Singapore needs to protect its interests, should not be cowed by other countries: Dr Tony Tan

SINGAPORE — The Republic must not be cowed by bigger countries or even its closest allies, but must stand firm to protect its vital interests even if this causes bilateral relations to sour temporarily, said former President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Singapore’s domestic and foreign policies are inextricably linked and the Republic must continue to pursue an independent foreign policy approach, said Dr Tan at the annual S Rajaratnam lecture organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Academy on Tuesday (Nov 28).

Singapore’s foreign policy is based on one key principle — while it makes as many friends as it can, the country is not “subservient” to any external party.

Should it encounter differences with other countries, including bigger powers, Singapore will use “skillful diplomacy to strike a fine balance in our external relations”, he said.

It will try to find a mutually beneficial approach to resolve differences, but must protect its interests even under “heavy pressure”, he said.

“While it is important to carefully consider any position we take and make as many friends as possible, we should not seek to appease or ride on the bandwagon for fear of retaliation, especially when Singapore’s vital interests are at stake,” said Dr Tan to an audience of 800 people comprising students, academics and foreign diplomats at the Shangri-La hotel.

Diplomacy is not about having “friendly” relations at all costs, but about promoting friendly relations as a way to protect and advance Singapore’s interests, said Dr Tan, who stepped down as president in August.

“We don’t compromise our national interests in order to have good relations. The sequence matters,” he said. “That is not to say that we should underplay the importance of friendships in international relations.”

Although Singapore is often affected by external forces beyond its control and is unable to determine the trajectory of global events, this does not mean “we should simply accept our fate”, said Dr Tan. Instead, it is imperative the country remains nimble and adaptable to global trends.

Since its independence, Singapore’s sovereignty and national interests have been put to the test by both big and small countries. The dispute with Malaysia over Pedra Branca, for instance, dates back to 1979 and took more than 20 years to be brought before the International Court of Justice in July 2003. In May 2008, the court ruled that Pedra Branca was part of Singapore’s territory.

The matter was thrust back in the spotlight this year after Malaysia filed a second application on the basis that it had discovered new facts that it said would have resulted in a different conclusion. This prompted Singapore to file a fresh rebuttal.

“Each time, each test, we have stood firm. And because of this, there will always be downturns, even between the closest of friends,” said Dr Tan, who was recently appointed director and special adviser to the country’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.

“We should not shy away from standing up for our vital interests, even if things inevitably turn sour for a while. Nor should we hesitate to seek solutions through diplomacy, negotiations or third-party settlement of disputes,” he said.

“What is important is that we as a nation have the confidence to stand together and weather such occasional turbulence.”

As a small country, Singapore’s domestic and foreign policies are inextricably linked, he said.

“Foreign policy allows us to create opportunities for Singaporeans, while domestic policy prepares Singaporeans to seize these opportunities. Both go hand-in-hand to advance the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans.”