The Taliban’s recent takeover of Afghanistan following the US’ troop withdrawal, the formation of the AUKUS alliance between Australia, UK and the US, and the growing assertiveness of China and their use of “sharp power”. These international developments are taking place while Singapore and the world are still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.
For most Singaporeans, this is a world away compared to the daily grind of dealing with “stabilisation phase” social distancing measures, job insecurity and worries about contracting Covid-19.
However, these events and developments have a deeper and more extended impact on our lives than we realise — especially for younger Singaporeans whose future will be shaped by them.
While the onus is on individuals to keep abreast with such developments, the Government has a role in articulating Singapore’s core national interests and allowing Singaporeans to arrive at their own understanding of what these interests are.
I have filed a Parliamentary question for the sitting on 4 October 2021 to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government conducts regular assessments of public sentiments among Singaporeans in response to international developments affecting our country. I have also asked if the Government plans to conduct a sustained public education process to help Singaporeans, both young and old, to understand Singapore’s core national interests vis-a-vis these developments.
This is the full text of the PQ I filed:
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the growing complexity of international developments, including the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the creation of the Australia-UK-US alliance and the assertiveness of China, whether the Government (i) conducts regular assessments of public sentiment among Singaporeans in response to international developments and (ii) plans to conduct a sustained public education process to educate Singaporeans, both young and old, on Singapore’s core national interests.
I will speak more about public education and the role of educational institutions and NGOs during the debate on the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill (FICA), which will also take place on Monday.
