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Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore's dispute resolution ecosystem must evolve to stay relevant: Murali
Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport, speaking at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference on May 22. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN SINGAPORE – Hubs for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) must evolve to remain relevant to businesses, to deliver certainty and rule of law amid the volatile global landscape. In a speech on May 22 to about 200 delegates at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference, Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport, said Singapore aims to navigate the complex and dynamic global environment in three ways – upholding the rule of law, innovation and creating partnerships. On the rule of law, Mr Murali said Singapore is a strong proponent of multilateralism, noting that the Republic had signed and ratified a number of key international conventions, including the New York Convention, the Hague Choice of Court Convention, and the Singapore Convention on Mediation. He said these instruments enhance the enforceability of arbitral awards, court judgments, and mediated settlement agreements across borders. Mr Murali highlighted the most recent addition - the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which currently has 18 parties and 57 signatories, including many progressive countries from ASEAN and Asia. 'We hope that more countries will sign and ratify the Convention, allowing mediation to become a truly effective and trusted means for resolving cross-border disputes – complementing arbitration as a key pillar of international dispute resolution,' he said. Speaking at the conference, jointly organised by the Law Society of Singapore and LawAsia (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific), held at the Pan Pacific Singapore, Mr Murali said Singapore must consistently innovate, improve, and create better ways to meet global needs. He noted changes were made to introduce a framework for fee agreements, to align the ADR landscape in Singapore with practices and developments on the international front. Singapore also embraced technology, with the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) offering the use of the Mediation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistant. The tool allows users to quickly make sense of large volumes of information, including generating a chronology of events, outlining the roles of individuals, providing a table of common positions and differences between parties, and summarising the documents and data provided by parties Mr Murali said because of the international nature of the disputes, Singapore recognises that it cannot operate in isolation. At the government-to-government level, he noted that the Ministry of Law has signed memorandum of understanding with counterparts around the world. ADR institutions have also collaborated with foreign ADR institutions, trade bodies, bar associations, hearing centres and law schools, to exchange knowledge and best practices. Mr Murali said ADR institutions in Singapore have an international Board, Court and panel from both common law and civil law jurisdictions. 'Just as Singapore is integrated into the global trading system, our ADR ecosystem must also be globally connected. 'To this end, we have liberalised our dispute resolution regime,' he added, noting that parties can appoint counsel, arbitrators and mediators of any nationality. In his speech, Mr Murali said he is optimistic that globalisation is here to stay, though in a different form, with new ties forged between like-minded jurisdictions. He said he was especially confident about the future of Asia, noting that three of the top five largest economies in the world are in Asia – China, Japan and India. 'ASEAN, as a collective bloc, is around the same size as India. This region is dynamic and full of promise. 'The Asia-Pacific is home to over 60 per cent of the world's youth aged 15 to 24, representing not only a significant source of talent, but also a growing base of consumers. 'With an expanding middle class and increasing urbanisation, we are witnessing a surge in infrastructure development and economic activity. 'And where business thrives, so too does demand for legal and dispute resolution services. There is room for all of us to benefit from this growth,' he added. Legal experts speaking to The Straits Times at the sideline of the event said new trends are emerging in the ADR environment. One of the delegates at the conference, Mr See Chern Yang, director of dispute resolution at Drew & Napier, told The Straits Times: 'We are starting to see more commercial disputes, especially now... cross border, commercial disputes between two parties of different countries getting through the mediation system. 'We are also starting to see a trend of what we call pre-commencement mediation, which means even before the case is found in the court, before litigation commences, parties with their lawyers collectively decide, 'let's mediate'.' Mr See Chern Yang, director of dispute resolution at Drew & Napier, said that they are starting to see more commercial disputes, especially now. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Parties from around the world have chosen Singapore as the dispute resolution forum , even when the dispute has no direct connection with Singapore. In the latest Queen Mary University of London and White & Case's International Arbitration Survey, Singapore continues to rank amongst the top four most preferred seats of arbitration across all regions, including Africa and Latin America. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre has received cases from parties from 110 jurisdictions. Mr Shyam Divan, president of LawAsia, said ADR can bring cost-savings and be more efficient to feuding parties. In international trade disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, parties may find themselves having a problem which needs to be solved quickly. Mr Divan told ST: 'So in situations like that, I think ADR, without having to go through the court system, is much more efficient – either through the arbitration or the mediation route – in trying to have a solution which is acceptable to two sides.' He added that he sees mediated settlements gaining popularity. Mr Shyam Divan, president of LawAsia, said ADR can bring cost-savings and be more efficient to feuding parties. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Mr Murali, who will be appointed Senior Minister of State for both portfolios from May 23 , told ST about his new role as 'being a team player in the team captained by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong'. He said: 'The goal is simple but difficult – to win the match to secure our country's future at local, national and international levels.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: Murali warns against populism, polarisation taking root in S'pore politics
Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai speaking at the PAP rally at the Jurong East Stadium on April 28. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - The dysfunctional political systems seen in some bigger and more advanced countries must never take root in Singapore, Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai said on April 28. He said he heard a commentator in a podcast attributing such dysfunctional systems to three reasons - populism, polarisation and post-truth. Speaking at the PAP rally at the Jurong East Stadium, he cited an example of how one opposition MP had highlighted the plight of local businesses and how they are suffering from high costs during the Budget debate in February. Another MP from the same party said workers' wages are too low and should be higher, he added, without naming either MP or their party. 'Now, if both messages were said by the same person, the audience will be confused. If the cost is too high, how can wages be too low?' said Mr Murali, a PAP candidate in the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. 'It can, if you are a populist.' One statement will sound good to small and medium enterprise bosses, while the other would appeal to workers, he said. 'These are not hard truths. These are half-truths, and they create a house of cards at the end of the day,' added Mr Murali, who has been the MP for the Bukit Batok ward since 2016. The SMC was absorbed into the new GRC following the revision of the electoral boundaries in 2025. A 'more nuanced speech', which would be difficult, would be needed if one 'really wants to make a difference', he said. This would require acknowledging that not all businesses are struggling, and not all workers are underpaid. 'The right thing to do' would be to identify the businesses and workers who are struggling, and take steps to resolve their issues, he said. Mr Murali added: 'What would be irresponsible is to turn workers against businesses. That is polarisation.' The 57-year-old also spoke about the 'dramatically changed' world order, brought on by the trade war between the US and China, and how this may affect jobs and livelihoods. For Singapore to survive, its political leaders must work hard on the ground on national affairs and in the international arena, he added. The 'highest standards of behaviour', as well as values like honesty, integrity and character are non-negotiable for politicians, Mr Murali said. Responsibility is also important, he stressed. 'In life, things can go wrong. When they go wrong, politicians should not duck. They should accept responsibility, square with Singaporeans and make the system stronger.' He recounted how he 'took political responsibility' for a fire in a rental flat in Bukit Batok in 2019. A woman died, and it was discovered that the water riser had been accidentally switched off. The riser was managed by a town council contractor. Mr Murali said his team helped to take care of the woman's funeral expenses and found the family lawyers to claim compensation, among others. An employee of the contractor was eventually fined for negligence, while the riser system has since been modified such that an alarm goes off if the system is switched off, Mr Murali added. His GRC teammates - Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam, newcomer David Hoe, and PAP's former Hougang candidate Lee Hong Chuang - also spoke at the rally. So, too, did Mr Xie Yao Quan, the PAP candidate for the new Jurong Central SMC. Mr Xie acknowledged that 'the PAP is not perfect. It has never been'. 'It does not have all the right answers all the time, and it does not get everything right every time. But it has done well, and it has done right by Singaporeans,' the 40-year-old said. He cited 'important policies' from the PAP government, such as the Silver Support Scheme and Workfare Income Supplement. 'And while it is not perfect, I can tell you that the PAP is determined to keep becoming better, and do ever better for Singapore and Singaporeans.' The PAP's Jurong Central candidate Xie Yao Quan speaking at the rally at the Jurong East Stadium on April 28. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The PAP candidates all spoke of specific incidents where they have helped residents in the area. For example, Ms Rahayu, who has overseen Bukit Batok East for the last decade, said she helped a retrenched father get support with his career transition and interim assistance with utilities and household expenses. He eventually bounced back on his feet, she said. Ms Rahayu added: 'Residents of Bukit Batok East, you know me. You have seen me. I may not be everywhere every time, but you know what I have been doing. You know my heart. You have seen me work and walk with you.' The PAP candidates spoke of plans for infrastructural improvements if they are elected, such as sheltered walkways and barrier-free access, and opportunities for residents there to connect with one another. These are in addition to more community help schemes, with the likes of study awards and active ageing programmes already implemented there. Mr Xie said: 'I deeply respect the opposition candidates for stepping forward as loyal Singaporeans and presenting themselves as a choice to fellow Singaporeans. 'But I must also say, all the candidates in the PAP… are loyal Singaporeans too.' He asked voters to choose the candidates who would best serve and represent them. Mr Xie said: 'The PAP has always been with you, and the PAP will always continue to be with you.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
