Singapore implements stricter arms control measures in response to UN findings on Myanmar weapon trading

In a report on Friday, Al Jazeera detailed Singapore’s forceful response to the United Nations’ scrutiny over arms sales through its territory to Myanmar. Following the 2023 findings of Thomas Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, the city-state has significantly tightened controls on its role as a conduit for arms materials to Myanmar’s military.

Speaking to the international publication, Andrews highlighted the swift and effective actions taken by Singapore, noting, “My subsequent report to the Human Rights Council found that exports of weapons materials from Singapore to Myanmar had dropped by 83 percent. This is a significant step forward and an example of how governments can make a difference for those who are in harm’s way in Myanmar.”

Despite the Singaporean Government’s firm denial of involvement, Andrews’s report, titled “The Billion Dollar Death Trade,” had earlier revealed substantial transactions totalling more than US$1 billion, with US$254 million worth of weapons materials transferred from Singapore-based companies to Myanmar from 2021 to 2022.

These companies were not specifically named in the report sections on Singapore, unlike those on China, Russia, and India.  The Special Rapporteur has decided not to list the names of Singaporean entities transferring arms to the Myanmar military in order to allow time for the Singapore Government and other UN Member States to take action.

In response, the spokesperson of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for Andrews’s efforts, stating, “We appreciate Mr Andrews’s efforts to providFe information to aid Singapore’s investigations into whether any offences were committed under Singapore law.”

Last July, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed the involvement of these entities in Parliament, noting an additional identification of 91 entities on top of an initial list of 47, all contributing to the military supply chain in Myanmar.

He further clarified that nine of these entities are no longer registered, thus unable to operate legally or conduct business in Singapore.

In September last year, two Singaporean individuals were fined a total of S$80,000 (approximately US$58,649) for their involvement in selling a sonar system that ultimately ended up with a survey centre operated by the Myanmar Navy.

Singapore’s decisive action has put significant pressure on Myanmar’s military, particularly during a time when they are struggling to suppress a coalition of ethnic minority and majority Bamar resistance forces.

The military’s woes are compounded by new conscription laws aimed at bolstering their ranks amidst battlefield losses.

In his follow-up report, Andrews mentioned, “There was no evidence that the Singaporean government had any knowledge of the transfers that were taking place,” indicating a significant oversight gap that Singapore has since moved to address.

Furthermore, the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar has lauded Singapore’s efforts.

NUG cabinet minister, Sasa, remarked, “Singapore’s actions have highlighted the power that ASEAN members possess to disrupt the Myanmar military junta’s acts of terrorism against its own people by cutting off their access to weapons, finance, and legitimacy.”

This news comes as the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar escalates, with over 2.5 million people displaced since the coup began in February 2021.

Singapore’s measures reflect a broader ASEAN divide over how to handle the crisis, with some nations advocating for engagement and others, like Singapore, taking a firmer stance against the military regime.