THE choice of Singapore to host a historical summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 12 – if it happens – should not be cause for envy in other South-East Asian capitals. On the contrary, because the city-state holds the chair of Asean this year, its fellow members should be fully supportive. Singapore’s role, however passive it is in relation to the negotiations, will do much to show the world how central the region is to global affairs.
According to President Trump, the White House deemed the city-state neutral and amply secure to host the event. Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha interpreted the announcement somewhat differently. Rather than congratulating Singapore’s premier, he told reporters the city-state was chosen over Thailand because it is peaceful and people there respect the law. It was hardly the message he should have been conveying.
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