Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman
Singapore
“Just a quick response to the question on JKJU. Indeed, we continue to pay attention to the health of the Malay/Muslim community. I mentioned earlier while we have been making progress, there have been some areas that we continue to want to improve on, particularly, increasing in our rates of participation in signing up for Healthier SG, p…”
“00 pm (In English): Mr Chairman, beyond our shores or closer to home, efforts like M3's Aid for Gaza and our initiatives for local communities in the M3@Towns show how our acts of care and contribution, as donors or volunteers, and how we can connect with one another to do so, can make a difference to those around us.”
“The other dimension is that having Dian ambassadors help with the cultural dimension, because not all family coaches from ComLink necessarily understand the dynamics of Malay culture, the nuances, and so the Dian ambassadors help them and tell them that these are the ways in which we can connect with Malay families in a manner that will g…”
“This will also mitigate the impulse to normalise or chase the extremes in the contest to circulate ever more startling videos and content. While firm actions will be taken to address the parties involved in each incident, the school will also use the opportunity as a teaching moment for all its students.”
“Sir, I agree with the Member that we have to strike a balance. We cannot just swing one way or the other. Just to assure the Member that MOE did commission a National Institute of Education study – it was a two-year study which was commissioned in September 2022, but it is not completed yet.”
“Mr Speaker, the short answer is yes. We welcome anyone who is keen to join the SPED sector. We know this SPED sector is a very challenging sector to be in. It requires determination. It requires passion. It is a calling.”
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“Social media had become a lot more prevalent in the span of just seven years, and the photo made its rounds on Facebook, where posts are easily shared with a wider audience. While the incident was resolved, similar cases could tear at our interfaith unity. Likewise, falsehoods could be spread to weaken our trust in public institutions and confidence in a shared future or incite fear. Some Members may recall a video that was shared on social media early last year, purportedly showing an explosion in Tuas. While a fire did break out, this said footage of the incident was fake. The video had, in fact, been uploaded on YouTube multiple times from 2015 onwards and have on separate occasions been labelled as blasts in China, India and France – that same footage. If it had not been debunked, the video could have sparked panic and anxiety amongst Singaporeans. Fake news has the potential to undermine us from within and is a key challenge that has led MINDEF to focus more on Psychological Defence. Moreover, the growing number of Singaporeans who pursue work and educational opportunities abroad may have to wrestle with dissenting views more squarely. Foreign business partners, schoolmates or friends may at times express fundamental disagreements with Singapore's decisions, policies or actions. They could even persuade you to adopt their viewpoint at the expense of supporting our national interests. Psychological resilience on the part of each individual is being decisive in withstanding such pressures. I read an opinion piece on Total Defence earlier this year, where Channel NewsAsia editor Jaime Ho rightly pointed out how defence today entails Singaporeans "thinking for ourselves" and "standing up for ourselves".”
“Just last month, the five Community Development Councils (CDCs) launched the "Common Senses for Common Spaces" interfaith dialogue programme nationwide. This provides members of the community with a safe space to ask questions and learn more about the different faiths in Singapore, thus deepening their understanding and appreciation. 12.15 pm It is also heartening to see that our youths understand the importance of Social Defence, and are initiating ground-up projects to expand our common space, too. The Interfaith Youth Circle, for example, was started by a group of youths who wanted to bridge gaps in understanding about the different religions in Singapore, especially given the negative sentiment and online chatter following terror attacks around the world. They organise activities, such as scriptural reasoning sessions, where people come together to read and reflect on scriptures from different faiths. Such efforts foster deeper trust and a stronger will to stand firm against attempts to turn us against one another. Mr Vikram Nair asked about the impact of fake news on security, and how MINDEF is combating this threat. In an interconnected world, Singaporeans are more easily exposed to pressures that could unsettle their willingness to uphold our national interests, including racial and religious harmony. These influences could come in the form of falsehoods deliberately spread online. In 2007, for example, an insensitive prank photo of pork sold at National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Fairprice with a halal sticker on the packaging was circulated via e-mail. NTUC Fairprice had called it out as false back then. Still, it resurfaced again in 2014.”
“If we possess strong social cohesion and psychological resilience, we would also see our non-Muslims, who have a lot of confidence in their Muslim friends, expressing support and giving assurances that what they saw neither represent Islam nor Muslims in Singapore. At the same time, those who might be affected by the images would feel comfortable enough to clarify their doubts and reservations with their Muslim friends. With deepened trust, all Singaporeans would stand united to safeguard the harmony we hold dear. As the Malay saying goes – "United we stand, divided we fall". This is the essence of our Social and Psychological Defence. (In English): As Mr Amrin Amin noted, there are also new potential fault lines in our social fabric beyond race and religion which could be used against us if we are not careful. With globalisation and significant mobility amongst Singaporeans, we cannot assume that all Singaporean children will continue to experience the culture of our local schools and neighbourhoods as they grow up. There are also others who come from transnational families. These are not concerns in and of themselves, but they do signal that the experiences and perspectives of our people are more varied than before. If we do not continue to forge common understanding, our differences could be played up to divide us, making it difficult for us to band together in a crisis. We need strong Social Defence. This means growing our common space by interacting with people of different backgrounds, speaking up against attempts to sow discord and helping those in need. One important element of this is to fortify trust and understanding among people of different religious backgrounds to guard against radical ideas that may divide us.”
“While the military and civil domains are most intuitively associated with defence, it is increasingly important today that we broaden our definition of what it means to safeguard Singapore. Our social cohesion could be compromised or affected if Singaporeans allow themselves to be swayed by divisive falsehoods, or stigmatise particular social groups in the wake of a violent attack. Religion today has been misused by terror groups like ISIS and misrepresented by preachers who espouse extreme views. Religion has also begun to enter the realm of politics, as seen in the region, resulting in built-up tensions in community relations. We need only turn to our own history to remind ourselves that trust and goodwill among communities are not a given and must be worked at unceasingly to sustain. As a society, we can and will continue to be tested. Just last year, two propaganda videos featuring an ISIS fighter from Singapore in Syria surfaced – the first was of him rallying others to join him, while the other was more graphic ‒ showing him shooting three men at close range. Upon hearing such news and watching such clips, how would or should Singaporeans react? The immediate reaction could include worry, disbelief, fear, anger and, possibly, suspicion and distrust. This is a grave concern. However, these reactions could be mitigated, depending on how strong we are psychologically as individuals and socially as a community. With strong social cohesion and psychological resilience, the Muslims amongst us would reject attempts to sway them to adopt extremist ideas, denouncing those images and assuring their non-Muslim friends and neighbours that the images they saw neither reflect Islam nor Muslims in Singapore.”
“Just last year, two propaganda videos featuring a Singaporean ISIS fighter in Syria surfaced – the first video was of him rallying others to join him, while the other video was more graphic, showing him shooting three men at close range. Upon hearing the news and watching such clips, how would or should Singaporeans react? The immediate reaction could include worry, disbelief, fear, anger and possibly distrust. However, these reactions could be mitigated, depending on how strong we are psychologically as individuals, and socially as a community. With strong social cohesion and psychological resilience, the Muslims amongst us would reject attempts to sway them to adopt extremist ideas, denouncing those images and assuring their non-Muslim friends and neighbours that the images they saw neither reflect Islam nor Muslims in Singapore. Again, with strong social cohesion and psychological resilience, we would also see our non-Muslims who have confidence in their Muslim friends expressing support and giving assurances that what they saw neither represent Islam nor Muslims in Singapore. At the same time, those who might be affected by the images would feel comfortable enough to clarify their doubts and reservations with their Muslim friends. With deepened trust, all Singaporeans would stand united to safeguard the harmony we hold dear. This is the essence of our Social and Psychological Defence. Mr Chairman, may I say a few words in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Just as we move forward to build up the Next-Gen SAF, we will gear Total Defence towards the new security environment, according greater attention to Social and Psychological Defence.”
“Yu Lun went on to set up his own video production company and YouTube channel "Butterworks" – the people behind films like "The First Book Out from Tekong" and "With Pride, We Lead", that have a combined reach of over 700,000 views. When asked recently about what drives him to make these videos, he said, "I'm very motivated to create films that hopefully Singaporeans would be proud to call their own...we challenge ourselves to create inspiring stories that blend in a subtle element of that little patriotism in us". Ms Low Yen Ling asked for an update on the 2018 Total Defence Campaign and how it will address new threats. As we move forward, just as we are building up the Next-Gen SAF, we will gear Total Defence towards the new security environment, according greater attention to social and psychological defence. Mr Ong Teng Koon highlighted the need to do so in the face of terrorism. Other threats like fake news and cyberattacks compound this need. While the military and civil domains are most intuitively associated with defence, it is increasingly important today that we broaden our definition of what it means to safeguard Singapore. For one, our social cohesion could be compromised if Singaporeans allow themselves to be swayed by divisive falsehoods or stigmatise particular social groups in the wake of a violent attack. Religion today has been misused by terror groups like ISIS and misrepresented by preachers who espouse extreme views. Religion has also begun to enter the realm of politics as seen in the region, resulting in built up tensions in community relations. As a society, we can and will continue to be tested. With your permission, Mr Chairman, may I display a visual on the screen?”
“Today, we have, in addition to that, a wide array of activities year-round, aimed at helping Singaporeans appreciate our threats and challenges and what they can do in response. This would not have been possible without our growing pool of partners from the public, private and people sectors that have come on board to work with us. To cite a recent example, MINDEF and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) worked with Mediacorp to develop a national security documentary-drama, "It Will Never Happen Here", which aired on Channel 5 in January. One of the viewers, 58-year-old housewife Mrs Vemala Gurunathan was struck by the episode on cyberattacks. She shared, and I quote, "I was quite surprised that attacks on cyberspace can actually cause chaos in our society and everyday life… I like how the programme even showed us how we can overcome this by being more careful online and not blindly believing everything we read". I am heartened that, today, Total Defence resonates with Singaporeans, and many are stepping up to contribute. A public survey conducted by MINDEF in 2017 showed that a majority of respondents appreciated the value of Total Defence in dealing with threats, both conventional and unconventional. We have also seen how some participants of MINDEF's various engagement programmes have gone on to encourage others to play their part in Total Defence. One of them is 26-year-old Chong Yu Lun. Yu Lun has participated in every run of MINDEF’s short film competition "ciNE65", creating multiple winning, but more importantly, inspiring entries. These range from those that encourage NSmen to defend our home, to those that portray the resilience of Singaporeans.”
“Mr Chairman, as Minister Ng Eng Hen has explained, Singapore is faced with changing geopolitical and threat environments. With it, the role of SAF is also expanding to respond to these threats. But what do these developments mean for the average Singaporean, for them to appreciate their role in Singapore’s defence? In today’s open world of porous boundaries and the Internet of Things, aggressors can put pressure on a target nation in many ways, and they have increasingly sought to direct this pressure at ordinary citizens, misleading them into resenting their fellow citizens of a different background, or unsettling their confidence in the Government. Essentially, a crisis of trust ensues and a society works towards its own unravelling. As such tactics become more commonplace, our people must be willing and ready to resist and respond and build up personal and social resilience to overcome these threats. Singapore’s Total Defence strategy encapsulates what everyone playing their part to safeguard Singapore looks like. It was introduced in 1984 against the backdrop of the prevailing threat of armed military conflict that can affect many different aspects of our society. Beyond Military Defence, our leaders recognised that our ability to face and overcome any eventual conflict also depends on our people and their resolve. Indeed, with emerging concerns that target our people’s hearts and minds, individuals play an increasingly critical role as our first defenders. Recognising this, MINDEF has both expanded and enriched our outreach over the years. In the past, our efforts were centred on the annual commemoration of Total Defence Day.”
“Given the growing number of Singaporeans living and travelling overseas, Mr Ong Teng Koon’s question on their role in advocating for Singapore is timely. In today’s globalised and digitalised environment, foreign affairs are no longer the privileged purview of professional diplomats alone. Increasingly, Singaporeans, especially those living abroad, play a role, too. When overseas, our citizens may often be asked to explain Singapore’s policies and actions. To do so effectively, an open mind and a friendly disposition help to bridge differences. We do not seek to impose our views on others. By the same token, we must be conscious of who we are and defend what we stand for. We are an independent, sovereign, multiracial country in Southeast Asia. We are not a Chinese, Indian or Malay state, and we must never act based on ethnic or religious identity. When we deal with a foreign country, whether in business or social settings, we should stand firm against external pressures and influences that undermine our national identity, interests and values. How tall and strong Singapore stands in the international community depends on our own unity and cohesiveness. Whether our people are in Singapore or abroad should make no difference. On our part, as we expand our space, secure our position and advance our interests internationally, MFA will continue to engage Singaporeans overseas. Our embassies regularly organise activities to stay in touch with local Singaporeans and keep them updated on developments in Singapore. Mr Chairman, I will now turn the floor over to Minister of State Sam Tan to continue.”
“Singapore’s unwavering position on this issue has enabled us to be taken seriously and regarded as a friend who can be trusted and relied upon, and who can play a constructive role in international affairs. (In English): Mr Chairman, our interests in the Middle East also stems from mutual interest to counter religious extremism together. I have just returned from Kuwait, where the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) discussed how we can build on our successes and continue cooperating to eliminate terrorism. Singapore has played an important role in the region's counterterrorism efforts, lending early support to the Defeat ISIS Coalition. We are the first Southeast Asian country to join the Coalition, and the only Asian country to have contributed both military assets and personnel to anti-ISIS efforts. Ultimately, our contributions towards the security and stability of the Middle East will help keep Singapore safe and secure. Ms Joan Pereira asked how the SCP supports Singapore’s engagement of other countries. Through SCP, we have shared Singapore’s development experience with over 117,000 foreign officials from all over. SCP participants form a reservoir of goodwill and support for Singapore in international fora as well as their home countries. Past SCP participants include Lao Prime Minister Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and several current leaders, ministers, mayors and governors of neighbouring countries. SCP gives us a useful platform to broaden our cooperation with other countries. We have joint training partnerships with developed countries like the US and Japan, as well as developing countries like Thailand and Argentina, or countries in the region and beyond.”
“Before this, we had also voted in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 37/123C in 1982, which deplored the relocation of diplomatic missions to Jerusalem, which was a violation of UNSC resolution 478 (1980). Any unilateral and premature action that might alter the status of Jerusalem will impede progress towards a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The future status of Jerusalem should be decided through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Let me elaborate in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The status of Jerusalem is a complex and sensitive issue with a long history. Any unilateral and premature action that might alter the status of Jerusalem will impede progress towards a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The future status of Jerusalem should be decided through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Singapore has good relations with both the Israelis and Palestine. We have urged both parties to resume direct negotiations and make progress towards a just and durable solution to the conflict. Therefore, at the recent UN General Assembly, Singapore voted in support of the resolution to reject any decisions or actions that may change the nature or character of the status of Jerusalem. This is consistent with Singapore’s vote in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 37/123C in 1982, which deplored the relocation of diplomatic missions to Jerusalem. Our long-standing view is that a two-state solution will help to bring peace and security to both parties.”
“The National University of Singapore (NUS) Overseas College in Israel has also allowed many to experience Israel’s dynamic economic, business and entrepreneurship culture. Since 2007, NUS’ Middle East Institute has promoted a deeper understanding of the region by regularly inviting academics and experts from the Middle East for lectures and workshops. Our engagements in the Middle East take place against the backdrop of a dynamic and complex region with rapid developments. Events unfolding in the region reverberate across the world. Last year alone, we saw the Gulf diplomatic crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian issue erupt. I had the opportunity to listen to different sides involved in the disputes. Singapore respects their position and we do not take sides. It is our hope that all parties will be able to resolve their differences amicably. 7.30 pm Singapore has maintained our consistent and principled position to uphold international law and support the peaceful resolution of disputes, including on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This has always been our approach, regardless of the vagaries of Middle East politics. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had explained in January 2018 Singapore’s vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution on the status of Jerusalem. Singapore’s vote was based on a key principle of Singapore’s foreign policy, which is the promotion of a rules-based global community, governed by the rule of international law, including abiding by UNSC Resolutions and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We voted in favour of the resolution as it reaffirms previous UN resolutions, rejects any decisions or actions which purport to alter the character and status of Jerusalem, and calls for all States to comply with existing UNSC resolutions on Jerusalem.”
“A Singapore company, Rotary Engineering, won a contract to build 12 storage tanks for Dubai’s Emirates National Oil Company, increasing storage capacity by 50%. Last year, the UAE Embassy in Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, set up the UAE-Singapore Business Council to link up companies and investors. Our presence in the Middle East extends to North Africa and Central Asia. My visit to Lebanon in May 2017 marked the first visit by a Singapore political officeholder to Lebanon since 1974. We rekindled our ties with the Lebanese leadership and agreed to explore cooperation in areas of shared interests, such as counterterrorism and technical cooperation. This year, I plan to bring a business delegation to Morocco to explore prospects for economic collaboration. A few days ago, Singapore and Tunisia signed an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement. Besides these, we continue to engage Iran. At the political level, I visited Iran last year and the Singapore Business Federation has mounted business missions to explore the Iranian market. For Central Asia, I met both the Mayors of Astana and Almaty during their visits to Singapore last year. They had promising discussions with Singapore companies to explore economic ties with Kazakhstan. Our people-to-people ties with the Middle East are strengthening. The number of Singaporeans travelling to, living, studying or working in the Middle East is increasing. Wherever I have travelled, I have met many who have visited and spoke fondly of Singapore. Our universities have many exchange programmes in the Middle East. Over 500 students have participated in Singapore Management University's (SMU’s) Business Study Missions to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.”
“Many leaders from these countries have told me that they have all read founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs and want to learn more from us. As Africa grows, we seek to position Singapore to take advantage of the economic opportunities. Africa’s GDP is expected to reach US$3 trillion by 2030. Our trade with Africa has been going strong, reaching S$8 billion in 2017, an increase of 13% from 2016. This year, we will host the 3rd High-Level Ministerial Exchange Visit from Africa, which will focus on how Singapore can partner Africa in smart city development. We are working to put in place key economic frameworks, such as Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties, so that Singapore companies will find it easier to do business in Africa. We are also making progress in aviation connectivity. Ethiopian Airlines relaunched flights to Addis Ababa, in addition to direct flights to Mauritius and South Africa. Expanded air links will help boost business and tourism. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about our engagement in the Middle East. It remains an important region for Singapore on several fronts. Singapore's total trade with the Middle East grew by about 24% to S$52.7 billion last year. Economic reforms in many Middle East countries provide unprecedented opportunities. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and National Transformation Programme 2020, hold bold and comprehensive reforms to diversify its economy from oil and to open up the country. Our companies can tap on opportunities in areas, such as infrastructure development, healthcare and smart technologies. There is also good momentum in economic exchanges with UAE, our largest trading partner in the region.”
“Singaporean startups, such as Anchanto, Shopmatic and ViSenze, are venturing into India to tap on its potential. With the decentralisation of the government in India, we have actively engaged individual states, such as Maharashtra, to support Singapore’s business interests. Following the State’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to Singapore last year, a joint working group to share expertise and speed up investment proposals was proposed. We have also been supporting the development of Andhra Pradesh’s new capital city, Amaravati. India's Act East policy has put a spotlight on connecting the northeast of India to Southeast Asia. We have launched a third skills centre in Guwahati, Assam, last year, after Delhi and Udaipur. Singapore’s experience in technical and vocational training is helping India upskill its youth and support our business interests. We recently signed an FTA with Sri Lanka during Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to Colombo. This is Sri Lanka’s first modern and comprehensive FTA that not only highlights the economic opportunities but also provides savings for Singapore’s companies. Bangladesh has also significant potential. Singapore contributed the highest net inflow of FDI to Bangladesh in the past two years. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit us in a few weeks' time. We will discuss economic cooperation and investments by Singapore and Bangladesh companies. Next, Africa. Africa is a vast continent of 54 countries that we cannot ignore. While many of us may be unfamiliar with Africa, Members would be surprised how many Africans know about Singaporeans and Singapore. I am constantly reminded during my trips to Africa of Singapore's reputation there, and the goodwill and trust that Africans have of us.”
“We are also in the process of negotiating a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Myanmar, which will give better protection for our companies. International Enterprise (IE) Singapore recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippines Bases Conversion and Development Authority for Singapore to participate in the development of New Clark City. While Southeast Asia remains the cornerstone of Singapore’s foreign policy, we should not lose sight of important regions elsewhere. In this globalised world, events elsewhere also affect Singapore. I will talk about three regions in particular – South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. First, South Asia. In response to Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mr Murali Pillai, South Asia enjoys long-standing linkages to Southeast Asia. Politically, South Asia is an important part of the larger Indo-Pacific region which adjoins Southeast Asia. Economically, the region is driving growth in Asia. South Asia's GDP is fast approaching US$3 trillion. Our relationship with India remains broad-based and deep. Singapore is India’s 10th largest trading partner and second largest foreign investor. We have made steady progress through the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, particularly in skills development and smart cities. We also worked with our economic agencies to support our companies’ expansion efforts in India. For example, PSA inaugurated the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals, which is now India’s largest container terminal. In keeping with India’s moves to digitalise its economy, we are also exploring new areas of cooperation, such as in financial technology (fintech). India’s technology startup scene is fast developing, with over 5,000 tech startups in 2017 alone.”
“What happens at the local level has an impact on their national politics and economies. Some provincial leaders have also taken higher office at the national level. There are also potential economic opportunities in these states and regions for our businesses. Given our close proximity, Singapore cannot be immune. For instance, I have met pesantren students as well as undergraduates in Riau and Jambi. The students were keen to discuss various topics, ranging from maintaining religious and racial harmony to the Singapore education system. Both the students and I came away richer from having better understood each other’s perspectives. Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about our relations with other Southeast Asian countries. We keep up regular high-level exchanges to deepen bilateral ties. Last November, President Halimah Yacob attended the Royal Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited the Philippines and Vietnam twice last year. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Myanmar, while Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also made introductory visits to the Philippines and Cambodia. We hosted Laos Prime Minister Dr Thongloun Sisoulith as well as senior Vietnamese leaders. I also visited Brunei twice last year, including for Hari Raya Open Houses. We have been doing this for several years now, and our friends from Brunei likewise visit Singapore during the Hari Raya season. Such interactions also provide opportunities for Singapore companies venturing into the region. For example, Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements with Laos and Cambodia came into force last year.”
“Mr Chairman, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan spoke about Singapore’s main foreign policy priorities. I will elaborate on Singapore’s relations with countries in the region and beyond. For good reasons, we place great importance on engaging our regional neighbours. Our future is inextricably linked to the region. A peaceful and stable Southeast Asia is a necessary condition for Singapore’s security and prosperity. ASEAN is our largest trading partner with 630 million people and a combined GDP of US$2.55 trillion. In 2016, Singapore’s trade with ASEAN amounted to US$217.1 billion – more than a quarter of Singapore’s total trade. Last year, around a third, or 6.2 million, of our total visitor arrivals came from ASEAN. We see tremendous potential and opportunities in our region as ASEAN is expected to become the fourth largest economy in the world with a GDP of US$10 trillion by 2030. With 60% of ASEAN’s population under the age of 35, there are also demographic dividends to be reaped. Therefore, we have pursued collaborative relations with our Southeast Asian neighbours, in particular, the provinces and regions outside the capitals of our two closest neighbours. Malaysia and Indonesia are large dynamic markets. There are opportunities to deepen our engagement at the state and provincial levels. We have had visits by leaders from Sabah, Sarawak and Johor, as well as from Jambi, North Sumatra and Kepulauan Riau (KEPRI). We have visited places like Malacca, Perak, South Sumatra and West Java. There is much unfamiliarity with Singapore in these places and vice-versa, especially among the youths. It is important to understand our neighbours at the local level and provide opportunities for them to know us.”
“More than 500 businesses and organisations have introduced initiatives to commemorate NS50, including offering discounts and privileges for NSmen to enjoy with their families. But most encouraging is the groundswell of spontaneous individual stories on social media from tens of thousands of NSmen and members of the community. It is these precious and individual NS stories that make NS today part and parcel of being Singaporean in every family and uniquely Singapore. It is for these reasons and as a tribute to our NSmen, past and present, that the Prime Minister has announced that the Float@Marina Bay will be redeveloped into a permanent space and renamed the NS Square. Its permanence and prominence will reflect the central role that NS plays in keeping Singapore strong and secure. In this NS50 year, we can be proud of what we have achieved together. If we can maintain this unwavering and strong support for NS from one generation to the next, then we can look forward to Singapore's future with optimism and assurance. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 6.25 pm.”
“We owe this to the young men who give of their best serving the nation, and to their parents who entrust their sons to us. SAF will continue to regularly review and strengthen its safety systems, with regular inspections and external professional advice. We fully agree with Mr Vikram Nair and Ms Joan Pereira, too, that the Next Generation NSmen must adapt their roles and responsibilities to a changing security environment. Much of that is happening already. Today, NSmen are already trained to operate our new air defence weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and use data analytic tools for maritime threats. NSmen will be part of the 2,600-strong Cyber Defence Force over the next 10 years. Every year, the Island Defence Training Institute will train more than 18,000 NSmen annually for homeland security operations. We agree with Mr Vikram Nair that NS roles will be further optimised through the use of technology. Going forward, more NSmen will operate unmanned platforms, use AI, data analytics and robotics to act as force multipliers. For example, SAF is developing an Unmanned Ground Vehicle armed with a suite of sensors which enable our forces to respond to security threats quickly and effectively. Even as we expand and strengthen NSmen’s capabilities to defend our home against changing threats, societal support remains the strongest form of motivation to our NSmen. This year, we are heartened that different sectors of the community have come forward to commemorate NS50 together, including Members of Parliament here who hosted appreciation ceremonies in their constituencies for father and son NSmen. Hundreds more employers reaffirmed their commitment to the defence of Singapore at combined rededication ceremonies in July this year.”
“Today, the external threats may have changed in nature, but are no less threatening, either to the safety of our citizens or the sovereignty of our nation. Yes, today, this House sits in a very different Singapore. Certainly, we are more prosperous and stable with the SAF and the Home Team keeping Singapore safe daily. The Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) work hard to maintain law and order, responding to all types of emergencies, and are prepared to deal with any threat. Our crime rates are low and, while the terrorist threat is a grave one, our security forces are vigilant and prepared to deal with an attack when it comes. NS receives very strong support from all Members of this House, from employers and citizens. In our polls, more than 90% of citizens support NS and our national defence policies. I am deeply gratified, but MINDEF and SAF will never take that support for granted. Neither will it lull us into a complacency to let down our guard to protect this nation. Indeed, that strong support from this House and the public spurs us to further strengthen SAF, to modernise its processes, ensure greater accountability of the resources given to it and engage its soldiers better. Our NSmen form the bedrock of our defence and security. We will continue to improve NS, help our NSmen perform their duties more effectively and recognise their contributions. Today, pre-enlistees from the Home Team and SAF can indicate their vocational interest for NS. We have also reduced the waiting time for enlistment and introduced life and personal accident insurance coverage for all NSmen. We agree with Ms Joan Pereira that we must do everything possible to prevent loss of life or bodily harm to our soldiers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank Mr Vikram Nair and Ms Joan Pereira for their speeches and strong support for NS. Since Independence, this Government has been consistent and unwavering in its commitment towards strong defence and security that can only be possible with NS, due to our limited manpower. National conscription is a difficult policy for any country to introduce and just as challenging to maintain. Fifty years ago, with our nation’s very survival at stake, with Independence thrust upon her precipitously and without any military to protect her sovereignty, the government of the day took that onerous but courageous step to introduce NS. Dr Goh Keng Swee moved the NS (Amendment) Bill, which this House passed on 14 March 1967. With that, NS began with the first batch of 9,000 NSmen enlisted in 1967. Then, Singapore was poor and undeveloped, and there was no certainty that we could even succeed as a nation or build a credible military to protect our borders and interests. After 50 years, and a million NSmen who have performed this sacred duty honourably and faithfully, including many NSmen Members of Parliament here, we can take pride that together, we have built up a strong SAF and Home Team, respected and able to protect Singapore. Why did our founding leaders begin NS then, even though it was politically challenging and unpopular in a Singapore that was impoverished and beset with so many other economic and social problems? As our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew revealed in 2012, and I quote, "From the day we started, I knew that we needed a strong SAF, and I believe that remains today. Without a strong SAF, there is no economic future, there is no security." This truism remains.”
“At least a hundred of those present rushed forward to push the branches and logs away to help those who were under the tree when it fell. This immediate civic-minded response gives me confidence that we will be able to respond appropriately to any challenges, support one another and recover quickly after any crisis. Madam, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore this year, we are reminded of our vulnerability. We have responded with 50 years of NS and a strong SAF, and all Singaporeans coming together for Total Defence. The future may be uncertain, the threats more unpredictable. But our resolve is resolute. We will stand together with resilience and confidence, just as we have done before, ride out any crisis and emerge stronger as one people.”
“I believe we need a strong army to punch above our weight." And he is not alone. In a recent survey, 96% of employers agreed that NS provides the security needed for Singapore to prosper. ACCORD members have also helped us to reach out to new citizens and Permanent Residents who will become an integral part of our society. For example, the Global Indian International School and United World College (Southeast Asia), whose principals are ACCORD members, organised sharing sessions to provide more than 700 students and parents with information on the NS enlistment process. Alumni from these schools who have been through NS also returned to share their experiences and communicate the importance of NS for Singapore's defence. Third, we will reach out to individuals directly, because they can be empowered to initiate their own Total Defence efforts. Ms Priya Shahane, Chief Human Resources officer of AXA Singapore, introduced a system to plan for coverage of duties in advance when an employee is called up for ICT in her company. This allowed AXA employees like Mr Pan Chee Keong, an Assistant Manager, to go for ICT without worrying about work piling up. Ms Shahane also introduced measures to grant time off work for NSmen employees to prepare for the individual physical proficiency test (IPPT) and reward gold achievers with an additional half day of annual leave, which encourages them to do better in their IPPT. In recognition of her efforts, Ms Shahane was awarded the NS Advocate Award for Individuals in 2016. Madam, personally, I am confident that my fellow Singaporeans will play their part and strengthen our Total Defence and national spirit. We saw this when a 40-metre tall and 6.5-metre wide Tembusu tree toppled at the Singapore Botanic Gardens last month.”
“MINDEF is, therefore, working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's Committee on Citizen Engagement and partners like the National Youth Council to engage youths in conversations on what it takes to build up Singapore's psychological defence from their perspectives. I hope there will be many more youths like Nurul Fatimah. She was a 14-year-old student in a local madrasah when she decided to attend CampTeen, which encourages cross-cultural friendships amongst students. She says, "For nine years of my life, I lived thinking that it was best to just stay within my comfort zone, without thinking of the importance of mixing around in this multicultural land. Now, I know that common space is really significant to our generation today, but the bonds are not easily made." Now 17, and inspired by her experience, she is an active youth advocate with OnePeople.sg, which runs CampTeen. Second, we will engage economic and community leaders through ACCORD. Mr Zainal Sapari asked for an update on the implementation of the ACCORD proposals. As Chairman of ACCORD, I am pleased to update that we have successfully implemented all 18 proposals involving various stakeholders − employers and businesses, families and communities, and educational institutions. For example, under the "We Support YOU in NS" initiative, the ACCORD Family and Community Council has been encouraging merchants and retailers to show their support for NSmen by offering discounts and benefits. Dr Cheng Eng Wah, iDental's founder and Principal Dental Surgeon, readily agreed to have promotions on metal braces for NSFs when his team raised this initiative to him. Alluding to a Chinese saying 有 国 才 有 家, Dr Cheng explained: "There is no home without a nation.”
“Within SAF, we are training our Servicemen to be prepared citizens and active responders, such as by equipping them with basic first aid and firefighting skills, so that they can support the civil pillar of Total Defence in their personal capacity. One such example was Military Expert 1 (ME1) Gregory Poh from the Republic of Singapore Air Force 113 Squadron. In November 2016, ME1 Poh was on his way home from work when he noticed that a child at the playground was having seizures and was not breathing. He administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately, continued to keep the child's condition stable and assisted the paramedics when they arrived. 1.45 pm Beyond SAF, we will roll out a Total Defence strategy card game, "Guardians of the City", to all secondary school uniformed groups this year. Members can pick up a set and try out for yourselves from the library later on. This game, an example of a ground-up initiative, was designed by Mr Wan Junyan, an SGfuture participant, who was inspired by discussions with students on how to convey Total Defence lessons in a more engaging manner and developed in collaboration with MOE and MHA. It educates youths on how society can come together to better prepare for terrorist threats based on real-life examples, respond to them and recover from them. We hope that through the game, our youths will grow to become Total Defence advocates amongst their peers. Our younger generation will shape the future of Singapore. We want to ensure that they have the same commitment to Total Defence and the right instincts to face future threats and challenges.”
“At the individual level, when confronted with extremist material, instead of forwarding it, our first instinct should be to check with our Mufti and Islamic authority, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), and then commenting to counter such views. We should not allow exclusivist thinking to permeate the minds of our community. We must have the psychological resilience to resist and reject materials that we suspect are untrue, extremist or exclusivist, which may have a negative impact on our social cohesion. (In English): Dr Teo Ho Pin and Mr Lee Yi Shyan rightly noted that Total Defence requires a whole-of-society effort and asked about MINDEF's Total Defence efforts and how we reach out and engage Singaporeans. MINDEF will enhance our extensive partnerships across the public, private and people sectors. First, we will collaborate closely across the Government. Last month, we commemorated Total Defence Day with the Ministry of Communications and Information and the National Archives of Singapore, in conjunction with the opening of the revamped gallery on the Japanese Occupation at the former Ford Factory, where Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese on that day 75 years ago. This was an opportunity to remember our heritage and draw out messages of psychological and social defence and remind Singaporeans why we cannot rely on others to defend our home. We are working with MHA in SGSecure to encourage Singaporeans to put Total Defence into action in the fight against terrorism, by building community vigilance, cohesion and resilience.”
“Madam, if I may continue in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singaporeans must have confidence in our own community and institutions and be discerning enough to question, check and push back against fake news, instead of simply forwarding it. This is even more so when fake and distorted news have an impact on our security. This is even more so, given the security challenges we face in the ideological battle with terrorist groups like ISIS in social media. ISIS wants to set up a wilayat in Southeast Asia. It has already formed a militant group called Katibah Nusantara comprising about 1,000 volunteers from Southeast Asia. It has also released several propaganda videos and magazines in Bahasa Malay that are targeted at Muslims in the region. These are aimed at inciting hostility and violence against other groups in our society that do not fall within ISIS' definition of being Muslim. Our youths who are active on social media are particularly vulnerable; it is not difficult to access videos of beheadings juxtaposed with those showing an idyllic society under ISIS and a fighter explaining why it is every Muslim's duty to join ISIS, followed by a celebration of his martyrdom in death. Around our region, the growth of extremist groups who spread exclusivist and literalist leanings in Islam poses a significant threat to our multi-religious society. We know of 31 such groups which have pledged allegiance or support for ISIS. Our Mufti and Muslim groups, such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), have made clear that ISIS' methods go against Islam. These Muslim groups have been reaching out to educate the community through counselling, publications and speeches.”
“The Government will, therefore, make a shift from "concept to action", and help Singaporeans understand how they can put Total Defence into action in their everyday lives. And we may find the social and psychological pillars of Total Defence gaining more prominence. In the cyber domain, each individual is the first line of defence by guarding against phishing and hacking attempts through simple actions, such as using strong passwords for our personal devices and online accounts. Businesses also play an important role by putting in place necessary cybersecurity measures and training their staff to respond to potential risks. The latest threat hijacks Internet of Things devices like security cameras and media players that you might have in your own home. Securing these devices, as well as your phones and laptops is, therefore, the first step in cyber defence. In the area of fake news, again, each individual is the first line of defence. We need to be discerning and responsible with what we read and decide to share online. When you see a shocking article, for example, a good first step is to Google it and see if it is being reported on reputable news sites like the British Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters or Channel NewsAsia. If you find fake news, it could be as simple as reporting a post to Facebook or commenting to expose the falsehood. There is a movement in Eastern Europe called the Baltic Elves that does just that ‒ fighting trolls and disinformation. I am glad that Singaporeans are also stepping up. For example, when a Whatsapp message was circulating in December last year, warning of potential terrorist attacks in popular shopping areas, many citizens countered by warning that the message was unsubstantiated and should not be circulated.”
“Information attacks today are far more effective and dangerous, when technology permeates every aspect of our lives. The spread of fake news and misinformation is much accelerated with WhatsApp and Facebook, and its impact is amplified. For example, the owners of the now-defunct site The Real Singapore made a false claim that a Filipino family's complaints had caused a scuffle between the Police and participants at the 2015 Thaipusam procession. It was a distortion of facts, again aimed at inciting hostility among different groups in Singapore. It went viral and could have led to a breakdown in our society, similar to the Maria Hertogh riots but with far greater impact, if not for discerning netizens who reported the "insensitive article". It clearly showed that we must act to protect the bonds that hold us together. Ms Low Yen Ling, Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef and Mr Amrin Amin asked how we can respond to new hybrid threats. Now in its 33rd year, Total Defence remains our best defence and response. The avenue of threats is new ‒ social media, the Internet and electronic devices, but the threats are the same ‒ distortions and falsehoods. And they target the same vulnerabilities ‒ our differences in race, religion and background. This is why the five pillars and the core message of every Singaporean standing together, playing our part to protect Singapore and our shared way of life continue to be relevant. I am glad that more than 80% of Singaporeans surveyed by MINDEF in 2016 are aware of Total Defence and more than 90% of them agree that it remains important for Singapore. However, to deal with our new challenges, the way we practise Total Defence has to evolve.”
“Mdm Chair, amidst the global trend of drawing boundaries and rejecting outsiders, Singapore stands out with our own brand of multi-ethnicity and multi-religiosity. Our principle of embracing different cultures and faiths while building a shared Singaporean identity has been the foundation of our success and will continue to be so in the years to come. But it must never be taken for granted, as evidenced by our own early history of religious tensions and race riots. As a small country, we remain vulnerable to pressures from around the world and at home. The pressures will only increase in the face of hybrid warfare. Mr Amrin Amin and Ms Low Yen Ling asked about the threat that hybrid warfare poses to Singapore. The threat is real. It is pervasive. Attackers will continue to devise ways to exploit our growing reliance on technology across all sectors of society, targeting all pillars of our Total Defence. Minister Ng has earlier spoken about the ongoing threat of cyberattacks. Information attacks are less obvious. But as history has shown, they are clearly effective in targeting all sectors of society. The devastating Maria Hertogh riots in 1950 arose out of newspaper reports that gave competing versions of the facts about legal proceedings and Maria's stay in the convent. These were distortions of facts by the media that was used as a tool of Muslim activism against colonialists. The activists exploited the incident to incite hostility between the Muslim and predominantly European and Eurasian Catholic populations in Singapore then. This resulted in 18 dead, 173 injured and significant property damage. And this took place in an age when news was spread in print or simply by word of mouth.”
“He wrote, "When I contacted MFA to get more information on the unfortunate bus crash, not only did they give me the information I needed, it was because of the aid MFA rendered that my family was able to return safely to Singapore. We would not have been able to go through this on our own and we will always remember how MFA had our back. The MFA team was professional, polite and considerate even when we were in so much distress. Thank you very much." Sir, on behalf of the MFA family, I would like to thank Members of the House and all Singaporeans for their support to MFA as we advance Singaporeans' interests internationally.”
“If more of these Singaporeans had e-registered, it would allow us to more quickly verify if they have been confirmed safe or if they require urgent assistance. In many emergency situations, e-registration has allowed us to contact affected Singaporeans, and one incident last year comes to mind. During the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, MFA contacted all registered Singaporeans in the affected areas and monitored the situation closely. As a 13-member youth football team and some of their parents were also stranded in Antalya due to the closure of the Istanbul airport, MFA worked with SIA to facilitate their departure from Antalya to Gothenburg, Sweden, so that they could arrive in time for the Gothia World Youth Cup 2016. In the same month, 86 people were killed after a terrorist drove a cargo truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France. Similarly, MFA contacted all registered Singaporeans in France to verify their safety. After ascertaining that a Singaporean student was seriously injured during that attack, our Embassy staff was on the ground to extend consular assistance to the Singaporean and his parents who had flown to Nice to be with him. On that note, I would like to thank Ms Joan Pereira for commending our MFA officers for their dedication in discharging their consular duties. The nature of consular work is challenging and complex. Our officers often work hard around the clock to provide support to distressed Singaporeans abroad. But what keeps the officers going is the knowledge that they are helping fellow Singaporeans. I would like to share a heartening note that a Singaporean wrote to us after MFA had assisted with the repatriation of his deceased relative.”
“We are also enhancing our MFA@SG app to include a safety check feature to allow e-registrants to update MFA on their safety status using their mobile devices during crisis situations. We are expanding our IT platforms to allow e-Registration and safety checks using chat-bots. It will soon be easier to find information on our websites through a Virtual Assistant. We urge Singaporeans to do their part and take the necessary precautions by staying vigilant, purchasing travel insurance, and staying in touch with family and friends so that they know you are safe during your travels. Importantly, we urge Singaporeans to e-Register with MFA when travelling, either through our MFA website or the MFA@SG app. There is a huge disparity between the 400,000 e-registrants we have on record and the 7.5 million outbound trips made by Singaporeans via air and sea in 2016 and this excludes the over 16 million overland travels to Malaysia annually. E-registrants will receive information on how to contact our nearest overseas mission and MFA can quickly contact e-registered Singaporean travellers during emergencies to ascertain the need for urgent assistance. So, I cannot emphasise again how important it is for Singaporeans to e-register. Currently, about eight out of 10 calls that MFA receives during emergency situations are from the next-of-kin of Singaporeans who did not e-register. For instance, one citizen who was in the locality of a man-made disaster in China complained that other Singaporeans were contacted by MFA to ascertain their safety, but wondered why MFA had missed contacting him. But when we investigated, we realised that he had not e-registered so there was no way MFA could know that he was in the area at that time.”
“While we have our counter-terrorism strategy, Singapore cannot tackle this trans-border threat alone. MFA will continue to keep up regular political exchanges and community engagement across our region. During my trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh, in October 2016, I shared Singapore's experiences with the local Muslim community over there and heard about their efforts to instil the correct message about Islam. We must continue working closely with foreign counterparts to share intelligence, coordinate approaches and encourage the exchange of best practices on how to counter radical ideologies. In light of the spate of terror attacks across the globe, Ms Joan Pereira has asked how MFA is better preparing itself to help Singaporeans caught in crisis situations abroad. In 2016 alone, major consular incidents included the terror attacks in Brussels and Nice, the bombings and unrest in Turkey, earthquakes in the region and the Muar Bus Accident. With Singaporeans being one of the most well-travelled people in the world, this raises not only the volume but also the complexity of consular cases that MFA has to handle. With finite resources, we have to work hard and be creative to respond to consular incidents quickly and effectively. Alongside a limited number of overseas missions, MFA officers are rostered 24/7 so that Singaporeans can contact MFA and vice versa during emergency situations. During the tragic bus accident that took place on the North-South Highway in Muar on Christmas Eve last year, MFA sent an officer quickly to reinforce the Singapore Consulate in Johor Bahru. Within 24 hours, the deceased and injured were repatriated back to Singapore.”
“Following the Prime Minister's visit, we have received many requests for study visits and training courses in non-TVET fields, too. This year, we hope to welcome Palestinian officials to Singapore to study our industrial estate management policies, among others. Mr Hawazi is also planning to visit the Palestinian Territories later this year to explore further areas of cooperation between Singapore and the PNA. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin also asked about the impact of international conferences, such as the Conference for Peace in the Middle East, held in January this year. The Conference was held in Paris on 15 January 2017 and involved leaders and senior officials from some 70 countries. Although Singapore was not a member of the Conference, we are supportive of all efforts by the international community to facilitate the resumption of meaningful and direct negotiations towards a two-state solution, whereby Israel and Palestine can live side-by-side in peace and security. 7.45 pm (In English): Mr Chairman, as I have said earlier, developments in the Middle East have security implications for us. We have observed how ISIS has exported its ideology through the Internet and other social media platforms, radicalising individuals in the US, Europe and even here in Southeast Asia. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked how we are preparing to manage such a challenging security climate. ISIS has suffered several military setbacks recently in Iraq and Syria. However, even as ISIS loses ground, returning fighters continue to pose a long-term threat to global security, as pointed out by several counter-terrorism experts. This region is not immune, with more than 1,000 Indonesians, Malaysians, Filipinos and even Singaporeans having gone to fight for ISIS.”
“During the visit, I informed the PNA leaders about the Government's appointment of Mr Hawazi Daipi as Singapore's Representative to the PNA to help coordinate our assistance to the PNA. They welcomed the appointment. Mr Hawazi has since made his first visit to the West Bank as Representative in January this year where he met a number of senior office holders and officials from the PNA. One of the officials, PNA Assistant Foreign Minister Mazen Shamia, expressed the Palestinian leadership's "happiness and satisfaction" with the "remarkable development" of ties between the Palestinians and Singapore. During my visit to Ramallah, I had the opportunity to meet senior Palestinian alumni of our Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). The SCP has trained over 260 Palestinian officials in various courses over the years. We welcome the Palestinians' interest in our SCP courses and are working closely with the PNA to identify the critical areas where Singapore can contribute to capacity-building in the Palestinian Territories, within our limited resources. One of the areas where we may be able to assist the Palestinians is in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). With over a third of the Palestinian population under age 30, equipping these youths with skills relevant to the marketplace is critical to the economic development and viability of the Palestinian Territories. In this regard, we invited PNA Minister of Education and Higher Education Sabri Saidam to visit Singapore from 31 October to 2 November 2016 to learn more about Singapore's approach to TVET, while ITE Education Services visited the West Bank in January 2017 to conduct a TVET skills needs analysis for the Palestinians.”
“] Despite Singapore's close relations with Israel, we have taken a principled, consistent and long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine issue. We have good relations with both Israel and PNA, and many Arab countries. Although the situation is complex and progress is difficult, Singapore has always urged Israel and Palestine to resume direct negotiations and work towards a just and durable solution to this long-standing conflict. This is because we are convinced that a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, however hard to achieve, is the only way to bring peace and security to both peoples. During his visit to Israel last year and during Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent visit to Singapore, Prime Minister Lee had clearly articulated Singapore's long-standing and consistent position on the Middle East Peace Process, including our support for the two-state solution. While Singapore supports Israel's right to live within secure borders and in peace, at the same time, we also support the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland. We have consistently voted in favour of most of the Palestinian-related resolutions tabled at the UN General Assembly. Singapore also enjoys friendly relations with the Palestinians. Over the years, Singapore leaders have made visits to Ramallah and we do our best to help the Palestinians rebuild their lives as well as develop their economy. During the Prime Minister's visit to Ramallah in April last year, he also announced the doubling of our Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) to the PNA from S$5 million to S$10 million. To follow up on the Prime Minister's visit, I visited Ramallah, as well as Israel and Jordan, in November last year.”
“We recognise that the security situation in the Middle East will have implications for our region. That is why Singapore has contributed to the international coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), while our Navy participates in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. There remains keen interest in the Middle East countries to learn from Singapore's development experience. Over the past three years, there were more than 100 study visits in areas such as urban planning, port management and education. Low oil prices have also forced the oil-dependent Middle East countries to implement economic reforms and diversify their economies. There continues to be opportunities in sectors where Singapore companies have expertise in, such as transport and logistics, healthcare, water technology and education. As a small state, we maintain friendly ties with all who want to befriend us, including those from the Middle East. Prime Minister Lee visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories last year in April. During the trip, Prime Minister Lee invited the leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel to visit Singapore. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reciprocal visit took place just last week. Singapore and Israel have a longstanding relationship, dating back to when the Israelis helped us build up our SAF and thereby secure our independence and sovereignty. We look forward to welcoming the leaders from Jordan and the PNA to Singapore. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked about Singapore's position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Let me elaborate in Malay please, Mr Chairman. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“In Botswana, I was also pleasantly surprised to meet a tight-knit group of Singaporeans and learnt that several have been living there for more than a decade! One of the Singaporeans I met there had settled down in Botswana some 16 years ago and now operates a cow farm together with her Botswana husband. I am also glad to see our students participating in exchanges with universities in countries like Russia and Mexico. I encourage more Singaporeans to take the road less travelled, which will broaden their perspectives while helping Singapore extend our friendships across the world. Let me move on to our engagement of the Middle East, which Mr Amrin Amin asked about. Singapore enjoys friendly relations with countries in the Middle East and it is important to continue to engage them. Understanding the complex developments in the region is important to us as 15% of our population are Muslims, many of whom visit the Middle East for the haj and umrah and for religious and Arabic language classes and studies. Today, we have about 300 students studying in Egypt and about 130 students studying in Jordan. With the Middle East presenting greater economic opportunities, more Singaporeans are working there in fields, such as hospitality, engineering, finance and transport and logistics in various countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. In 2015, our Consulate-General in Dubai was designated as an overseas polling station for elections to make it easier for Singaporeans in the region to cast their votes. This is in recognition of the growing number of Singaporeans in that region. We also cooperate closely with some Middle Eastern countries in areas, such as education, environment and security.”
“For instance, we are negotiating the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which will open doors for our businesses to expand into the vast South Asian market once concluded. We are also pursuing an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Comprising Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the EAEU has a combined market of 179 million people and a GDP of US$4.4 trillion. The Turkey-Singapore FTA, which is expected to be ratified this year, will allow our companies to leverage Turkey's strategic location to pursue investments in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. But our relationships with the emerging markets are not just economically driven. Over the years, we have developed good political and people-to-people exchanges. For example, President Tony Tan made a State Visit to Mexico in June 2016 − the first State Visit by a Singapore Head of State to Latin America. Minister Vivian will make an Official Visit to Argentina in April 2017. We have also hosted 96 Latin American journalists under the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Journalists' Visit Programme over the last 17 years, which has created greater awareness about our societies, our policies and our culture in Latin America. For Sub-Saharan Africa, we hosted 10 ministers from the region last year to share how we tackle our urban challenges. It also heartens me to see more Singaporeans going off the beaten track to pursue their interests in less familiar places. For example, last year, I met a lively young Singaporean lady who is studying theatre at the Waterfront Theatre School in South Africa. She told me that she was interested in African art and culture that led her to make such an unconventional choice.”
“Mr Chairman, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan earlier explained the key lessons for Singapore's foreign policy as we navigate a more complex global environment today. It is important for Singapore to strengthen the trust we have built with our friends across the world. This trust will allow us to deepen cooperation with our partners, create opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans abroad and advance our interests internationally. Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Edwin Tong have pointed out that emerging markets offer many opportunities for Singaporean businesses abroad. Take Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, which offers opportunities for those with an appetite to venture into less familiar markets. During my visit to Ethiopia last year, I saw Ethiopia's efforts to position itself as Africa's industrial hub. Far from its earlier years of being known as a famine-stricken country, Ethiopia has enjoyed growth rates averaging 10% over the last decade and is now one of the world's top 10 fastest growing economies. MFA is working with MTI to explore economic opportunities in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa in sectors like commodities, logistics, port development, urban solutions and information communications and technology. We currently have some 60 Singapore-based companies with business operations in over 40 Sub-Saharan Africa countries. This number is likely to grow in the coming years. We are also making good progress in Latin America, where our trade has more than doubled over the past decade and about 130 companies are now doing business there. We continue to seek opportunities in other regions like South Asia, Central Asia, Russia and Turkey.”
“Madam, as mentioned, it was reported by the media that the Indonesian Navy is the one that is conducting the investigation. I think I am not in a position to set any timeline because, ideally, it is up to the Indonesian authorities, and we will leave it to them. When they complete the investigation and they share the information with us, then we will take the action accordingly.”
“It was reported by the media that the Indonesian Navy is investigating. We are waiting for the outcome of their investigation and, should there be any need for us to work together with them, we will certainly work with them. I think it is premature to even discuss what actions we will take. We will look at the situation as it emerges.”
“Mdm Speaker, the handling and disposal of used SAF uniforms, we suspect, is due to actions of unauthorised parties. Our investigations have found that our authorised contractors have disposed of uniforms in accordance with established procedures. As mentioned earlier, the collection points are all available at all SAF eMarts. To enhance the convenience of our Servicemen, SAF will be putting the disposal bins with a one-way non-return valve at the entrance of selected camps near populated areas. So, the point is, we will continue to engage and remind our Servicemen and NSmen on where they should dispose of their used uniforms. We take this matter very seriously. We will ensure that should there be any individuals who have been found to have violated some of these regulations or procedures, they will be taken to task.”
“Mdm Speaker, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has an established system for disposing of its used and unwanted equipment. SAF Servicemen who need to dispose of their used uniforms can do so via collection points at all SAF eMarts. Our contractors for uniform disposal collect the used uniforms and send them to the incinerators. The used uniforms are then incinerated under witness by an SAF personnel. Following the incident, SAF has reminded our contractors to ensure that all uniform disposals are done in accordance with established procedures. SAF will also be putting up more disposal bins at SAF eMarts and will establish used uniform collection points at entrances of selected camps near populated areas in the next two to three months to reinforce the system. National Servicemen (NSmen) will be reminded to dispose of their old uniforms only via authorised collection points. These measures will reduce opportunities for unauthorised vendors to obtain and then sell used SAF uniforms.”
“I guess the argument would go either way. One would say, "Barring me for one year is sufficient. I try again. It is not that I am going to get the chance of getting successful one more time." But it is from feedback that we have put in place this system of barring them for one year. We can study it further; we can study the probability of one being successful even if we had blocked them for two or three years. The point we recognise is that we want to give Singaporeans the opportunity to get access to the NDP. This year, for example, more will get a chance because the capacity is bigger, and we will look into the system and facilitate as much as we can.”
“Madam, I can appreciate where the Member is coming from. I think we all would like to give everybody the opportunity to experience NDP. It is going to be quite difficult to ascertain who has never ever had a chance to attend an NDP over the last 50 years of our Independence. It is going to be quite a difficult process to put in place in the first place. What we have done is that, since 2013, those who have been successful in balloting in one year are then taken off the register for the subsequent year. So, we try to give opportunities for those who have not balloted successfully in one year to ballot again the next year. Those who have been successful in that year will not be allowed to ballot again the next year. So, that is the best we can do to try to limit access of one group who has succeeded in one year, and possibly expand the opportunities for the others. But I think Mr Lim Biow Chuan would probably appreciate that it is going to be very difficult to first ascertain what is that frame of number of people who have "never ever". And everybody would probably say "I have never ever been successful" because we cannot possibly ascertain that. Because everyone who ballots or applies for tickets can apply for one, two, four or six tickets. So, the success is by one person, but six persons would have gone. So, it will be very difficult to ascertain that. I think the system we have today is fair and we will continue to try to facilitate a fair system where everybody gets an equal chance of being balloted for the tickets.”
“Madam, the National Day Parade (NDP) is a major event in the national calendar and receives tremendous support from Singaporeans. It is heartening that Singaporeans are eager to be part of the celebrations, with the number of ticket applications for NDP overwhelmingly exceeding the seats available each year. This year, we expect about 165,000 Singaporeans to be able to watch the two previews and the parade on the actual day, or three times more than past NDPs, at the Marina Bay Floating Platform or the Padang. This is facilitated by the larger seating capacity of the National Stadium as well as the additional preview session. Indeed, the Pioneer Generation should be honoured and thanked for their sacrifices, achievements and immense contributions for building the Singapore we know and have today. However, as a national celebration for all Singaporeans, it is important that every Singaporean be given an equal chance to attend the NDP. We are mindful that preferential allocation of tickets would not be in line with this intent to include all Singaporeans as part of the nation's birthday. As it is, while the number of available tickets has increased, so will the number of applicants and it is inevitable that many will still be disappointed. To give greater priority to the Pioneer Generation, or about 450,000 Singaporeans, will lead to reduced chances for other Singaporeans. So, the NDP Executive Committee (ExCo) endeavours to include as many Singaporeans as possible to experience NDP. As with previous NDPs, live telecast will also allow Singaporeans to watch the show at home. Singaporeans can also look forward to participating in NDP through the engagement efforts which the ExCo will unveil in the coming months.”
“Programmes, such as the "Commandos" documentary series, "Women in the SAF" and "SAF Pioneers" were all well-received. We are heartened that Singaporeans' commitment to defence remains strong, and we will continue to share more of our stories in the coming year. After 50 years of nationhood, the threats we are facing have evolved, but so have our responses. The future is uncertain, but I am confident that if we see ourselves, first and foremost, as one people and have the resolve to work together to strengthen our military, civil, economic, social and psychological defences, we, as a society, will be resilient enough for any challenge that comes our way. 3.30 pm”