Hong Kong to return detained Terrex vehicles

SINGAPORE — Hong Kong will return the nine Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) armoured Terrex vehicles it seized nearly two months ago, but its Customs officials suggested it might pursue criminal prosecution following investigations into a possible breach of its shipping rules.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement yesterday that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying responded to a letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, informing him that investigations had been completed, and the Terrex vehicles and other equipment would be returned to Singapore.

“This is a positive outcome. Prime Minister Lee has replied to Chief Executive Leung to thank him for Hong Kong’s cooperation in resolving this matter,” the MFA added.

The vehicles will be shipped back by APL, the commercial carrier contracted by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) to ship the Terrex vehicles to Singapore when their seizure took place.  

Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise Roy Tang said in a statement that the Hong Kong Customs seized the vehicles on Nov 23 last year because “there was a suspected breach of the Hong Kong law”. 

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to complying with international standards of strategic trade control, and Hong Kong implements a robust control system to achieve it,” he said. “Import, export and transshipment/transit of strategic commodities in breach of licensing requirement are criminal offences punishable under the Hong Kong law.”

He also said that Hong Kong Customs has completed its investigation of the suspected breach, and the investigation might lead to criminal prosecution. The authority did not elaborate on the possible target for prosecution, nor did it respond to queries on whether APL would face legal action. 

Asked when the vehicles would be returned to Singapore and about the possibility of criminal prosecution, an APL spokesperson said it was working with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to ship the vehicles and associated equipment back to Singapore. 

The nine vehicles were being shipped from Taiwan after a military training exercise, when Hong Kong customs impounded the shipment. Meetings held in the initial weeks of the seizure between APL and Hong Kong Customs yielded no formal reasons for the move.

Mindef said previously that Hong Kong customs officials had queried “if the necessary permits and declarations by APL were in order” and in the process detained the Terrex vehicles. It also said APL was required to adhere to all regulations, including declaring the equipment it transports in the ship’s cargo manifest and obtaining the permits needed.

In a Facebook post on Dec 30, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen called the seizure a “low point” for Singapore from a “defence perspective”, and parliamentarians also raised the issue when the House sat earlier this month. Then, Dr Ng revealed that Mr Lee had written to Mr Leung to request the immediate return of the vehicles. He also said that the SAF has reviewed its shipping procedures comprehensively, following the seizure. 

Yesterday, Cabinet ministers and MPs greeted the conclusion of the saga with relief. Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan Jin said on Facebook: “Glad to hear that our #Terrex will be coming home. Diplomacy works in many different ways. It is understandable why megaphone chest beating approaches can appear to indicate strength. We see that being used by some and I guess there can be a time and place for that, perhaps. But firm, quiet efforts, often behind the scenes, have served us well over the years.”