Despite the blockade of the Singapore route, the UN reports ongoing weapon shipments from Russia, China, and India to Myanmar. Singapore’s response to UN pressure includes a crackdown on arms sales to Myanmar, significantly impacting the military generals who seized power over three years ago.
According to Thomas Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on Myanmar’s human rights situation, Singapore swiftly reacted to his 2023 report, which identified Singapore-based entities as major suppliers of weapons materials to the Myanmar military. Subsequent reports showed an 83 percent decrease in weapon material exports from Singapore to Myanmar, showcasing the potential impact of government actions on humanitarian crises.
Singapore’s measures have increased challenges for Myanmar’s army chief and his forces, already facing significant setbacks in quelling opposition and battling resistance forces. In a desperate move, the generals have enforced conscription laws to bolster their ranks.
Andrews’ report, “The Billion Dollar Death Trade,” disclosed over $1 billion in arms transfers to Myanmar’s ruling generals, with 138 Singapore-based firms implicated in transferring $254 million in weapon materials to the State Administration Council (SAC) from 2021 to 2022. Although not disclosing company names, unlike sections on China, Russia, and India, the report shed light on Singapore’s involvement in the arms trade.
In response, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for Andrews’ efforts, acknowledging assistance in investigations into potential offenses under Singaporean law. The government reiterated its principled stance against the Myanmar military’s use of lethal force on civilians and emphasized efforts to curb arms flow into Myanmar.