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Dr Surin said, "We are pleased to receive Ambassador Lim. I am certain that his experience in ASEAN affairs will be valuable in progressing the building of the ASEAN Community. I hope that the rest of the Member States will also appoint their Permanent Representatives to ASEAN very shortly."

Singapore became the first Member State to appoint a Permanent Representative to ASEAN. The appointment of Ambassador Lim commenced with effect from January 2009.

According to the ASEAN Charter, which recently came into force on 15 December 2008, each ASEAN MemberState shall appoint a Permanent Representative to ASEAN with the rank of Ambassador based in Jakarta.

The Permanent Representatives will collectively constitute a Committee of Permanent Representatives which tasks include supporting the work of the ASEAN Community Councils, coordinating with ASEAN National Secretariats and other ASEAN Ministerial Bodies, as well as liaising with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Before taking up his current position, Ambassador Lim served as the Ambassador of Singapore to Viet Nam.