Defence & foreign affairs

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about whether Total Defence exercises have simulated a complete communications blackout and inquired about contingency messaging methods if all digital networks fail. Chan Chun Sing explained that this year's Exercise SG Ready simulated a partial disruption to raise awareness and avoid significant impacts on daily life. He highlighted that multiple communication channels with redundancies are crucial to minimize the risk of a total communications blackout. The exercise included testing contingency channels and using public warning systems to disseminate information through television, radio, and community nodes, but there are no plans to provide battery-powered FM radios to every household. Continuous reviews and improvements of emergency preparedness exercises are planned for future scenarios.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Home Affairs about reports of Singaporeans serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the government's stance on this issue. The Minister, K Shanmugam, clarified that there is currently no substantiated evidence that Singaporeans have served in the IDF and reaffirmed that participation in foreign armed conflicts is against Singaporean laws. The government has mechanisms to investigate and address cases of unauthorized military involvement, including potential prosecution and deprivation of citizenship for dual citizens. The Minister also stated that efforts have been made to verify these reports with Israeli authorities, although responses may be difficult to obtain due to differing national laws on dual citizenship.

Valerie Lee asked about the principles guiding Singapore's defense expenditure and the frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of defense investments. Chan Chun Sing outlined key principles including prioritizing operational needs, considering life cycle costs, integrating systems, maintaining consistency in spending, building resilience, adopting a "best solution" mindset, and emphasizing operational readiness. He stressed that defense decisions are made to ensure effective resource utilization to address current and emerging threats while avoiding distractions from non-operational considerations.

Fadli Fawzi requested data on the percentage of National Servicemen (NSmen) passing the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) over the last decade, including distinctions such as Pass, Pass with Incentive, Silver, and Gold, categorized by age group. Chan Chun Sing stated that the passing rates for NSmen have remained stable and consistent across age groups. Approximately 35% of NSmen achieve Gold or Silver Awards, around 35% achieve Pass with Incentive, and roughly 15% achieve a Pass, with these percentages remaining stable since 2017.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the percentage of madrasah students eligible for National Service who have not received Enlistment Notices since 2020, and the distribution of those who enlisted among the SAF, SCDF, and SPF. Chan Chun Sing explained that applications for deferment due to religious studies are assessed individually by MINDEF. Since 2020, an average of 30 madrasah students have been enlisted each year, serving across various Uniformed Services based on operational needs.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the feasibility of establishing rare earth processing capabilities in Singapore, focusing on their importance to aerospace and defense supply chains. Gan Kim Yong explained that Singapore primarily imports products containing rare earths rather than raw materials, and there are no immediate concerns from producers regarding supply. The government is taking a multi-pronged approach to supply chain resilience, involving international partnerships and encouraging firms to diversify sourcing. Any rare earth-related projects would need to comply with existing environmental and safety regulations, particularly concerning radioactive waste management.

Yip Hon Weng proposed reducing the budget for the Ministry of Defence, referencing historical insights from Dr. Goh Keng Swee on the importance of national security. The debate highlighted concerns about the evolving global security landscape, calling for updates on Singapore's defence strategy and efforts to enhance readiness amidst new technologies and threats. Multiple MPs emphasized the significance of community engagement and Total Defence in fostering national resilience, as well as the need for strategic partnerships in a changing geopolitical climate. The Minister for Defence responded, affirming a commitment to developing the Singapore Armed Forces' capabilities while balancing civilian support for National Service and community involvement in national security efforts.

The debate highlighted the challenges Singapore faces in a rapidly changing global order characterized by increasing major power competition and diminishing multilateralism. Key issues discussed included the need to uphold a rules-based international system to protect the sovereignty and interests of small states like Singapore. Members raised concerns about Singapore's strategy in navigating relations with both the US and China while ensuring domestic unity and resilience against foreign disinformation. The importance of strengthening ASEAN cohesion and engaging with emerging markets was emphasized as essential for regional stability and economic growth. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to global dialogue and cooperation, while also emphasizing the necessity of a principled and pragmatic foreign policy that prioritizes national interests.

He Ting Ru raised questions regarding gender representation within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically asking for statistics on female officers and the career stage with the most pronounced gender divergence. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that approximately half of MFA employees are women, with women holding about a quarter of senior positions. The Ministry acknowledges the disruptive nature of overseas postings for officers with families and has implemented policies to support work-life balance, including considerations for personal circumstances. Selection processes prioritize merit, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace for all officers.

Fadli Fawzi asked about Singaporeans seeking consular assistance following detention by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2024 and 2025. Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance in such cases. There were a total of eight cases involving Singaporeans detained by U.S. authorities in the past two years.

Christopher de Souza raised concerns regarding the fake bomb threat incident at Paya Lebar Air Base and asked about the Ministry's strategies for maintaining security and readiness among personnel. Chan Chun Sing referred to a previous Parliamentary response regarding threats to national security and indicated that further details could be found in that report. The focus is on enhancing security measures against potential threats and ensuring preparedness among personnel.

Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs about Singapore's stance on recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that Singapore continues to recognize the Federal Republic of Somalia and that there has been no change in policy regarding this issue.

He Ting Ru asked whether the SAF would consider annually publishing its carbon emissions to enhance transparency regarding its climate transition plans, with some data redacted for security. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Defence's carbon emissions are already included in the annual GreenGov.SG report, published by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment since 2023, which is available on their website.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the existence of nationality-based restrictions or quotas for Long-Term Visit Pass applications for foreign spouses, along with approval and rejection rates by nationality over the past five years. K Shanmugam responded that several factors influence the approval of these applications, including marriage length, children from the marriage, financial support capacity, and any adverse records. Detailed criteria and nationality-based approval rates are not published to protect international relations and prevent potential exploitation of the system.

Dr. Neo Kok Beng asked the Deputy Prime Minister about Singapore's plans to leverage the upcoming Artemis II mission and the related budget considerations, as well as the outreach activities since signing the Artemis Accords. Gan Kim Yong responded that the Artemis Accords promote safe and sustainable space use, and although Singapore signed the Accords, it is not participating in the Artemis II mission. Singapore has formed bilateral agreements with several countries' space agencies to enhance research, policy discussion, and commercial interests in space, and has hosted events like the Singapore Space Summit 2026 to foster international collaboration.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Minister for Defence about the number of security threats against national security sites in the past year, the resources spent on investigations, the number of hoaxes, and their primary motives. Chan Chun Sing affirmed the Singapore Armed Forces' commitment to security with multi-layered processes for deterrence, detection, and response to threats, including patrols and surveillance systems. He emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to potential threats and detailed response measures for credible risks, such as evacuations and bomb sweeps. The SAF collaborated with the Singapore Police Force during a recent bomb hoax incident at Paya Lebar Air Base, which is under ongoing investigation.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about safeguards for security-sensitive information in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) conducted under the High Seas Treaty, the harmonization of EIA protocols across agencies, and the potential appointment of a centralized national body for compliance oversight. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that agencies are currently reviewing Singapore's regulatory frameworks for activities affecting the high seas and deep seabed. He emphasized that Singapore's existing EIA framework ensures transparency while preserving confidentiality when necessary. Additionally, he assured that agencies will coordinate efforts to reduce regulatory duplication in overseeing EIAs.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Foreign Minister for Singapore's assessment of the legitimacy of Myanmar's 2026 general election and its alignment with ASEAN's current stance on non-recognition. Vivian Balakrishnan emphasized that meaningful political progress in Myanmar hinges on ending hostilities and fostering inclusive dialogue, which are currently lacking. He affirmed that the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus serves as the framework for addressing Myanmar's situation and that Singapore will support ASEAN Chair Philippines in efforts for a Myanmar-owned resolution consistent with the consensus.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat requested data on the enlistment of Full-time National Servicemen over the past decade, specifically for the SAF, SPF, and SCDF, and the number serving their second year each year. Chan Chun Sing responded that enlistment numbers vary annually and should be compared over longer periods. He noted that over 95% of enlistees complete their two-year term, with most exceptions due to medical reasons.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin questioned how geopolitical tensions, climate change, and export restrictions impact the Global Partnerships pillar of Singapore Food Story 2.0. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that these factors have led to increased fragmentation in food supply chains, highlighting the importance of international cooperation for food trade resilience. Examples of such partnerships include memorandum agreements signed with Vietnam and Thailand to enhance rice trade and a joint feasibility study with Brunei to develop an Agri-Tech Food Zone.