Singapore News Alternative: foreign relation

Showing posts with label foreign relation. Show all posts

Singapore Government Bans British Nationals From Adopting Children In Tit For Tat Move

Question: Why is the Singapore Government adamant in refusing to sign an international treaty that protects adopted children?

Bernama.com, 8 Jun 2014
Singapore has barred British nationals from adopting children here, reported local newspaper The Sunday Times.
The report said this is believed to be the first time citizens from any particular country are not allowed to adopt in Singapore.
The move is in response to Great Britain's decision in January to drop Singapore from a list of countries where it recognises adoptions automatically.
A British High Commission spokesman told the newspaper that Singapore was removed from the list as it has not signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international treaty designed to protect the adopted child's best interests.
Singapore has not signed the convention. Full story

Massive land reclamation project backed by Johor royalty irks Singapore government

MSN Malaysia News, 30 May 2014
A massive land reclamation and development project backed by the Johor royal household ‎is causing a wrinkle in the close Malaysia-Singapore ties, the Edge Review reported today.
Quoting sources in its Informer column, the paper reported that China’s Country Gardens Holding Co Ltd has secured rights from the Johor government to reclaim as much as 2,000 hectares of land on the Johor coast for a luxury residential project.
The multi-billion dollar project will extend the Johor coast around the so-called Second Link right up to the edges of the boundary separating Malaysia and Singapore, it said.
The Edge Review reported that the Malaysian side of the Johor-Singapore link is creating unease in the island state. Full story

Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam makes first official visit to Iran to broadren economic ties

Trend News Agency, 22 Feb 2014
Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam is to pay an official visit to Tehran on Sunday. The visit takes place at invitation from Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif.
During his stay in Iran, he is to confer with President Hassan Rouhani, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and other senior officials on issues of mutual interests as well as regional developments.
Meanwhile, A high ranking Singaporean delegation will accompany the foreign minister.
According to Iranian Embassy, this is the first ever visit of the Singaporeˈs foreign minister to Tehran. Full story

Singapore government demands Indonesia rename it's new warship

MSN Malaysia News, 18 Feb 2014
Singapore has asked Indonesia to rename a new warship that has been given the name of two Indonesian marines allegedly involved in a bombing incident in Singapore in 1965.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, replying to a question in Parliament, said naming the vessel “Usman Harun” 50 years after the bombing of MacDonald House would "reopen old wounds" and harm bilateral relations.
"The MacDonald House bomb blast killed three civilians and injured at least 33 more," he said. Full story

OPINION: Singaporeans wonder why current young leaders are stirring up a diplomatic row with Indonesia now? - Seah Chiang Nee

The Star Online, 15 Feb 2014
Singapore was then a member of Malaysia, which the late President Sukarno wanted to crush as a “neo-colonialist” creation.
But why act after 49 years?
The sudden and unexpected quarrel has come as a surprise to Singaporeans, the majority of whom suspect that there is an underlying cause.
I am not sure whether our government knows for sure whether Jakarta is displeased. If it does, it has kept silent.
And the Indonesians are not saying anything beyond the statement that they had merely wanted to name their frigate after “national heroes”.
Without an official explanation, Singaporeans are having a field time speculating about it. Full story

Singapore has a 3-point agenda in stirring up naming of Indonesia navy ship, says observer

Republika Online, 12 Feb 2014
"The Singaporean government has finalized three key points in its national agenda, which is in keeping with its stance against naming of the new Indonesian ship as KRI Usman-Harun," Guspiabri Sumowigeno, the director of Center for Indonesian National Policy Studies (Cinaps), stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He explained that the first point in the agenda was that Singapore, as a US ally, was keen to garner attention from the superpower with regard to getting more military support by sending a message that it is threatened by the Indonesian military's revival.
He further added that Singapore has been diligently looking for a loophole to increase its military capacity and capability by supporting the US global policy. It has also offered itself as a buffer country for safeguarding the US interests in the region.
To support the "China Containment" campaign to block the effect of China's revival as a world superpower, it also sent its forces to support the US-led occupation operations in Iraq in 2003-2008, which resulted in the US offering strong military support to the country, he explained.
"Singapore's military development far surpasses its objective needs. Through an agreement with the US since 1990, its Sembawang military base has also been used as a maintenance facility by the US military," he remarked. Full story

India sends senior diplomat to Singapore after learning Singaporean bus driver will not face any charges in Little India riot

Yahoo! News India, 12 Feb 2014
Senior Indian diplomat Anil Wadhwa is to travel to Singapore on Friday to discuss bilateral matters as well as the rioting that took place in December last year in the 'Little India' area.
The visit of Wadhwa, who is secretary, east in the ministry of external affairs, also comes as Singapore's Attorney General's office has said that a bus driver involved in the Dec 8 fatal accident of an Indian national, Sakthivel Kumaravelu, that sparked Singapore's worst riot in 40 years, will not face any legal action.
"We are in contact with the Singapore side to ensure that the facts of the case are fully investigated and due action is taken. Secretary (East) will be travelling to Singapore soon to discuss bilateral issues, including the incident of riots in Little India." Full story

After putting up public show of indignation over naming of Indonesian navy vessel, Singapore government allows Indonesian Air Force to perform at air show

Republika Online, 11 Feb 2014
The Indonesian Air Forces Jupiter Aerobatic team will perform at the Singapore Air Show on Tuesday, despite tension between the two countries regarding the naming of the Indonesian Navy's ship, KRI Usman Harun.
This was an announcement made by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro on Monday. "The Jupiter Aerobatic team is already in Singapore and is currently training for the Singapore Air Show."
According to him, the naming of the Indonesian Navy ship, KRI Usman Harun, was already final and had been through the requisite procedures. "It is the right of Indonesia," he remarked. Full story

Indonesian president asks Singapore government to calmly reflect and not over-react to naming of indonesian navy vessel

Facebook/Official38LIVE, 11 Feb 2014

Indonesian military snubs Singapore Airshow over ship naming row, but Singapore state-controlled media claimed they were "disinvited"

South China Morning Post, 10 Feb 2014
Senior Indonesian military leaders have decided not to attend the Singapore Airshow, Singapore's Ministry of Defence said yesterday, after the eruption of a diplomatic row between the two countries over the naming of a Indonesian naval ship.
Singapore's government has been angered by Jakarta's decision to name a new frigate after two Indonesian marines executed for a 1965 bombing in the city state that killed three people.
The commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, General Moeldoko, Army Chief of Staff General Budiman and Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff ACM Ida Bagus Putu Dunia along with Indonesia's deputy defence minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, have decided that they would not go to the show, the ministry said. Full story

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OPINION: Singapore Western Intelligence’s 6th Eye in Asia - Regional Foreign Policy Consequences

Dissident Voice, 7 Dec 2013
The largely Anglophile Singapore is an anomaly in South-East Asia. It has staunch connections with the US and Israel, and a network of varied corporate interests all around the world. Singapore is a small primarily non-Muslim city-state surrounded predominantly by much larger Muslim countries. Sovereignty disputes upon the South China Sea are ongoing, and unpredictable events like Sulu militants invading Lahad Datu in Sabah continue to occur. Singapore’s security is of prime importance to the nation.
The potency and effectiveness of Singapore’s intelligence services was seen in the 1990s with the successful recruitment of Australian intelligence officers to pass on sensitive information to Singaporean intelligence at the DSD (now Australian Signals Directorate) listening station at Cabarlah, near Toowoomba, Queensland. Full story

Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam refuses to deny or confirm spying allegations

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 29 Nov 2013
Singapore on Friday said it would not be drawn into confirming or denying allegations that it was part of a US-led electronic spying network in Asia.
Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam said at a forum that neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia, which summoned Singapore's envoys this week over reports that such a network exists, are aware that the city-state has no intention to harm relations.
"You cannot say, this is five percent true or 95 percent true, that we work with the Americans and Australians on this aspect of counter-terrorism but not this aspect," he said in comments carried by the Straits Times website. Full story

Tensions in South China Sea reaches dangerous level as US B-52 bombers challenge disputed China air zone

BBC News, 26 Nov 2013
The US has flown two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new Chinese air defence rules, officials say.
China set up its "air defence identification zone" on Saturday insisting that aircraft obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".
A Pentagon spokesman said the planes had followed "normal procedures".
The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the two nations. Full story

Related:
US is Encircling China with Fighter Jets and Stealth Bombers - The Diplomat

Malaysia government summons Singapore envoy Ong Keng Yong as tension over spy claims escalates

The Malay Mail Online, 26 Nov 2013
Singapore High Commissioner Ong Keng Yong will be called in today to clarify allegations that the island republic is aiding the United States in spying on Malaysia.
Describing Singapore as a “good friend and neighbour”, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman denounced the latest revelations by US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden implicating the island republic, saying that if they are proven to be true, it is a “serious matter that the government of Malaysia strongly rejects and abhors”.
“It cannot be over-emphasised that spying against a good friend and neighbour is unacceptable and goes against the true spirit of and commitment to good neighbourly relations,” Anifah said in a statement sent late last night. Full story

Singapore PM Lee vows not to "take sides" on Sri Lanka's alleged human rights abuses

Xinhua, 17 Nov 2013
Singapore vowed not to "take sides " on Sri Lanka's human rights issue, the official news portal reported Sunday.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that more time is needed to heal wound after a prolonged war ended.
"We are observers and don't take sides," said Lee.
Sri Lanka has been under intense scrutiny over alleged human rights abuses during the last phase of the three-decade conflict with the Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in 2009. Full story

China warns Singapore over FTA with Taiwan

The Economic Times, 7 Nov 2013
China sounded a note of caution to Singapore over its Free Trade Treaty (FTA) with Taiwan, saying it should abide by the "one China" policy.
The FTA, Taiwan's first such agreement with a Southeast Asian country, has raised concerns in China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory.
"Our stance on Taiwan's external exchange is clear and consistent. We do not have objections to foreign countries' non-governmental trade and cultural exchanges but do oppose any official ties," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news briefing here. Full story

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Manila a U.S. 'listening post' to spy on communication networks and phone calls in SEA - report

Rappler.com, 31 Oct 2013
The US embassy in Manila is one of Washington's "listening posts" in Asia, used to spy on communication networks and phone calls in the region, a report published Tuesday, October 29, said.
A top-secret map leaked by fugitive intelligence analyst Edward Snowden, published by German news magazine Der Spiegel on Tuesday, listed Manila as one of 90 surveillance facilities at embassies and consulates around the world.
Of the 90, at least 74 – including Manila – were listed as "staffed locations," while at least 14 others are unmanned. Two other facilities serve as technical support centers.
However, there are no such facilities in the US's closest allies Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, the Sydney Morning Herald noted. Full story

Myanmar's Suu Kyi looks to Singapore as model - minus the materialism

Reuters, 24 Sep 2013
SINGAPORE, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi cemented Singapore's role as a major economic partner and model for her country on a five-day trip to the island, taking home what she said were valuable lessons on education policy and anti-graft measures.
But her endorsement of the wealthy city-state came with a caveat - Myanmar could do without the materialistic and high-pressure society that has accompanied Singapore's decades-long transformation from tropical backwater to economic powerhouse.
"I want to learn a lot from the standards that Singapore has been able to achieve, but I wonder whether we don't want something more for our country," the Nobel Peace laureate told reporters on Monday evening as she prepared to return home. Full story

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Malaysia should have waged war on Singapore to keep Pulau Batu Puteh: Utusan Malaysia columnist

The Malay Mail Online, 16 Aug 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Malaysia should have waged war on Singapore to keep Pulau Batu Puteh instead of bringing the dispute to the International Court of Justice, Utusan Malaysia columnist Ridhuan Tee Abdullah wrote in an editorial today.
In a sharply-worded piece touching on criticisms by Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew (picture) in his book “One Man’s View of the World”, Tee said the republic was fortunate he was not the prime minister of Malaysia during the time.
"I certainly would not bring the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The only resolution to the dispute is war,” he wrote further.
"The world has witnessed the loss of Malay land to the ultra kiasu.
“Today, Malays are humiliated, but ‘we’ remain silent,” he added.
Full story

Related:
Utusan columnist says would have attacked Singapore over island - Malaysia Today

Malaysia must re-negotiate water deal with Singapore: Tun Mahathir

FZ.com, 25 Jul 2013
PETALING JAYA (July 25): The bilateral ties across the causeway is bound to turn sour with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad calling for the re-negotiation of the sensitive water agreement between Malaysia and Singapore.
Mahathir in his blog today said the country is being “short-changed” in the raw water deal, stressing the current rate of 3 sen per 1,000 gallon was “ridiculous.”
He pointed out that in the present agreement, Malaysia will only get RM30 from selling 1,000,000 gallons of raw water.
“Malaysia can buy 12% of the raw water treated by Singapore at 50 sen per 1,000 gallons i.e for 120,000 gallons, Malaysia has to pay RM60 for this. Full story

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