Defence & foreign affairs

• Singapore contributes US$90,000 annually to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and has also provided over S$1 million in bilateral aid for Rohingya refugees.
• The AHA Centre has used these funds to distribute relief items and conduct needs assessments in Rakhine State, with Singapore sending officers to support these efforts.
• Singapore’s aid is part of ASEAN’s broader efforts to improve conditions in Rakhine State to facilitate repatriation, and the country stands ready to provide further assistance as needed.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired whether SAF overflights adhere to existing quiet hours from 10:30 pm to 7:00 am and if they will respect extended quiet hours from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am recommended by the Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise.
• Minister Ng Eng Hen stated that less than 1% of RSAF flights occur between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am, with some being emergency responses such as search and rescue or addressing aerial threats.
• He provided an example where F-16s were scrambled at 6:00 am to escort a Singapore Airlines flight following a bomb threat, highlighting the operational necessity of such flights during quiet hours.

• Leon Perera questioned why Singapore, a high-income country, is considering claiming from the COP27 Loss and Damage Fund, suggesting instead that Singapore should donate as a developed country, similar to others with comparable GDP.
• Minister Grace Fu reiterated that Singapore's position remains open and undecided, as international negotiations on the fund's terms are ongoing, and she emphasized that Singapore is not classified as a developed country under the Paris Agreement.
• Perera clarified his stance, advocating for Singapore's contribution to be benchmarked against other developed countries of similar economic size, and for fund disbursement to be based on developing countries' biodiversity challenges and resource needs.
• The Minister challenged whether Perera's proposal aligns with the Paris Agreement, which defines developed and developing countries distinctly, noting that Singapore does not fall into the developed category.
• The debate concluded without a final decision, with the Minister noting Singapore would consider both domestic and international perspectives in future UN climate negotiations.

• No classified Singapore information was leaked; only two publicly available pieces of information about the Singapore Armed Forces were found in the leaked documents, and these are not sensitive.
• The Government employs a multi-layered security approach, including air-gapped systems for highly classified data, strict vetting and re-vetting of personnel, continuous cyber monitoring, and formal agreements with external partners to protect shared information.
• In the event of a security breach, established processes are followed to investigate, assess damage, and implement mitigating measures to prevent recurrence, with ongoing efforts to balance security and operational efficiency.

• The Prime Minister outlined Singapore’s stable relations with Indonesia and Malaysia, while warning of grave global challenges: the Ukraine war, US-China tensions, and the erosion of the multilateral trading system, urging unity and a go-getter spirit to adapt and thrive.
• MPs raised concerns about ageing, retirement adequacy, cost of living, and housing affordability, calling for enhanced CPF flexibility, better elderly support, and reviewing policies to ensure singles and vulnerable groups are not left behind.
• The debate highlighted the need for stronger social cohesion, better support for persons with disabilities, and inclusive policies for single parents and seniors, including proposals for co-living arrangements and improved estate planning.
• Speakers emphasized the importance of Singapore’s global reputation, principled foreign policy, and collective responsibility to navigate geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties while maintaining national unity.
• The Forward Singapore agenda was highlighted as a platform to refresh the social compact, empower citizens, and ensure sustainable opportunities for all, including through mentoring, volunteering, and community partnerships.

• The National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) coordinates a whole-of-government approach to address medium-term risks including terrorism, geopolitical contestation, climate change, and digitalisation.
• NSCS will work with agencies to mitigate disruptions to essential supplies, study interdependencies in critical infrastructure, and develop plans to counter extreme weather and cascading failures.
• The Secretariat emphasizes strengthening social resilience and cohesion in Singapore’s diverse society by developing strategies to combat foreign influence and misinformation spread through digital platforms.
• NSCS supports capability development across agencies with resources and funding, including for national security research, to tackle multi-faceted and interconnected threats.
• Singapore must remain vigilant and proactive, with NSCS maintaining close inter-ministerial collaboration to protect the nation and its citizens against traditional and emerging risks.

• The Minister outlined Singapore's foreign policy priorities, emphasizing the protection of sovereignty amid global crises, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US-China rivalry, while engaging with neighbours like Malaysia on joint projects and Indonesia on future-oriented cooperation.
• Singapore seeks to reinforce ASEAN-centric regional architecture and multilateralism, championing rules-based international systems and contributing to global agreements, while also expanding economic partnerships through initiatives like Digital Economy Agreements and engagement with the Forum of Small States.
• The Ministry will enhance consular services for travelling Singaporeans and address risks of foreign interference by promoting national unity and public understanding of foreign policy, leveraging Singapore's strengths in stability and trust to navigate an increasingly complex global environment.

• The Minister highlighted a more volatile global security landscape and announced new military assets including F-35B fighters, Invincible-class submarines, and a Digital and Intelligence Service to counter emerging cyber and information threats.
• The SAF will enhance training infrastructure like SAFTI City and overseas facilities while ensuring servicemen’s safety and improving the National Service experience through policy reviews and technological upgrades.
• Singapore will strengthen multilateral and bilateral defence relations, including through ASEAN and partnerships with countries like Australia and the US, to uphold regional stability and international norms.
• The Ministry will expand Total Defence initiatives by engaging communities and unveiling a new NS Gallery to foster public participation in national security.

• The BBNJ Treaty is a historic UN agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, addressing regulatory gaps and promoting equitable benefit-sharing and capacity-building for developing countries.
• Singapore played a key role, with Ambassador Rena Lee leading negotiations, and the Treaty offers benefits such as enhanced access to marine scientific data and samples for Singaporean research institutions and maritime companies.
• Challenges remain in securing global ratification and implementation due to unequal national capacities and the need for domestic policies, while Singapore will support early ratification, share expertise, and encourage sustainable practices among citizens and businesses.

• Member of Parliament He Ting Ru queried the number and proportion of women in senior leadership and diplomatic roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• She asked for specific figures for positions such as Permanent Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Ambassador-at-large, and Head of Mission.
• She also requested the proportion of women among foreign service officers and total ministry staff.
• Minister Vivian Balakrishnan responded that women make up about half of the ministry's staff but only a quarter of senior appointments.
• The response indicates a significant gender gap in leadership roles despite balanced representation in the overall workforce.

• The Minister reported that half of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officers are women, with the proportion at superscale grades increasing from 15% in 2010 to 29% in 2022.
• There is no significant difference in attrition rates between men and women in the Ministry, though overseas postings can be disruptive for officers with spouses and young children, particularly women who bear a disproportionate caregiving burden.
• The Ministry regularly reviews human resource policies, including terms for overseas postings, to better support career aspirations and family obligations, and expects more women to take on senior roles as the Ministry seeks to recruit and nurture all available talent.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the government's stance on a recent proposal to exclude Myanmar from ASEAN as the second anniversary of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus approaches.
• Vivian Balakrishnan responded that Myanmar continues to be a member of ASEAN.
• The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about Myanmar's compliance with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.
• The exchange reflected Singapore's position on maintaining ASEAN unity while addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

• Mark Chay asked if the Ministry has identified sociological factors like broken homes common to teens detained under the Internal Security Act and what proactive steps are being taken against radicalisation within this group.
• The Minister of State for Home Affairs responded that no common sociological factors were observed, but highlighted youths’ exposure to online extremist content and their adolescent developmental vulnerabilities as key factors.
• The Internal Security Department collaborates with other agencies and community partners on upstream outreach, including nearly 70 events in 2022 reaching over 2,300 participants such as students, educators, and counsellors.

• Leon Perera questioned whether Singapore would collaborate with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance to aid Rohingya refugees after the UN reduced food support.
• Vivian Balakrishnan stated Singapore has contributed over S$1 million in bilateral aid and supported ASEAN efforts to facilitate safe and dignified repatriation of refugees.
• Singapore is prepared to send further aid and support future needs assessments to target assistance more effectively once repatriation begins.

• The RSAF has completed a trial using blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel for F-16 jets, which reduced carbon emissions by approximately 27% without causing engine performance issues or defects.
• The blended fuel costs three times more than conventional Jet Propellant-8 fuel, making it too expensive for current adoption.
• Due to the high cost, the RSAF will not adopt the blended fuel for its aircraft at this time.
• The RSAF will monitor market developments and reconsider the fuel if prices drop to a cost-effective level.
• There are currently no plans to expand the use of the blended fuel to all F-16 jets or other aircraft until costs become more manageable.

• The debate focused on Singapore's foreign policy amid rising US-China rivalry, with speakers highlighting the risks of economic decoupling, military tensions over Taiwan, and the need for principled neutrality to avoid taking sides.
• Parliament discussed Singapore's relations with neighbours like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, noting progress on bilateral agreements and projects such as the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, while acknowledging occasional disputes requiring constructive management.
• ASEAN's role was examined, including challenges in implementing consensus decisions—particularly regarding Myanmar's crisis—and efforts to strengthen regional integration through digital and green economy initiatives.
• Consular assistance for Singaporeans abroad was reviewed, with MFA noting increased support during the pandemic and ongoing efforts to enhance travel safety awareness and emergency response capabilities.
• Singapore's engagement with other global partners, including India, Latin America, the Middle East, and multilateral forums, was affirmed as key to advancing national interests and supporting international rules-based order.

• The debate focused on enhancing National Service (NS) experience and operational readiness, with MINDEF announcing streamlined administrative processes such as automated Make-Up Pay claims, increased base NS pay for reservists, and relaxed exit permit rules for NSmen traveling overseas.
• MPs raised concerns about training infrastructure and safety, prompting updates on the SAFTI City urban training facility, expanded overseas training areas in Australia, and the implementation of functional assessments to deploy more NSmen effectively while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
• Discussions on Total Defence highlighted the importance of community resilience, with MINDEF sharing initiatives like the Total Defence Sandbox to crowdsource ideas, partnerships for civic preparedness exercises, and refreshed museums to educate future generations on national defence.

• The Singapore Global Network Funding Programme disbursed about $570,000 between August 2020 and December 2022, supporting nearly 300 events and reaching around 25,000 participants in over 20 countries, with about two-thirds of applications approved.
• The programme’s main objective is to broaden and deepen Singapore’s overseas network and keep Singaporeans abroad connected to home, rather than primarily to encourage their return, though support is offered for those considering a return.
• The SGN works closely with Singapore’s missions abroad and other agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to engage overseas Singaporeans on domestic and foreign policy matters.

• Singapore has stated that ASEAN is not currently considering any new membership applications, even though Papua New Guinea has been a Special Observer since 1976.
• Singapore and Papua New Guinea maintain warm bilateral relations, collaborating on issues like climate change and recently signing a Memorandum of Understanding on carbon credits.
• Singapore supports Papua New Guinea’s development through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, with nearly 800 Papua New Guinean officials participating to date.
• Both countries engage in multilateral forums including the UN, APEC, and the Pacific Islands Forum, where Singapore is a new Dialogue Partner.

The Minister for Defence outlined that Singapore faces a changed global landscape due to post-pandemic shifts, the Ukraine war, and US-China tensions, which threaten free trade and supply chains vital to Singapore's economy. He noted that many countries, including those in Asia, are increasing military spending, with Singapore's defense budget projected to rise by 5.6% to about $18 billion next year, mainly due to inflation, deferred projects, and digital capabilities. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is modernizing with advanced platforms like F-35 jets, submarines, and unmanned systems, while emphasizing the importance of civilian resilience and training infrastructure like SAFTI City to prepare for future threats.