demand that Singapore "apologize" to China.

Our question to Alex Tan Zhixiang, is "Apologise for ~~fuc~~ what?"

As the facts show thus far, Singapore is simply standing her ground based on principles and protecting her interests.

And these interests includes not appearing to be a weak vassal state of any foreign power - China or otherwise.

Alex Tan Zhixiang claims to be a "patriot".

But would a real patriot make up fake stories for his own profit, and side with foreign interests to attack their own country?

As one great and loyal Opposition MP had once said:

"...there are certain people there who would like to see Singapore being run down and attacked Singapore.

The issue here is not just about people like Chee Soon Juan who come and go in any event but about the survival of Singapore.

Singapore's survival is at stake because there is an attack on the basic institution of Singapore and on the system of Singapore.

And it is the duty of loyal Opposition to defend Singapore."

Mr Chiam See Tong

3 Nov 1995, Parliament (Column: 280)

Read more here:

MINDEF News Release: (6 Dec 2016) - Update on Detention of SAF Terrex ICVs. "... have not been provided formal reasons as yet.."

South China Morning Post: News coverage of Singapore's Terrex ICVs

Channel NewsAsia: (6 Dec 2016) 2 weeks on, no formal reasons given for detention of SAF vehicles in HK: MINDEF (6 Dec 2016)

Nikkei Asian Review: (5Dec 2016) China pressures Singapore with seizure of military hardware

Channel NewsAsia: (1Dec 2016) Formal reasons for detaining armoured vehicles not yet given: MINDEF

Financial Times: (25 Nov 2016) Mystery over seized Singapore army vehicles in Hong Kong

South China Morning Post: (24 Nov 2016) Hong Kong caught in diplomatic bind as customs seizeshipment of military vehicles from Taiwan

Channel NewsAsia: (24 Nov 2016) 9 armoured vehicles bound for Singapore 'delayed' at Hong Kong customs

Mr Chiam See Tong's quote, 3 Nov 1995, Parliament, Column 280

Parliament of Singapore: Official Reports - Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)

YouTube video of speech

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

[Defending the Lion City] Still unable to give reasons for detaining our Terrexes

Really, What the Fu*k China/HK?

After two weeks of "investigations", you still can't tell us up front why you are detaining our Terrexes?

Don't get us involved in your domestic politics.

Return our Terrexes!

Read more here:

Channel NewsAsia: (6 Dec 2016) 2 weeks on, no formal reasons given for detention of SAF vehicles in HK: MINDEF

Channel NewsAsia: (1Dec 2016) Formal reasons for detaining armoured vehicles not yet given: MINDEF

Channel NewsAsia: (24 Nov 2016) 9 armoured vehicles bound for Singapore 'delayed' at Hong Kong customs

Friday, December 2, 2016

[Defending the Lion City] No matter how the Wind howls, the Mountain cannot bow to it.

“No matter how the Wind howls, the Mountain cannot bow to it.”

As of 2 Dec 2016, China / Hong Kong have yet to provide any satisfactory reason to Singapore for detaining 9 Terrex ICVs on 23 Nov 2016.

This is despite of APL (the shipping firm contracted to ship the Terrex ICVs) meeting with the HK Customs authorities for 7 hours last Tue, 29 Nov, and at a second meeting on 1 Dec 2016.

I wonder if China realizes that the longer this fiasco drags out without any proper explanation, it actually makes China look really bad in the eyes of the international community.

If this whole thing was about having proper papers / permits / whatever-else-documentation-you-need/want, this would have been easily resolved before it ever made the news.

So really, IMO there are only two possible explanations.

One – The HK Customs are really, really badly ineffective / inefficient / incompetent.

But that’s very unlikely – given that (1) this is NOT the first time that Singapore’s military equipment has transit through its ports, and previous transits have had no problems. And (2) HK is also one of the world’s busiest ports. You don’t become one of the world’s busiest ports by being ineffective / inefficient / incompetent.

That means the only reasonable explanation is that China (or maybe some faction of the communist leadership) really wants to show Singapore/Taiwan/Hong Kong who’s the boss.

They want to let Singapore and the rest of the world know that they are damn buay song (unhappy) over Singapore's stand of respecting and upholding the primacy of international law (vis a vis the Hague Tribunal's South China Sea Ruling) when it comes to settling disputes.

And/or maybe some of these communist ~~'s balls~~ comrades are itching to stir up some communistic fervor in hopes of scoring some brownie points with the Communist President.

But whatever China’s rational/irrational reasons are, I do wonder if China realizes how big a ~~dick~~ moron this incident makes them to be before the international community?

If this incident is over the fact that Singapore continues to have direct defence relations with Taiwan, then it is all the more puzzling.

Singapore has not changed its stance on the One China Principle since establishing diplomatic ties in 1990. Nor has it attempted to hide its relations with Taiwan over defence matters.

In 1990, the then Chinese Premier Li Peng said Beijing would not be "too disturbed" by the Republic's continued use of military training facilities in Taiwan after the establishment of Sino-Singapore ties.Mr Li had said at a news conference: "We sympathise with Singapore's position and understand its need to build a strong defence force. On this matter, suitable arrangements will be made. (Reference)

If China continues to drag this fiasco on without providing a valid reason, legal or otherwise, for the detention of our Terrex ICVs, then China will only be hurting themselves in the long run.

The Chinese President had said at the UN General Assembly in 2015, “The big, strong and rich should not bully the small, weak and poor. Big countries should treat small countries as equals, and take a right approach to justice and interests by putting justice before interests.” (Reference)

China seems to have conveniently forgotten what it had said before the world.

The incident will show that China can, and will take arbitrary action when it pleases or deems it profitable to do so without regard to international law and justice.

It will show China as a shallow-minded nation who does not value sincere friendships and loyalties, and is only interested in fair-weather friends who are willing to acquiesce to China in exchange for benefits.

It will prove that China will be a vindictive power, who believes that might makes right, and therefore all other countries must bow in deference to China’s whims and fancies.

President Xi’s often repeated assurances to the world that China will be a peaceful nation and will not pose as a threat will start to ring hollow.

After all, if China can callously coerce/pressure Singapore, whose relationship China labels as “special and unique”, over simple issues that do not agree with China, then what assurances do other countries have that they will be dealing with China in good faith?

No one would trust or believe the word of China any more.

As for Singapore, it cannot, will not, bow to external pressure and intimidation when it comes to issues that pertain to Singapore’s sovereignty and interests. Neither will it allow itself to be made use of as a pawn in someone else's geopolitical game.

As Ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikanputs it: