Committee of Supply 2023 debate, Day 2: Gerald Giam on engaging Singaporeans on foreign policy issues
Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) engage Singaporeans on foreign policy matters and explain Singapore’s core interests to citizens of all ages and education levels? Do Singapore’s missions engage overseas Singaporeans on foreign policy? How is the ministry countering narratives put out by foreign actors that attempt to influence Singaporeans’ views on policies that may go against the national interest? These questions were raised by MP Gerald Giam in Parliament on Monday (Feb 27). He said that of all the ministries, MFA’s work is “probably the most esoteric” to many Singaporeans, who may feel that foreign policy is too complicated or irrelevant to their daily lives, or too sensitive to have open discussions about. At the same time, it is critical that domestic consensus be achieved on Singapore’s national interests and foreign policy.
Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) engage Singaporeans on foreign policy matters and explain Singapore’s core interests to citizens of all ages and education levels? Do Singapore’s missions engage overseas Singaporeans on foreign policy? How is the ministry countering narratives put out by foreign actors that attempt to influence Singaporeans’ views on policies that may go against the national interest? These questions were raised by MP Gerald Giam in Parliament on Monday (Feb 27). He said that of all the ministries, MFA’s work is “probably the most esoteric” to many Singaporeans, who may feel that foreign policy is too complicated or irrelevant to their daily lives, or too sensitive to have open discussions about. At the same time, it is critical that domestic consensus be achieved on Singapore’s national interests and foreign policy.
Popular Shows
