De La Salle University – Manila

Singapore and ASEAN

A Written Report presented to

Faculty of the Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts

In partial fulfillment of
The Filipino and ASEAN

Submitted to:
Mr. Allen B. Surla

Submitted by:
Africa, Andrea Gabrielle G.
Alegre, Mary Christiene Courtney B.
Ang, Lance Matthew C.
Bancoro, Trinity Cyril M.
Barce, Laleina Amber C.
 Introduction

Singapore is an island that is located in Southeast Asia at the southern tip of the Malay
Peninsula – the country is considered as a city, state, and country. The country gained its
independence on August 9, 1965 – developing a parliamentary democratic system. Singapore is
known for its world-class structures – housing structures such as the Marina Bay Sands and
Changi Airport, among others; its great transportation system; progressive business environment;
its diversity, as a result of its role as an international port before its independence from colonial
rule – population a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian citizens, among others; and for
its vast lands – with over 50% of the country covered in green nature, earning it the title of a
“City in a Garden”.

Singaporean Flag

Singapore’s flag depicts 2 equal horizontal sections, with red at the top and white at the
bottom; the upper left corner of the flag shows a white crescent moon with 5 stars beside it. The
color red on the flag represents brotherhood and the equality of man, while the color white
represents everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon symbolizes a young nation and the 5
stars represent the 5 ideals of the nation – democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Singaporean Cuisine
Singaporean cuisine, as influenced by the country’s diverse population, is a mixture of
various dishes from different cultures mixed together. The country attributes its dishes to
influences by the Malay, Chinese, Indians and Indonesians, among others.

A popular Singaporean dish, which some call the country’s national dish, the chili crab is
a seafood dish made of stir-fried crab in tomato sauce that is added with chili. It can attribute its
origins to two sources – Cher Yam Tian and Hooi Kok Wai, a chef widely known as one of the
“heavenly kings” of Chinese cuisine in the country. The dish, invented by Singaporean locals
with Chinese influences, has even been claimed to have originated from Malaysia by Malaysian
tourism minister, Ng Yen Yen, though this was disputed by Singaporeans (Lim, n.d.).
 Another popular Singaporean dish that can attribute its creation to Chinese origins is the
hainanese chicken rice. The recipe and techniques required to make this dish has been developed
to be a mix of Hainanese and Cantonese cultures – the dish first started off as a creation in the
Hainan island where smaller Wengchang chickens were used, which was later off influenced by
Cantonese culture of using white chicken (Ghosh, 2017).

Laksa, another popular dish, is a spicy noodle soup with different toppings on the dish.
The dish is believed to originate from Peranakan culture – the dish is influenced by Chinese,
Malay and Indonesian cultures. The ingredients of the dish is a mixture of Chinese noodles and
Southeast Asian curries that varies from mild chinese-style to an extremely spicy variety (Asian
Inspirations, n.d.).

As exhibited by the aforementioned dishes, Singaporean cuisine contains diverse dishes

that are highly influenced by other cultures in the world. These influences can be attributed to the
significant period of colonial rule in the country wherein Singapore was treated as an
international port wherein different people from different countries were able to enter.

Singapore Landmarks
Singapore is known for many things. First, it is renowned as being a melting pot of
cultures and various races of people. Second, according to the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), Singapore ranked #1 as the richest country in terms of GDP per capita (IMF, 2021).
Third, it is a global hub for business and is a popular choice for multinational corporations and
fast-growing startups, not just within SEA, but for the whole world as stated by Singapore's
Economic Development Board (EDB, n.d.). With these three factors as well as many others in
tow, Singapore is bound to get a lot of visitors and along with said visitors are various landmarks
and must-see tourist destinations in the country.

The first of many is the iconic Merlion in Merlion Park–one of the star attractions when
going to Singapore. It’s a fountain statue that has the body of a mermaid with the head of a lion
and it is along the bay of Singapore. The body symbolizes Singapore's humble beginnings as a
fishing village when it was called Temasek, while the head represents the original name of
Singapore which is Singapura or Lion City in Malay.

Another destination is the Marina Bay Sands. It was one of the featured landmarks in the
movie, “Crazy Rich Asians”, which was a very important step in gaining more Southeast Asian
representation in popular movies. It is a famous destination in Singapore because the area
includes a luxury hotel, a mall that has a canal that runs through it, the ArtScience Museum, and
the Marina Sands Skypark Observation Deck. But one could argue that its most unique feature is
that it is the world’s most Instagrammed hotel.
 Another famous destination in Singapore and was also featured in the aforementioned
movie is the Bay East Garden which contains the Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest Dome, and the
world's tallest indoor waterfall. Just a short car ride away from this is the Esplanade – Theaters
on the Bay which is a performing arts center. This landmark is dubbed “The Durian”, by the
locals due to its architecture being heavily akin to the king of the fruits that are native to SEA.
During the ASEAN’s 50th anniversary last 2017, this building was lit up in the ASEAN colors to
celebrate the occasion (ASEAN, 2017). There are so many more notable destinations in
Singapore and the fact that these places are so famous is a huge benefit for Southeast Asian
nations as they represent what our region could offer in terms of economic growth and cultural
diversity.

Singapore and the ASEAN Community Pillars

The three ASEAN pillars were drafted in 2003 during the Bali Concord II or the
Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (ASEAN, 2003). The three pillars, namely political and
security cooperation, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural cooperation, were established for
the ASEAN community. In 2015, the ASEAN heads of state/government declared that the pillars
were to be further implemented during the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the
Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 (ASEAN, 2015). Since its establishment,
Singapore has undertaken various actions to adhere to the pillars.

Singapore adhering to the Political-Security Community

The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) exists to ensure that the citizens
included in the states of ASEAN live harmoniously and peacefully with one another as well as
the world (ASEAN, n.d.). Before the establishment of the three pillars, Singapore was involved
in the Cambodian conflict wherein they decided to side with Cambodia as opposed to Vietnam –
This was due to the fact that Singapore treated it as an “issue of principle” and was heavily
against the invasion of a smaller country by a larger neighboring country. The succeeding events,
following this situation, would lead to Vietnam pulling out of Cambodia and the country
regaining its independence. This conflict would shape much of the political-security community
of ASEAN. Singapore, similarly, had a pivotal role in the formation of the ASEAN regional
forum which tackles traditional and non-traditional security issues through the following stages:
Stage 1: Promotion of Confidence Building Measures; Stage 2: Development of Preventive
Diplomacy Mechanisms; and Stage 3: Development of Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
(Caballero-Anthony, 2015).

Singapore is deeply active in non-traditional security matters concerning transboundary

haze, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. In 2014, the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act
was passed which authorizes the regulators to instigate legal proceedings against companies or
individuals of any nationality who cause alarming and life-threatening air pollution by means of
burning peatland and forests in neighboring countries (Singapore Statutes Online, n.d.).

Additionally, the country also makes it a point to respond promptly and effectively to
disasters occurring within the ASEAN community. This was proved by the formation of the
Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre (RHCC) in September 2014 whose mission is to
facilitate military-to-military coordination in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
(HADR) and to support the military of a disaster-affected state in coordinating assistance
provided by foreign militaries (Changi RHCC, 2020).

Singapore adhering to the Economic Community

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) exists to strengthen members of the ASEAN
and develop its competitiveness through equitable economic development, diminishing poverty,
as well as correcting imbalances in socioeconomic status. Singapore, over the years, was able to
form strong connectivity in trade by means of ASEAN’s agreements relating to extensive trade
and investments. Through this, Singapore polished its businesses’ competitiveness by
consequently providing preferential access to heightening ASEAN markets (Ministry of Trade
and Industry Singapore, n.d.).

Singapore, like all other ASEAN countries, has its strengths in the economic community
and is able to provide certain capabilities and resources more so than its neighboring countries.
The country is a strong figure for the financial and legal needs of the ASEAN given its capacity
to provide investor capital along with a greatly established legal system that is commended for
its rule of law. The AEC even discerns Singapore to have the most honorable and transparent
legal system. Furthermore, the country is reported to rank top among 189 countries in The World
Bank’s Doing Business report on their strengths in enforcing contracts and protecting the rights
of minority investors. In another report presented by Transparency International, Singapore is
ranked as the least corrupt country in Asia and seventh globally in the Corruption Perceptions
Index (Jones Day, 2016).

Singapore adhering to the Socio-Cultural Community

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) exists to realize and nourish the full
potential of ASEAN citizens. This community aims to create and sustain communities that
respect and take pride in each country's identity, history, and culture where social and
environmental development is desired and worked on to be protected. Through the efforts of
building such a community, the ASEAN countries along with their citizens are called out to be
more knowledgeable and participative to further be capable of improving quality of life,
providing citizens access to opportunities, and of course, protecting the rights of each individual
(ASEAN, n.d.).
 "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" is the ASEAN motto that Singapore readily
adopts. The country fosters the creation of a resilient ASEAN community through various
programs that promote the knowledge of the other countries within the association. This is done
mostly through education such as the “Discovering Southeast Asia” component of the Social
Studies syllabus of Singapore Primary Schools which can even include heritage site visits, study
trips, and also overseas immersion programs. Singapore also doles out scholarships to students
from the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam. (Matthews & Pereira, 2020)

In the past year, Typhoon Odette caused widespread devastation to various regions in the
country and the Singapore government sent $60,000 US dollars through the Singapore Red Cross
(SRC) to aid in the relief operations. SRC said, “The funds raised by the SRC will go towards the
relief and recovery of affected communities, with a focus on emergency healthcare, first-aid
assistance, and distribution of hygiene kits, shelter tool kits, tarpaulins, hot meals, clothes, mats,
blankets, and surgical masks to evacuation centers”

Singapore and the ASEAN Way

The ASEAN way is centered on the mission of non-interference and consensus among
member countries – this ensures that they do not intervene in any internal issues occurring within
their respective countries and that any decision made by the organization is unanimous
(Ebbighausen, 2017). According to Singapore’s former minister of foreign affairs, Shunmugam
Jayakumar, the non-interference and consensus amongst ASEAN countries has been vital in
maintaining the peace between these countries – a reason why no military conflicts have
happened between any member countries since the organization’s inception (Nguyen, 2016).

Singapore on the Rohingya Crisis

The 2017 Rohingya Crisis is an issue of the perceived attacks of the Myanmar
government on Rohingya Muslims that lead to a mass exodus of over 700,000 Rohingya to
neighboring countries of Myanmar (Razali, 2019). It has been described by the United Nations as
an ‘ethnic cleansing’, however, the Myanmar military has denied this and claims that they are
fighting Rohingya militants, not civilians (BBC News, 2020).

In the report released by Razali (2019), Singapore has declared its intention of
non-interference with how Myanmar handles this crisis in their country. The country has even
made actions on arresting and deporting Myanmar nationals residing in Singapore that have been
suspected of supporting the Arakan Army, a terrorist group tagged by the Myanmar Government.
Singaporean officials have claimed that this action was motivated by the country’s desire to stay
out of domestic political issues within Myanmar (Aljazeera, 2019).
 The country, despite its declaration of nonintervention in domestic affairs, has stated that
it will provide assistance by donating humanitarian aid through Bangladesh, the country housing
Rohingya refugees (Razali, 2019). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore (2017) has stated
that over $270,000 of humanitarian aid was donated to the government of Bangladesh for the use
of Rohingya refugees.

Singapore on the Myanmar Coup

Also known as the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, the military conflict in Myanmar was
instigated when the National League for Democracy, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, a
democratic icon, won the recent elections, which moved the military to seize control and arrest
everyone affiliated with the party, including Suu Kyi (BBC, 2022). It triggered massive
mobilizations in protest against the coup that lead to nighttime raids; cases of potential torture
and sexual abuse inflicted on captured prisoners; and the censorship of local journalism and
media organizations (Dietz & Hammond, 2021).

True to its advocacy and stance for peace and stability, Singapore has been actively
condemning the violent military takeover in Myanmar that happened in February of 2021. Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan have already asserted their
stance using languages that explicitly state their opposition to the Myanmar military such as the
words ‘disastrous’ and ‘national shame’ (ASEAN, n.d.). Despite being known to be silent when
it comes to foreign policies, Singapore has expressed its deep disappointment when the ASEAN
five-point consensus, urging the Myanmar military to cooperate with the assistance of a Special
Envoy's visit to Myanmar for a constructive dialogue with all the stakeholders of the Maynmar’s
military conflict, failed to be implemented after a year of the coup (SPH Media Limited, Co.,
2022). Singapore has also been concerned with the widespread hunger and poverty caused by the
military’s displacement of civilians.

Singapore has, unexpectedly, broken its silence and condemned the use of lethal force
and military crackdowns in Myanmar. Vocal support has been constant since the outbreak of the
coup in ending the crisis happening in Myanmar. This is a widely different approach taken by
Singapore, as compared to their low profile stance on the Rohingya crisis. Some sources say that
the reason behind Singapore’s movement has a certain degree of possibility that it was
financially motivated. Han (2021), in his article for The News Lens, linked this notion to the fact
that Singapore is one of Myanmar’s wealthy foreign investors, so its financial institutions
struggled to heed the call of boycotts and sanctions against Myanmar’s military. In an article
written by Tien and Strangio (2022), Singapore is described as cautious in the demands of
western powers for sanctions on Myanmar, instead preferring to leave the decision up to the
United Nations or through a consensus among United Nations member states.
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