Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns factual corrections issued by Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How regarding his previous parliamentary replies on submarine cable resilience. Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How amended the estimated annual worldwide submarine cable disruptions caused by fishing and anchoring from 100 to 200 incidents to 150 to 200 incidents. He reaffirmed that Singapore's international connectivity remains resilient due to the diversity and volume of its overseas connections. Additionally, he corrected a reference regarding when a fuller reply on regional cooperation had been delivered, changing it from January to February. He noted ongoing collaboration through the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience and the IMDA-chaired ASEAN Working Group of Submarine Cables to strengthen cable protection and information sharing.
Transcript
The following statements were made in replies given by the Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How) for Question No 12 during Question Time at the Sitting on 10 September 2026:
(a) The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How): Globally, most submarine cable disruptions result from accidental damage caused by fishing and anchoring activities. Industry data indicates about 100 to 200 such incidents occurring worldwide each year. Singapore's international connectivity has nevertheless remained resilient due to the diversity and volume of our connections to other countries. [Please refer to "Surveillance and Monitoring of Mechanisms Installed under "Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges"", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
(b) The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How): Thirdly, we are working with like-minded countries, for example, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), IMDA chairs the ASEAN Working Group of Submarine Cables, and is a member of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. Both platforms seek to strengthen cooperation on submarine cable protection, resilience and repair, as well as promote information sharing and exchange of best practices. We had a fuller reply in January this year on our cooperation with neighbouring countries. [Please refer to "Surveillance and Monitoring of Mechanisms Installed under "Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges"", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Written statement by Mr Tan Kiat How circulated with the leave of the Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5).
I wish to make the following factual correction to my replies made during the Parliament Sitting of 10 September 2026. My replies should read as follows:
(a) The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How): Globally, most submarine cable disruptions result from accidental damage caused by fishing and anchoring activities. Industry data indicates about 150 to 200 such incidents occurring worldwide each year. Singapore's international connectivity has nevertheless remained resilient due to the diversity and volume of our connections to other countries.
(b) The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How): Thirdly, we are working with like-minded countries, for example, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), IMDA chairs the ASEAN Working Group of Submarine Cables, and is a member of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. Both platforms seek to strengthen cooperation on submarine cable protection, resilience and repair, as well as promote information sharing and exchange of best practices. We had a fuller reply in February this year on our cooperation with neighbouring countries.