More cooperation needed in uncertain times: Dr Ng

"As Asia rises, our shared interests grow and we must step up collective efforts to maintain peace and stability in this region."

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said his during his plenary speech at the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue on 4 Jun.

Threats arising from terrorism and hot-button issues such as North Korea's nuclear ambitions dominated the Dialogue organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies from 2 to 4 Jun this year.

On the threat of terrorism

In his speech, Dr Ng called terrorism the biggest security concern in Southeast Asia and the world. He noted that there are at least 31 known terror groups in the region, which are using existing criminal networks that traffic humans and weapons to advance their goals.

"The terrain (in our region) porous borders and dense jungles provides easy access and safe havens for terrorist training camps. If these groups further entrench themselves, more attacks will occur in ASEAN."

To fight the scourge of terror, Dr Ng said that the key laid in good intelligence. "Singapore has stepped up our information-sharing and intelligence cooperation with other countries," he said.

He also welcomed Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines' planned joint patrols in the Sulu Sea, which is a hotbed for sea piracy.

He said: "Singapore has offered the assistance of our Information Fusion Centre in Changi Naval Base to the Sulu Sea Patrols to combat maritime terrorism and kidnappings."

Noting the on-going situation in Marawi and Mindanao in the Philippines at the conclusion of the Dialogue, Dr Ng said that Singapore's position on terrorism remained the same.

Singapore would continue to contribute to counter-terrorism initiatives globally to help prevent attacks on local soil. "If we don't disrupt this (terrorist activities), sooner or later, Singaporeans will be at risk whether they are here or abroad."

He added: "So we stand ready to assist in the Sulu Sea patrols and other counter-terror initiatives when asked by others (to do so)."

On North Korea's nuclear ambitions

Citing the nuclear tests held in January and September last year, Dr Ng said that North Korea's nuclear programme could disrupt regional stability and prosperity. Since the start of this year, North Korea has also conducted a series missile launches.

"The international community has urged North Korea to refrain from further provocations and hopes that it will integrate itself into the region to share in our peace and prosperity.

"We also hope the major players on the Korean Peninsula can resume dialogue to prevent the deterioration of conditions."

Initiatives to boost regional security

To combat these threats and provide the stability in which trade can flourish, Dr Ng said that states must work in concert to find ways to collaborate and, in the process, deepen mutual trust and understanding.

He said that existing regional groupings such as ASEAN, which Singapore will chair next year, would prove useful in facing challenges together. Singapore will also chair the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus by extension.

Dr Ng outlined three initiatives that Singapore would push for to strengthen defence ties and reduce tensions in the region in 2018. They are:

1. Inaugurating a China-ASEAN maritime exercise to promote collaboration and deepen cooperation;

2. Expanding the Code of Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) to all ADMM-Plus countries; and

3. Establishing a set of guidelines for air encounters between military aircraft for ASEAN nations.

In addition, Singapore and Vietnam have jointly proposed to hold the ADMM-Plus meeting annually, instead of every other year. "(This is so) that we can address the growing security challenges affecting our region more effectively and in a more timely manner," said Dr Ng.

Commenting on the role of the United States in regional security, Dr Ng said: "US presence here has been benign and beneficial, I think many countries will agree. (On the question of) whether it will continue we hope so.

"But that does not mean that it's an exclusive belief. We believe that other rising powers like China like India, can play the same beneficial role and that is why we welcome Chinese ships to use our Changi Naval Base, as well as Japanese ships, as well as ships from India."

This year's Shangri-La Dialogue was attended by 22 ministerial-level delegates and 12 Chiefs of Defence Force, as well as senior defence officials and academics from 39 countries.