Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad at the Manama Dialogue 2025 on 2 Nov 2025 in Bahrain

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

Allow me to first extend my appreciation to IISS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, for organising this dialogue and giving me the pleasure of speaking here once again.

Southeast Asia, where I come from, and the Middle East may be geographically distant, but both regions share strategic similarities. Both sit astride the world’s most critical sea lanes and depend on open sea lines of communication for energy, food, and other goods. The Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Aden – these waterways are not just arteries, these are global lifelines. Any disruption in one of these areas will inevitably send reverberations across the world.

GLOBAL MARITIME SECURITY FACES GROWING SECURITY THREATS, AND AFFECTS US ALL

But worryingly, both regions are witnessing common challenges emerge in our evolving threat landscapes. In Southeast Asia, great power rivalry and maritime activity in the South China Sea and Taiwan Straits have increased the risk of miscalculation. Tensions are also present in this part of the world in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Both Southeast Asia and the Middle East are also grappling with maritime tensions and threats from less conventional sources. Drones and missile attacks have become a serious issue for shipping in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, instances of grey zone tactics, coercion, and illegal fishing are issues we have observed in the region. Globally, our dependence on digital technologies also means we are increasingly vulnerable to hybrid attacks such as disruptions to critical underwater infrastructure, or CUI. When just four submarine cables were cut in the Red Sea in 2024, 70% of all data traffic between Asia and Europe was reportedly compromised.

All of these challenges pose serious threats to global peace and prosperity, and to ensure that we can effectively address them, it is important for us to enhance multilateral coordination, develop maritime domain awareness, and build resilience against hybrid threats.

STATECRAFT IN A FLUX

Achieving progress in these areas will require countries to cooperate as a network of maritime states. Regional powers must combine diplomacy, deterrence, and development into a coherent strategy.

Allow me to share a few examples.

In Southeast Asia, we join hands with our neighbours. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand cooperate closely to combat piracy through the Malacca Straits Patrol. Our cooperative efforts are of global importance, given that one quarter of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Malacca Strait.

Joint exercises are helpful in building mutual understanding and confidence. Recently, Singapore hosted 17 countries for Exercise Pacific Reach. The exercise develops regional submarine escape and rescue capabilities. Such exercises not only build trust between the countries involved, but also help to enhance interoperability in times of need.

Singapore works with partners to address hybrid threats. Together with Brunei and Thailand, we co-sponsored a concept paper on CUI security on the defence track, which the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting just adopted two days ago. The paper outlines guiding principles to raise awareness and strengthen protection of CUI, so that ASEAN will be better positioned to keep pace with emerging maritime threats.

Singapore also plays our part as a responsible member of the international community. We have participated in counter-piracy efforts here in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, as a member of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces, headquartered here in Bahrain. We do this because we recognise our interest in maintaining peaceful waters, no matter which part of the world we are from.

DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION REMAIN KEY TO DRIVE PROGRESS

In Southeast Asia, we have learnt that no one power can guarantee maritime stability alone. Our region’s security depends on cooperation to ensure a thriving maritime nation.

Here in the Middle East, you have similar networks and efforts, which contribute to the overall security of global trade and shipping lanes that connect our regions.

As the examples have demonstrated, there are many avenues for countries big and small to cooperate on maritime security issues. But these avenues will only open if they are built on a foundation of trust.

This is why dialogues are valuable. Platforms like the Manama Dialogue and  Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore are critical in facilitating constructive discussions between countries – including those that have competing geostrategic interests.

CONCLUSION

As I conclude, let me circle back to where I began my remarks: Statecraft today is about balance - combining military presence with diplomacy, economic engagement, and sustainable development. I believe that inclusive blocs will be more stable and enduring, than exclusive blocs.

Countries may differ in alignment, but we can still cooperate to protect shared interests such as freedom of navigation, search-and-rescue, and disaster relief.

For small states like Singapore, this means using convening power to bring others together - building bridges, not buffers.

Singapore will continue to do its part, through capacity-building, joint exercises, and platforms that link our information systems across regions.

We stand ready to work with our international partners to strengthen these links - because maritime security, like the sea itself, knows no borders.

From Asia to the Middle East, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, our futures are literally tied by water. Our waters connect us. If we treat these waters as a shared trust, we can ensure that the next generation inherits not contested seas, but a thriving and prosperous maritime environment.

Thank you.

More Resources

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad attends the 21st Manama Dialogue in Bahrain