SINGAPORE: Singaporean Defense Minister Ng En Hen called on Hong Kong to return nine armored personnel carriers seized by customs officials late last year, saying the equipment was sovereign property and could not legally be held.
Ng told parliament that Singapore had shipped troop carriers commercially for 30 years without incident, and that Singapore and Hong Kong had long enjoyed good and friendly relations.
“The Hong Kong authorities have responded that the investigation is ongoing and will take some time to complete,” Ng said. “Adherence to the rule of law has been the fundamental basis for peace and stability in the last half century in Asia.”
Singapore has been left seeking answers for almost six weeks, with no word from Hong Kong customs as to why the SAF Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles were seized en route from Taiwan on a commercial ship after being used in training exercises.
Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise Department said the case was under investigation. “The suspected controlled items are still kept at a storage place of customs in Tuen Mun,” it said on Monday in an e-mailed statement. “They have been stored indoors since December 6.”
