SINGAPORE: Singapore's Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Lim Thuan Kuan, presented his credentials to the grouping's Secretary-General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan on Monday.

Singapore is the first member state to appoint an ASEAN Permanent Representative after the establishment of the ASEAN Charter which came into force on December 15.

Based on the Charter, each ASEAN member state shall appoint a Permanent Representative with the rank of Ambassador, based in Jakarta.

The Permanent Representatives will collectively make up a committee whose tasks include supporting the work of the ASEAN Community Councils, as well as liaising with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Before taking up his current position, Ambassador Lim served as Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam.

Dr Surin said: "We are pleased to receive Ambassador Lim. I am certain that his experience in ASEAN affairs will contribute much to the ASEAN community-building effort currently underway. I hope that the rest of the member states will also appoint their Permanent Representatives to ASEAN very shortly." - CNA/vm