Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asserts Strict Compliance with International Obligations
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) clarified on Wednesday (Jan 18) that the country does not authorise the transfer of arms or items with potential military application to Myanmar. This statement comes in response to allegations made in a report by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), which suggested Singapore as a key transit point for materials supporting Myanmar’s military production.
Firm Denial of Allegations
MFA stressed that such transfers are strictly prohibited due to the significant risk these materials could be used to harm unarmed civilians. The ministry noted that many claims in the SAC-M report relate to economic activities preceding Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021.
Singapore’s Commitment to Arms Control
Singapore has a stringent export control regime aligned with international commitments and non-proliferation agreements. MFA highlighted the nation’s support for a UN General Assembly resolution in June 2021 to halt arms flows into Myanmar and affirmed its compliance with all UN sanctions.
Additionally, Singapore’s submissions to the UN Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA) demonstrate no arms transfers to Myanmar.
Companies and Allegations
The SAC-M report accused Singapore-based firms of brokering deals and supplying materials to Myanmar’s Directorate of Defence Industries (DDI) or associated civilian front companies. It also claimed weapons manufactured by Chartered Industries of Singapore, now known as ST Kinetics, were linked to Myanmar.
In response, ST Kinetics’ parent company, ST Engineering, firmly denied any current dealings with Myanmar’s DDI, stating it adheres to all applicable laws and UN obligations.
Myanmar’s Ongoing Crisis
Since the February 2021 military coup, Myanmar has experienced severe internal conflict, with over 2,000 fatalities reported in crackdowns on dissent. The SAC-M report named other countries, including the United States, China, and Russia, as contributors to Myanmar’s military production.
Singapore’s Position
MFA reiterated that Singapore takes violations of its laws seriously and will act against any contraventions. The ministry is currently reviewing the SAC-M report in detail to address its claims comprehensively.
This response underscores Singapore’s adherence to international arms control protocols and its commitment to preventing violence in Myanmar.
