Efforts to Further Prevent Arms Exports to Myanmar

39 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of the reduction of arms exports from Singapore to Myanmar between April 2023 and March 2024 as reported by the UN special rapporteur in June 2024 (a) what are Singapore’s continuing efforts to further reduce and prevent arms exports to Myanmar since the second half of 2024; and (b) what are the challenges faced in our efforts to reduce or prevent such exports.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: I note Mr Dennis Tan's continued interest on allegations of arms exports from Singapore to Myanmar. As I had explained in this House in February and July 2023, also in response to Mr Tan's questions on both occasions, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Thomas Andrews reaffirmed in his report that "there are no indications that the Government of Singapore has approved, or is involved in, the shipment of arms and associated materials to the Myanmar military." [Please refer to "Checks on Singapore Companies to Prohibit Transfer to Myanmar of Items with Potential Military Application", Official Report, 14 February 2023, Vol 95, Issue 83, Oral Answers to Questions section; and "Review following UN Special Rapporteur's Report of Singapore-based Entities Providing Supplies to Myanmar Military", Official Report, 3 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 105, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]