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Introduction Political Security of Singapore Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state POLITICAL SECURITY COUNCIL Learning Outcomes Students should understand Singapore’s limitations as a small state and be aware of how it safeguards its position on the international stage by capitalising on its strengths. [Topic 1: Singapore’s role in ASEAN] Introduction Political security of Singapore The island state of Singapore is dwarfed by geographically larger countries on the international stage, yet our nation’s numerous diplomatic ties with other countries grant us considerable influence. This has helped cement our place in the global community. Increasingly, though, Singapore’s political security is not as certain as before, given the unpredictability of relations between China and the USA, and Singapore’s close ties with both countries. At the same time, Singapore has added responsibilities as the current ASEAN Chair, with aims to strengthen and sustain ASEAN’s relations internationally. There is also a need to balance our role as a leader in the region with protecting national interests. Hence, maintaining our political security and deciding how this should be undertaken are issues that continue to be of great concern. Singapore’s foreign policy As outlined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, there are two main guiding principles governing Singapore’s foreign policy:1 firstly, protecting our nation’s 1 Cheong, Danson. “Vivian Balakrishnan outlines core principles guiding Singapore's foreign policy.” The Straits Times, 17 July 2017, www.straitstimes.com/singapore/vivian-outlines-core- principles-guiding-spores-foreign-policy. 1 Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state sovereignty and independence, and, secondly, transcending geographical borders to maximise Singapore’s opportunities. These key concepts are at the core of any foreign policy discussion, as we strive to protect the nation’s interests while balancing regional or even international interests. Other than these two main arcs, Singapore’s foreign policy also follows the following 5 key principles2: 1. Singapore needs to be a successful and vibrant economy 2. Singapore cannot become a vassal state 3. Singapore must aim to be a friend to all, an enemy of none 4. Singapore must promote a global world governed by the rule of law and international norms 5. Singapore must be a credible and consistent power Singapore has always strictly enforced its own laws, even in the face of foreign pressure. This policy allows its citizens to take pride in the country’s sovereignty, but, to foreign countries, it could possibly indicate Singapore’s unwillingness to compromise for the sake of cooperation. This was made starkly clear when Singapore followed through with the 2 Hermesauto. “Full speech: Five core principles of Singapore's foreign policy.” The Straits Times, 17 July 2017, www.straitstimes.com/singapore/five-core-principles-of-singapores- foreign-policy. 2 Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state hanging of the two Indonesia bombers that bombed the MacDonald House during the period of Konfrontasi with Indonesia in 19683, despite the fact that Singapore had only recently gained independence and was vulnerable to the volatile external political climate. Also, in 1994, Singapore enforced the sentence of caning on US teenager Michael Fay for the crime of vandalism, despite pressure from the US4. Singapore was also a key player in the negotiations for the Law of the Sea Treaty (UNCLOS) in 19825, cementing its belief for the need for laws to govern appropriate regional and international behaviour that balances national and overall interests. In addition, Singapore participated actively in the negotiations for the Paris Agreement6 on Climate Change. This was driven by the need to protect Singapore’s national interests given that, as a low-lying city, Singapore is most susceptible to the dangers of rising sea levels due to global warming. Singapore does not take sides7 in international conflicts, but adopts a principle-based and independent stand in its foreign policy driven by its own interests. Since 1989, Singapore 3 Ong, Sor Fern. “A primer on the MacDonald House bombing that shook Singapore in 1965.” The Straits Times, 20 Jan. 2016, www.straitstimes.com/singapore/a-primer-on-the-macdonald- house-bombing-that-shook-singapore-in-1965-0. 4 Adst. “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child: Michael Fay's Caning in Singapore.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Aug. 2015, www.huffingtonpost.com/adst/spare-the-rod-spoil- the-c_b_8012770.html. 5 N.A. “Singapore becomes venue in Asia to settle disputes relating to law of the sea.” The Straits Times, 19 Jan. 2016, www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-becomes-venue-in-asia- to-settle-disputes-relating-to-law-of-the-sea. 6 “Singapore Reaffirms Commitment to Paris Climate Agreement after US Pullout.” Channel NewsAsia, 2 June 2017, www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-reaffirms-commitment-to-paris- climate-agreement-after-8905862. 7 Beng, Kor Kian. “Singapore Does Not Take Sides in Foreign Policy: Chan Chun Sing.” The Straits Times, 6 July 2016, www.straitstimes.com/asia/spore-does-not-take-sides-in-foreign-policy. 3 Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state has taken part in 16 peacekeeper and observer missions for the UN, providing medical support and military advisors for national reconciliation, in countries such as Myanmar8. More recently, in 2015, Singapore was chosen as a neutral venue for a meeting between China and Taiwan, keeping good faith with China by supporting the “One China” principle while maintaining close relations with Taiwan9. This balancing act has been noted to be deftly and carefully done. Furthermore, Singapore also helped establish an informal grouping of small states known as the Forum of Small States in 1992, to protect countries with similar interests10. The Forum of Small States has grown to 107 countries, more than half the membership of the UN. Singapore also contributed productively to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)11. Singapore also established the Global Governance Group (3G) to empower smaller states and to better connect the G20 to the UN12. Singapore has gained observer status in the Arctic Council since May 201313 after participating actively in international maritime affairs. This was a successful end to the quest to gain representation in the 8 N.A. “International Peace Keeping Efforts.” International Peace Keeping Efforts, n.d. www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/international_issues/intl_peace_keeping_efforts.html. 9 Pei , Shing Huei. “No surprises - Singapore's neutrality makes it venue of choice for landmark meeting between mainland China and Taiwan's top leaders.” South China Morning Post, 5 Nov. 2015, www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1875802/no-surprises-singapores- neutrality-makes-it-venue. 10Small States, www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/international_issues/small_states.html. 11 Wai, Albert. “Singapore quietly helping developing nations, says envoy.” TODAYonline, 27 Nov. 2015, www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-quietly-helping-developing-nations-says- envoy. 12 N.A. “Singapore and other Global Governance Group nations welcome G20's commitment to inclusive growth.” The Straits Times, 4 Aug. 2017, www.straitstimes.com/world/singapore-and- other-global-governance-group-nations-welcome-g20s-commitment-to-inclusive. 13 Lee, Min Kok. “6 things to know about the Arctic Circle Singapore Forum.” The Straits Times, 19 Jan. 2016, www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/6-things-to-know-about-the-arctic- circle-singapore-forum. 4 Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state affairs of the arctic trade route despite being a small state, given that it directly affects Singapore’s financial interests. It can be seen that Singapore has carefully calibrated its foreign policy over the years to ensure that it is not disadvantaged in spite of being a small state. Singapore’s role in ASEAN Singapore was one of the main founders of ASEAN, alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand14. The precursor agency to the ASEAN, called the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), was formed in 31 July 1961 only consisting of Philippines, Federation of Malaya, and Thailand. However, after the dissolution of the Federation of 14 N.A. “ASEAN.” UN, May 2017, www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/international_organisation_initiatives/un.html. 5 Political Security study guide SMC 2018: Singapore’s role as a small state Malaya once Singapore gained independence in 1967, the official first five members of ASEAN were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The signing of the Bangkok Declaration on 8 August 1967, by the foreign ministers of each of these countries at the time, officially signified the establishment of ASEAN15. ASEAN initially started out as a trade agreement, with the purpose of accelerating economic growth in the region through fostering better regional ties between powerful trade partners. The importance of ASEAN to Singapore hinged on the fact that it is a small island country, with a land area measuring a meagre 719.1 km². This means that it is dwarfed in comparison with its neighbours such as Malaysia and Indonesia which have land areas of 330,803 km² and 1.905 million km² respectively. Furthermore, while Indonesia and Malaysia have rich natural resources, such as tin, rubber, palm oil, natural gas and crude oil, Singapore severely lacks such natural resources. To compensate for the lack of raw materials to export, Singapore capitalised on its available human capital by directing its manufacturing sector to produce lucrative final products and by providing a vital service of oil refinery. Singapore also took advantage of its geopolitical location in Southeast Asia as the most convenient stop for trade and ships on the India-China trade route that passed through Southeast Asia. However, creating a port free of taxes was not sufficient enough to stimulate trade, which is why Singapore saw it vital to build lasting economic and political alliances with its powerful neighbours.
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