No 'formal reasons' given for vehicle seizure: Mindef

No formal reasons for the seizure of nine Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) armoured vehicles in Hong Kong were given, despite a seven-hour meeting between container shipping firm APL and the Chinese territory’s custom officials.

Meanwhile, security guards have been stationed on a 24-hour watch at the site housing the vehicles.

In a statement issued on Thursday (1 December), a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) spokesman said that APL representatives met officials from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department from 2pm to 9pm on Tuesday. While no formal reasons were given for the detention of the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV), customs officials hope to complete their investigations soon.

“We have advised APL to give its full cooperation to the Hong Kong authorities in order to expedite the recovery of the SAF’s assets. Another meeting has been scheduled between APL and the Hong Kong Customs today,” said the spokesman

APL had been contracted to transport the Terrex ICVs and associated equipment from Taiwan to Singapore. The vehicles were confiscated during a routine inspection at Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung Terminal, during a stopover.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has said that Mindef will begin proceedings to recover the troop carriers after the reasons for the seizure are established.

On Monday, Beijing lodged an official diplomatic complaint with Singapore over its long-standing military ties with Taiwan. Singapore has sent its troops to Taiwan for training since the 1970s.