Ng Eng Hen
Singapore
“I think we try to keep this virtuous state of affairs as long as we can to make sure that we can invest steadily. Year-to-year fluctuations would occur, whether it is economic, not so much in COVID-19, but remember the Global Financial Crisis? Everybody needs to take a haircut. If you have to take a haircut, you have to take a haircut.”
“Mr Chairman, as the World around us becomes more unpredictable and changes, the more we need to keep the strongest commitment to strengthen our own defences and, if needed, we must be willing to do more. Singapore celebrates 60 years of Independence this year.”
“MINDEF will continue to work with partners to encourage Singaporeans to raise their digital literacy, develop and maintain good cybersecurity habits, protect sensitive data and guard against scams, fake news and disinformation so as to make the digital domain a safer and more secure space.”
“The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) conducts regular mobilisation exercises (MOBEX) of our National Service (NS) forces. In a silent mobilisation, NSmen are notified through their personal contact numbers. Open mobilisations include the broadcast of unit code-words through mass media.”
“In 2020, the Ministry of Defence replied to a Parliamentary Question on this matter that the relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) would likely occur around 2030 or beyond, after Changi Air Base and Tengah Air Base have been expanded to house the existing assets at PLAB.”
“When incidents or near-misses happen, as it did where one Hunter armoured fighting vehicle rear-ended another during Exercise Wallaby in Australia, thorough investigations are conducted and lessons learnt shared across the units.”
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“You presided over this House with adroitness, attentiveness, patience and firmness delicately applied. The result was smooth proceedings and business completed on time. Madam, this House thanks you and I am sure that I speak on behalf of all Members in expressing our admiration at how quickly and assuredly you have assumed your role as Speaker. Mdm Speaker, our thanks also go to the staff of the Secretariat for their support and assistance. We appreciate the forbearance shown by you and your Deputies in listening to hundreds of speeches these last two weeks. We trust that the withdrawal symptoms from not having to listen to any of us, at least for a while, will not be too difficult to bear.”
“" On concrete provisions – "more hospitals, polyclinics, childcare and kindergartens, cycling paths and better bus services, MND's vision of cheaper, faster and better housing options for singles and married couples, less expensive healthcare and childcare, hawker rentals, the power of ‘free' – free museums and maybe even free MRT rides for some, higher levies and Page: 113 restrictions on foreign workers, higher taxes on cars and housing investments." On fears – "SMEs squeezed, economic restructuring doubts, our ageing population, fiscal health in the future." These preoccupations reflect a nation paying more attention inwardly, appropriately making sharp adjustments to catch up with infrastructure needs and rising cost of living, but also preparing ahead for a slowing economy and an ageing population. If in the past, our country was like that of a young man springing along with boundless energy, Singapore is now moving at a much more measured pace, a mature adult conscious of his or her limitations. Singapore has moved into a new and unchartered phase. With speeches read, the Budget passed and directions set, what now? To work, of course, and our raison d'être. As Government and Members of Parliament, we must commit to the task of doing things well, to ensure that policies get implemented correctly to improve the lives of Singaporeans and to speak up if they are not. At the same time, we need to remain watchful that external forces do not overtake us. We must not mistake ourselves to be the centre around which the world revolves, lest we quickly and ruefully realise that we are not. Mdm Speaker, this Budget session was also a first for you in that Chair, although no one would have guessed.”
“Mdm Speaker, over the last nine days, from 11 am or noon, and ending past 7.30 pm for many days, Members in this House have debated extensively and finally approved the Government's fiscal plans for this year. Four hundred and eighty three amendments were filed, an increase of 7% from last year. Even "cuts", it seems, are not immune to inflation. Through our debates, we have scrutinised the intricacies of our nation and the daily lives of our people. We have pushed hard for more help to those in need or in trouble, the less privileged, unfortunate and marginalised in our society. This was a first Budget for the newly created Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth but the second in this term of Government. With experience, new Members and office-bearers were more assured and forceful in their speeches this year. Overall, the quality of debate, the civility and demeanour displayed speak well of our legislature. Let us maintain this high standard. But the art of the succinct can be honed – compress our speeches for greater impact – both for the front and backbenchers. Beyond the nitty-gritty, it is worthwhile to ask at the end of our debates, what does this Budget really mean for Singapore and Singaporeans? How did it impact their lives for a better Singapore? Where is Singapore headed? Quo vadis? Prominent headlines and themes provide snapshot answers to these questions. On ideas and vision – "a Robin Hood budget, wealth re-distribution, closing the income gap, hikes on social spending, economic transformation, quality growth, Singaporean Core, Singaporean identity.”
“Mr Deptuy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2013/2014, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Sir, may I seek your consent to move that progress be reported now and leave be asked to sit again tomorrow? Page: 188”
“I am open to these ideas and what the Member says makes sense. But I also want Members to recognise that we take reference from other militaries with a much longer history. We have an army museum. We have other elements that we can use. What I am trying to say is this is a very sensitive subject. There are countries with a very long history, who have fought real wars. We do not know whether in our history that one day, as we have in the past, we may have to fight another war. I take the grief of individual families but I think we also want to give a certain perspective to the different circumstances of sacrifice and heroism. They mean different things in different contexts. So, we should be a little circumspect because we are still a very young nation. It is not for want of wanting to do it. We certainly want to respond to their acts. Indeed, each injury and each sacrifice is a loss. But I think Members can understand that heroism and sacrifice may mean different things across a country that is 50 years old, across a country that is 200 years old, across a country that is 500 years old.”
“Mr Chairman, I concur with the Member and in previous instances when Members have brought up the topic like Ms Irene Ng. That is certainly an area that MINDEF can pay attention to and improve on. We are trying to learn from other militaries that have to do a lot more of that. Training is a part of it. I would say that the heart of our commanders is there. When each incident happens, the CO, the Brigade Commander up to the Chiefs, the heart Page: 186 is there. In these difficult circumstances, especially when there is a loss of life, sometimes, it takes months and years for them to have closure. We promise to be patient and to walk with them. Some family members, of course, struggle with resentment and doubt, whether SAF could have done more, could have been more transparent, as the Member has rightly pointed out. So, I want to assure the Member that we are sensitive to this and certainly want to improve in this area.”
“Mr Chairman, may I seek your consent to move that the Chairman do leave the Chair, so that I can move a motion to extend the current session before my colleagues reply?”
“Over the last six years, we have deployed close to 500 servicemen to Afghanistan, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The experience gained by our soldiers has been invaluable and we have incorporated lessons learnt into our operational doctrines and practices. Singapore will be completing our mission in Afghanistan by June this year. Our deployments to Afghanistan have supported the larger international efforts to prevent extremists from using Afghanistan as a base to export terrorism, including to our region, and Singaporeans can be proud of our contributions to this effort. Page: 169 As for the Gulf of Aden, the SAF has taken over command of CTF 151 for a third time until June as part of our contributions against international piracy. Ms Ellen Lee is correct that this made a difference because piracy attacks have come down. Mdm Chair, our strong defence today is a result of continuous and strong support from Members of this House and from Singaporeans alike to build a credible SAF. A strong defence is the bedrock upon which Singapore's peace and prosperity rest. We must continue to strengthen NS to build a solid defence. There are some questions which Members have asked. But I will defer these to after further questions, and allow my colleagues, Senior Minister of State Chan Chun Sing and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Maliki, to respond.”
“Our F-16s, F-15s and Apache helicopters train extensively in the US because they have a larger training space. Just a tidbit of information – the training air space our F-15s have in the US is 100 times the size of Singapore. Ms Ellen Lee asked about the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). This is in line with the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement, which our neighbours understand. The LCS will be deployed to Singapore on a rotational basis. The first will arrive next month. It will not be based here, but will sail out, make port calls in the region, and engage other regional navies. Our defence relationships with China are warm and friendly. I met Chinese leaders – then-Vice President Xi Jinping and Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie – during my visit there last year. Both Vice President Xi and General Liang have expressed confidence that the defence relationship between China and Singapore could be further enhanced through high-level strategic dialogues, as well as interactions and exercises, including exchanges between young officers. We are following up with specific programmes to achieve this. Our ties with partners such as Brunei, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, India, France and Germany remain strong. I am happy to report that we renewed the Air Force Bilateral Agreement with India last year. This allows the RSAF to continue joint military training in India with the Indian Air Force until 2017. We also renewed the Oakey Agreement with Australia, which allows the RSAF to continue its helicopter training in Australia until 2027. Ms Ellen Lee also asked about our contributions to Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden. Thank you for saying that our SAF has done a wonderful job; I think they will appreciate that.”
“I also informed the House previously that we would start an SAF Inspectorate for safety. On further review, we have decided to elevate this SAF Inspectorate to a Directorate for Safety and Systems Review. As a Directorate, it will report directly to the Permanent Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force. The Directorate will also set up external review panels which will submit recommendations to the Minister for Defence. The first external review panel will be on training safety, and will include experts and professionals from outside the SAF to validate the safety practices in our units and determine if they match up with best practices of industries and other militaries. We decided to do this because rather than ad hoc committees formed after incidents occur, this standing panel will provide oversight and direction for the longer term. This way, it will be more impactful. Ms Ellen Lee and Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about our bilateral defence relations with our neighbours and key partners. Our relations with our neighbours are excellent. For Malaysia, we have regular tri-service interactions all the way from the Minister to rank-and-file. Last year, I met my counterpart, Minister Zahid Hamidi, six or seven times. He is recently a little bit busy, so I will wait until he is less busy to meet him again. 6.45 pm We have also reinforced our strong and close relationship with Indonesia in the past year. We held our first bilateral joint level counter-terrorism exercise last year and co-hosted the first ASEAN Maritime Security Information-Sharing Exercise. Page: 168 Some asked about our defence ties with other partners. Our defence ties with the US are strong, multi-faceted and mutually beneficial.”
“If we do this well, NS will have strong support for many years to come. To achieve these purposes, we want to include in the Committee and Working Groups members with a good appreciation of the issues so as to provide good, workable and affordable ideas to strengthen NS. Good, workable and affordable. Obviously, Members will be included and I hope you will not turn us down. We intend to consult widely with various groups of Singaporeans. We hope to complete the Committee's work within a year. Let me now address other issues or update Members. Since the last time we met, there have been safety concerns. I updated the House in November 2012 and there have been some developments, and I thought I would just quickly update Members. We recently started the SAF Care Fund to allow the public to show their support for severely disabled servicemen. Thus far, we have received $1 million in contributions, mainly through the generosity of The Lee Foundation. And MINDEF will provide a one-to-one matching grant of up to $2.5 million to support this effort. We intend to obtain the Institution of Public Character (IPC) Page: 167 status for this Fund. I have explained before that our compensation and welfare schemes provide significantly higher amounts and assistance than civilian schemes. I want to be clear that we do not detract from our goal to prevent all injuries and death. Let me provide an update in terms of safety measures. I told the House the last time that we wanted to create additional posts for full-time Safety Officers. The first batch of these additional safety officers have been trained and sent to the units and will report directly to their Unit Commanders. This will ensure better compliance with training safety regulations.”
“Some of these issues have been raised by public members as well. To respond to this feedback, I have decided to convene a committee to strengthen NS. It will be called the Committee to Strengthen NS. I will chair the Committee. There will be two working groups. Senior Minister of State Chan Chun Sing will lead the Working Group on Page: 166 "Support for NS" to see how we can maximise the abilities of NSmen for the SAF and help NSmen fulfil their duties. We will also look into increasing support from various groups, such as families, employers, schools, permanent residents, new citizens and the broader community. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Maliki will chair the Working Group on "Recognition and Benefits for NSmen". Some Members, including Mr Zainudin Nordin, had asked about this. I want to say from the outset that I know this Committee will receive many requests. We will be open to views and ideas. But let us agree on common goals to set the Committee in the right direction. Our most important goals are to strengthen Singapore, strengthen NS and the SAF, and serve all Singaporeans, in that order. It is an important order – Singapore first, SAF and NS second, personal interest of all Singaporeans next. Often, it comes in the reverse order but we should set the direction right. The Committee must ensure that NS must still be focused on defending Singapore, that it is fair to all and universally applied, that it must engender a commitment and hopefully love for our country. We should avoid using this as an exercise to serve narrow interests or inflict unnecessary or unfair hardship on any particular group. That would be a negative outcome. This exercise must bring our nation together, not divide us; it must strengthen NS and Singapore, not weaken it.”
“I present awards to those who are our staunchest advocates of NS such as Ya Kun, Canon and URA. If Singaporeans know of specific employers who adopt unfriendly practices at their workplace towards NSmen, please let me know and we will make best efforts to remedy the situation. Despite these demands, I think all Members here support NS. I have not heard a single Member, who, despite the difficulties and the demands placed on NS, say, "Let's relook it". Some of you have shared your own positive NS experience and strongly affirm that NS is part and parcel of being a Singaporean – Mr Ong Teng Koon, Mr Hri Kumar and Mr Pritam Singh. Some of you have suggested that we should make it part of the integration journey for PRs and new citizens, albeit at a reduced level. Mr Pritam Singh mentioned that. Mr Hri Kumar has thought hard on this issue and asked how we can better address those who renounce their PRs, such as through higher penalties or taxes. Whether you agree with specific proposals by various Members or not, it may not be as important as what we can all agree on – that NS is very much a duty and honour for all those who make Singapore our home. That is the starting point. We, in this House, appreciate the commitment of our NSmen and the sacrifices they make. All of us recognise that if we do not defend Singapore ourselves, no one else will. Each of us has to uphold our duty to serve NS. But I also heed your calls that we can do more to match the abilities of our NSmen, increase their engagement and commitment, recognise their efforts and find ways to help them fulfil their NS duties, even on a daily basis. Where we can, we should look into ways to reduce the impact on their studies, work and family commitments. Members here have raised many issues.”
“In building commitment, it surely must be the right direction to maximise the potential and talents of NSmen, and allow them to play a greater role in our national defence. We should study how we can provide more spring-boards for NSmen. Secondly, several Members asked how we can better help our NSmen meet their duties and recognise their efforts. Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Zainudin Nordin and Mr Desmond Lee talked about this. Like them, I am alive to the demands that NS places on our NSmen. Members here send many letters of appeals to MINDEF or to me on behalf of their residents. I read them and we look at them. Some examples. A Mr Yu has dutifully served his in-camp trainings (ICTs). But his next ICT coincided with the first month on a new job. Another Mr Charles needed to look after his mother who was receiving cancer treatment. In these deserving cases, we granted them deferment from their ICT. But I acknowledge that many do not get excused because their Commanding Officer (CO), who is also an NSman, has decided that the individuals who asked for deferment are needed to get his unit operationally ready. We should support these COs because we entrusted them with the responsibility. This House, Singaporeans entrusted the CO with the responsibility to get his unit operationally ready. And sometimes, he has to Page: 165 make that difficult decision when people ask for deferment. Members like Asst Prof Eugene Tan and Mr Hri Kumar in recent debates have also pointed out that some employers seem to discriminate against NSmen in their work. I know that this complaint upsets all Members in this House. It undermines a strong NS. MINDEF will work harder to reach out to more employers. Each year, we work hard to motivate employers to support NS.”
“In the Finnish system, NSmen can indicate how they want to serve in their NS. You decide what you want to do. You have a choice of vocation. It does not end up in their system with NSmen only choosing the less demanding roles or the least demanding roles. Indeed, some choose more demanding roles such as pilots, intelligence officers, special forces and so on. Some choose to be officers or to be in vocations that lengthen their NS period. If you choose a particular vocation, you require more training, you are Page: 164 required to serve longer and they choose it! This is a different organising principle in their society that explains their NS and education system. If I can characterise it, there is a first hurdle in their system that all must cross to make sure that standards do not slip. Beyond that, the approach is "spring-boards to success, not hurdles". You choose how high you want to go and the spring-board will be provided. Now, not all will jump gracefully. The dives would not be spectacular for some, but this approach encourages NSmen to go higher and contribute more. Singapore is obviously not Finland. We have a different culture, security risks, needs and people. Compared to us, they are a much older society, a long history and certainly more homogenous. Comparing our NS systems, we have certain strengths and weaknesses, and they have theirs. I think we must adopt and adapt what we think are good practices from other systems to improve ours. In fact, the SAF already has a similar practice where we ask full-time NSmen to indicate if they want to become commanders after they go through their Basic Military Training. And I will tell you that the majority want to become commanders.”
“But he feels fit and wants to be in the combat vocation and, in fact, wants to be an infantry officer. Such appeals are few. We do get more appeals from NSFs who want to use their talents in music, the arts, dance and sports during NS. But the details are not as important as the main challenge, which is that if our NSmen feel their abilities are being put to the best of use and if they believe in what they are fighting for, it will engender greater commitment and contributions in building a stronger SAF. We may not be able to satisfy all their requests. In fact, we would not be able to satisfy all requests. I quite expect after saying this that I would get a deluge of requests from a variety of NSmen who want to use their multi-talents to help the SAF. We may not be able to satisfy all of them. At the end of the day, we recognise that the SAF must be operationally-ready and fighting fit. But I believe that NSmen can and want to play a larger role in our SAF and the commitment is there. Many here are good examples of this already. Mr Teo Siong Seng and Mr Zaqy Mohamad who have completed their ORNS. Mr Zaqy Mohamad is only 38. I asked him how come he has completed his ORNS. He said that he has done 10 cycles – each year one. So, he has completed it. Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Dr Chia Shi-Lu now serving in the Navy; Mr Nicholas Fang, Mr Vikram Nair and Mr Pritam Singh in the Army; and Mr Desmond Lee in the Air Force. We often cite Finland for its strong education system. I visited Finland many times to study them. I will give you a tip. You can go in winter and summer. It is actually only very cold or very, very cold. It makes very little difference. But worth studying. Less is known that, like us, the Finns also have NS. I think Dr Lim Wee Kiak mentioned it.”
“My family and I spent a very nice holiday in Sabah one or two years ago – ldyllic. From mountain to sea within two hours. The base camp of Kota Kinabalu – very tranquil. The best goreng pisang I have tasted in a long time because they used a special kind of banana. Mee goreng also, as they say, very sedap. Then you take a ride to the sea. World Heritage sites that you can dive into; from the shore, natural corals. Who could have predicted that a few hundred gunmen with rifles and grenade launchers would go into Sabah? For the SAF, we have to ensure that above all, our NSmen, who form its "backbone", are capable and have the resolve to defend Singapore, if ever similar circumstances fall upon us. This is why we must keep NS strong. 6.30 pm So, how do we ensure that our NSmen continue to have the commitment and capabilities to defend Singapore? We talk about how the SAF has transformed itself into the third generation (3G) SAF. But as Members here have pointed out, we should be mindful that at the same time, Singapore itself has been transformed – a 3G Singapore. A very different one from that when NS was started 45 years ago. The city, the people, the values, the aspirations are not the same. Page: 163 Younger Singaporeans, our NSmen today are indeed more educated and talented. More PRs will serve NS. We have to respond to these changes and ensure that the commitment of a new generation of NSmen remains strong. At the same time, we must find ways to use their abilities more effectively in the SAF. Mr Desmond Lee is correct – meaningful roles that match their capabilities. I received an appeal recently. A young man going into full-time NS was downgraded because his X-rays showed some early changes in his spine. He had some back pain so he went for an MRI.”
“MINDEF will have to be satisfied that this state-of-the-art multi-role fighter meets our long-term needs, is on track to be operationally capable and, most importantly, is a cost-effective platform. I have given many necessary caveats before we make a final decision but we are evaluating the platform. Again planning ahead, MINDEF is also looking to replace our ageing Challenger-class submarines which were built in the 1960s. The replacement submarines will have significantly improved capabilities and will enhance our ability to keep our sea lines of communications safe. Page: 162 Our plans for new fighters, submarines, the Army's recently operationalised Leopard tanks and Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles, the Air Force's G550 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft and the Navy's Formidable-class frigates with Sikorsky naval helicopters – taken together – will ensure that the SAF remains a credible and effective force to serve our defence needs for the next decade or two. Many Members here have said and I agree with them, even if we have the most sophisticated platforms and systems, ultimately our defences are only as strong as the resolve and commitment of our people to defend Singapore and our way of life. In fact, I think we ought to be wary of complacency because we have a technologically advanced SAF. The temptation is always that because it is so sophisticated, you do not need the man in the loop and that will be a tragic and costly mistake. Or to think that the peace in our neighbourhood is a given. The security in our region can turn unpredictably. A decade ago, no one could predict that the territorial disputes would escalate tensions in the South China Sea, or that a few hundred gunmen with rifles and grenade launchers would intrude into eastern Sabah.”
“There are three crucial factors: steady, prudent defence spending; capable and committed SAF soldiers; the use of advanced technology. These three crucial factors have allowed us to build a credible defence force despite the unique vulnerabilities of a small country. When we started, no one believed we could build a credible defence force. These are the reasons why our frigates can operate with about 70 men, half that in other navies. Or why our High Mobility Artillery Rocket System needs a crew of only three men, compared to eight for other artillery systems which are shorter ranged and less accurate. Investing steadily over the long term allows MINDEF to keep a constant lookout for platforms with cutting-edge capabilities that can provide Singapore with that strategic advantage. For this reason, we joined the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Programme as a Security Cooperation Participant (SCP) back in 2004. The JSF, as some Members know, now the F-35, has the potential to be the most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft for decades to come. Though the F-35 is still in development, we are nonetheless interested in the platform for our future needs. The F-35 will be the vanguard of next generation fighter aircraft when operational. Our F-5s are nearing the end of their operational life and our F-16s are at their midway mark. For the longer term, the RSAF has identified the F-35 as a suitable aircraft to further modernise our fighter fleet. We are now in the final stages of evaluating the F-35. So, in the interest of transparency, I am telling Members that we are now in the final stages of evaluating the F-35.”
“As Dr Lim Wee Kiak said, yes, we have the larger share in terms of resources, whether it is manpower or finances and we agree; we recognise it. But steady defence spending allows MINDEF to plan long term and avoid disruptive changes arising from fluctuating expenditure year to year. This is why MINDEF is able to make opportunity buys of strategic assets in the past and optimise our training systems because we can plan longer term. Our defence expenditure, including this year's, has grown steadily in nominal terms but kept pace more or less in real terms – by about 4% nominal growth annually, on average, over the last decade. Mdm Chair, the SAF has come a long way since it was stood up. Then, when the SAF was stood up, we had only two infantry battalions, a couple of naval patrol craft that we inherited from the British, and no air force to speak of. Today, the SAF is a professional and integrated defence force capable of responding to a range of traditional and unconventional threats. Jane's Defence Weekly – I think Ms Sylvia Lim mentioned this – a reputable defence publication commented that "the SAF of [today is] by far the most advanced military force in Southeast Asia." This was not achieved overnight. It is the result of the steady commitment to defence and 45 years of NS, which Mr Ong Teng Koon highlighted. The success and progress of the SAF has been built through the sweat and sacrifices of committed NSmen led by bright, dedicated and capable commanders. I fully Page: 161 recognise that the SAF takes its fair, some say unfair, share of bright people and long may it be so because it is important. The SAF leverages on advanced technology to modernise our equipment and systems, and to multiply our capabilities.”
“Absolute numbers. Some Members have rightly pointed out the reason. As their economies grow, countries in the region are modernising their militaries, procuring new fighters, submarines and armoured vehicles. In this context, ASEAN and extra-regional countries must do our utmost to ensure that the region remains peaceful and stable. This was a point that Dr Lim Wee Kiak made, especially with US and China. Amid these tensions, MINDEF is working hard within the platforms that Members mentioned – the ADMM, the ADMM-Plus, the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and other bilateral or multilateral platforms – because we want to improve military-to-military relations to build Page: 160 confidence and reduce the risks of miscalculation. Some Members have asked for an update on the ADMM-Plus. A major effort this year is the ADMM-Plus disaster relief and military medicine exercise hosted by Brunei, which is the Chair of ASEAN. I am happy to report that when we floated this idea, both the US and China are actively contributing to the exercise, and this is occurring amid their renewed leadership. We have actually full support and participation from militaries of 18 nations – 10 plus eight – and this is very encouraging because it strengthens the ADMM-Plus as a platform for strategic dialogue and practical cooperation. The point is, as a small country, Singapore's external environment sets our defence posture. Asia's defence spending on the whole, as I have cited, has risen considerably. Singapore is monitoring this trend closely, but for now, I think we can continue to avoid sharp increases or dips in our own defence spending. This is the most effective way in stretching each defence dollar as it allows MINDEF to plan long term.”
“Mdm Chair, please let me thank Members of the House for their very incisive questions and comments, and I thank them overall for their continued support to build up a solid defence for Singapore. Members have asked many difficult questions on wide-ranging topics. I do not think it is possible within the short time that we have to address all the affairs of the world, so we will try to address the substantive questions that Members have asked. Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Ms Ellen Lee asked for an update on the security situation in our region. I think they have summarised it very well. There are increasing tensions in the South and East China Seas. The South China Sea is in our backyard and Singapore will not be able to avoid the consequences if this region becomes more troubled, or worse still, when missteps are made. Further away, as Members have pointed out, North Korea has threatened to void its 1953 armistice agreement with South Korea, after the UN Security Council imposed additional sanctions. Members have touched on the recent intrusion into Sabah by armed followers of the purported heir to the former Sulu Sultanate. I think this episode reminds us that security challenges can be unpredictable and precipitous. No, the Malaysians have not asked for our help. I think they are well capable of taking care of their defence challenges. Against this backdrop, I think it is more important for us to understand that the Asian countries have increased their defence spending. The figures are quite telling. Over the last decade, Asian countries spent US$305 billion on defence, up from US$177 billion before – a 72% increase compared to a 12% increase in Europe over the same time period. Indeed, by one estimate, Asia's military spending is said to have overtaken Europe's in 2012.”
“Can I beg leave for you to leave the Chair so that I can move a Motion to allow the Minister of State to Page: 167 complete his reply?”
“May I seek your consent to move that the Chairman do leave the Chair, so that I can move a motion to take the proceedings on the business of Supply today beyond 7.30 pm?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the debate be now adjourned.”
“Mdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that the time limit be removed in respect of Minister Grace Fu's speech.”
“Madam, I beg to move that the debate be now adjourned. [(proc text) Resolved, that the debate be now adjourned. – [Dr Ng Eng Hen]. (proc text)]”
“Mdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that the proceedings on the next item under Deputy Prime Minister Teo be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 48(8) to remove the time limit?”
“Mdm Speaker, MINDEF obviously shares those concerns. Every time an incident happens, we have to review the system and make sure that it is robust. On the other hand, we have to benchmark ourselves in terms of the number of injuries and deaths, against something that we can objectively measure. I would say that, as a general benchmark, our rates are fairly low, whether it is for the various services or across the board. Having said that, we are always striving for "nil" incidents. Each time something happens, we will just have to continue to strengthen the system. Do the recent incidents reflect an attitude? This is certainly something that we do not want to happen and that is why we have taken certain steps, as I have made known in my Ministerial Statement the last time Parliament sat, about how we are stepping up the safety culture and we will continue to monitor this very carefully.”
“Is it a result of a failure in the officers and men and women of the SAF to internalise this training safety and health culture? Or, could it be that issues, such as training safety and health, although being measured, are perhaps not being measured enough such that the commanders and officers tend not to pay sufficient attention? I think there is concern about the frequency and extent of service injuries in recent times.”
“Madam, the safety and health of our soldiers are of utmost importance to the SAF. The SAF holds our commanders to high standards of safety and health in their units. The Member has asked for the annual performance scheme, and I will tell him that the appraisal of our commanders includes an assessment of how well their units meet standards in safety and health. Those who uphold high standards are duly recognised. If commanders or their units are found to have unsatisfactory safety or health standards, they not only receive poor performance appraisals, but it is something docked against them. Commanders who flout safety rules or allow unsafe practices are also dealt with seriously. The annual Best Unit Competition has always assessed units in the areas of safety and health. In this regard, our units are audited annually on training safety, occupational safety and health, and motor-transport safety. So, to be able to participate in the Best Unit Competition, units must achieve a high safety Page: 36 score of at least 90%. This applies to both active and NS units. Beyond using safety as a key performance indicator, for our commanders and our units, we have always emphasised the importance of a strong safety culture. Units are encouraged to report near-misses, unsafe practices and safety breaches. Commanders have been reminded, and are reminded often, that safety is a command responsibility. Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene (Nominated Member): Madam, I thank the Minister for his reply, especially his assurance that safety and health issues are taken seriously by MINDEF. But what I fail to understand is that, despite all these measures, we have training accidents which are fairly severe in nature.”
“Madam, yes, it extends to all NSmen and we have a structure in which there is an appeal board. So, if families and servicemen who are affected have queries about the amount, this compensation appeal board will listen to their case.”
“Madam, I understand the Member's concerns. I would say that it is not fixed. The base layer is compatible with what we have for the workmen's compensation. So, it was adopted based on that, and even the workmen's compensation moves. But over and above that, as I said, we have additional amounts. So, if it is due to service, the amounts are doubled. On top Page: 35 of that, we have additional grants and financial and compensation schemes. So, I would say that, in general, it is much more generous than the base layer. But, obviously, we do review it from time to time.”
“I must first qualify that investigations have not been completed and there are a number of causes. One of the preliminary findings is that there were some failures in that, but there were other causes. But I can say that ME2 Jason Chee's injury was due to service and he will be compensated on that basis.”
“Some Members will know that ME2 Jason Chee, a Navy serviceman who was seriously injured as a result of an incident on 10 December last year. ME2 Jason Chee will receive full support from the various schemes that I have talked about. Following the incident, we have witnessed many acts of compassion by fellow Singaporeans. Many have expressed condolences, donated blood and monetary contributions to help in the long-term care of ME2 Chee and his family. I am deeply touched and thankful for this outpouring of public support for our servicemen. This strong public support for our injured servicemen will go a long way in strengthening their resolve and the resolve of our armed forces as they do their duty in defending Singapore.”
“Mdm Speaker, first, let me thank the Member for his concern over the care and rehabilitation of our injured servicemen. Unfortunately, every military force will encounter death and disability among its servicemen. It is, therefore, important that our compensation and welfare frameworks provide the necessary assistance and support to affected servicemen and their families. Let me explain our compensation and welfare frameworks. First, MINDEF will pay for all medical expenses for treatment of injured servicemen at Government and restructured hospitals or clinics. This includes the costs of medical supplies and equipment, counselling and psychiatric care for as long as required by the servicemen. Second, injured servicemen will receive lump sum compensation based on the degree of permanent disability sustained. The amount is doubled for disabilities that resulted during military training or operations. Additional amounts are also provided to servicemen who have total permanent disability for their constant care. Third, the SAF will aim to re-deploy disabled servicemen to vocations that fit their abilities. Fourthly, the SAF Benevolent Fund provides discretionary amounts in welfare support to our injured servicemen and their families. For example, a Page: 34 serviceman with total permanent disability will receive a one-off grant, as well as a monthly allowance for at least three years. In summary, MINDEF has frameworks in place to provide financial compensation and welfare support for disabled servicemen to take care of their healthcare, long-term rehabilitation and daily needs, as well as assist their families financially. The amounts are significantly higher than that disbursed under the Work Injury Compensation Act and the civil courts.”
“The peace and security of our region is worrisome as tensions continue in the South China Sea, East China Sea and beyond. Together, we have achieved much in the past but Singapore's continued prosperity and progress is not and has never been a given. Amid these challenges, we in this House must ably guide Singaporeans to choose wisely for our future to maintain, if not improve, our standard of living. There will be crucial national issues put before us and difficult decisions to make. We must expect vigorous debates to balance the trade-offs with different choices. Mdm Speaker, in all of this, we expect your firm and impartial hand that will move our debates and deliberations towards fruitful and expeditious outcomes. In this, your task will be simpler if all Members remember to keep their speeches short and to the point. Mdm Speaker, we look forward to your leadership and contributions in the years ahead. This House must quickly gear itself up for much work that lay ahead of us.”
“He was diligent, proactive and effectively presided over our various Select Committees including the Special Select Committee on Nominations for Appointment as Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs), through which the first batch of nine Nominated Members of Parliament of the Twelfth Parliament were nominated to the President for appointment. Mr Palmer has said that he is "deeply sorry" to everyone who believed in him and supported him. On behalf of this House, I express our hope that Mr Palmer can redress his mistakes and rebuild his life. We wish him well. Mdm Speaker, we will now need to look forward and focus on important national issues before this House. Indeed, Parliament has its work cut out for its remaining session. Over the next few months, we will debate the Population White Paper, the Budget and Estimates in the Committee of Supply. Singapore is at the cusp of transition as we face impending and difficult challenges, particularly from the effects of an ageing population coupled with low fertility rates. With more elderly Singaporeans, we must step up our social services and health care. For the first time in our history, the citizen workforce will shrink from 2020. Limits of land and labour will increasingly constrain our growth. We will have to adjust to lower growth rates compared to the last two decades. Against this, a more educated population has higher aspirations for jobs, wages and quality of living that we must satisfy. Our ASEAN neighbours, with their younger populations, abundant labour and natural resources will grow faster than us and give Singapore stiff competition for investments. The external Page: 13 environment remains uncertain with weak US, Europe and Japanese economies.”
“Madam, while your election as Speaker is a propitious event, it has been precipitated by regrettable circumstances when your immediate predecessor, Mr Michael Palmer, resigned as a Member of Parliament and, therefore, under our Constitution, ceased to be the Speaker. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Palmer explained that he resigned to "take full responsibility for a grave mistake that he had committed" as he had had an improper relationship with a Page: 12 grassroots staff. Mr Palmer apologised deeply for his actions. Madam, I am sure that all Members of this House are disappointed and saddened by the events that led to Mr Palmer's resignation. As Mr Palmer himself acknowledged in his statement, he resigned as a Member in order to avoid further embarrassment to Parliament. The Prime Minister had replied to him that "MPs must uphold the highest standards of personal conduct". As elected representatives of our people, we are all public figures, and must uphold standards of propriety that can match up to the moral and ethical norms and expectations of our society. Nevertheless, I think this House would also agree with the Prime Minister in his assessment that, as Speaker from October 2011 to December 2012, Mr Palmer had "presided over proceedings in the House with dignity and a sure touch… and won the respect of Ministers and backbenchers alike". Indeed, I found Mr Palmer an able Speaker who moved proceedings smoothly, where all Members were given equal opportunities to air their views.”
“Mdm Speaker, this House congratulates you on your election as the ninth Speaker of Parliament. I utter those words "Mdm Speaker" for the first time in this House. All of us are, of course, delighted that a lady now sits in that Chair. Madam, you are well suited to preside over this House. Elected as a Member of Parliament in 2001, you quickly gained a formidable reputation as an active and ardent backbencher and NTUC union leader. In that role, you championed the rights and well-being of our workers, especially against their unfair treatment, low wages and discriminatory practices. Your passion extended to alleviating hardships faced by women, families and children. You pushed fervently for more help to salvage broken families and, particularly, so that their children could climb out of the poverty trap. It seemed, therefore, a natural fit when the Prime Minister appointed you as a Minister of State for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2011, now the Ministry of Social and Family Development. This House may have then lost an effective backbencher but Singaporeans gained when you, as an office holder, continued to roll out policies that helped our elderly, the poor and needy, as well as strengthened social services for children and families. While we will now miss your contributions in Government, your deep experience in both the back and front benches, together with your legal training, equip you admirably to be an effective Speaker. This House is, therefore, fully confident that you will preside over its proceedings with impartiality and maintain the high standards of this Parliament. In turn, all Members pledge that we will conduct ourselves with dignity and decorum always, even in heated debate.”
“And we want to assure the families that we give safety top priority so that their sons, husbands and brothers can return to them safely after their NS training. Page: 1260”
“The answer is, no, it is not a matter of procedure. The overriding principle is one of fastest evacuation to a facility that has the capabilities to resuscitate the injured. The Member would, of course, be aware that time is of the essence. For example, whether they are bleeding or they have an airway obstruction. And some of the trips back to, say a hospital, may take a longer time. And so the principle is they will be evacuated to the nearest either medical centre or hospital facilities which can provide that resuscitation. Sir, I want to just comment that while we have shared these findings with the House, we know that the loss of any servicemen is deeply distressing, and what we say here will never fully comfort their grieving families. I think it will be especially difficult when servicemen lose their lives under circumstances that could have been prevented. I want to assure this House and members of the public that – some Members mentioned restoring confidence and I think Member Seah Kian Peng made that point – the first step is, as Member Low Thia Khiang said, to be open, to be transparent, to leave no stone unturned to discover why and how it happened. And then correct the lapses and continue to report to the public and to families the measures that we have taken and the progress of these measures. I know that this is not a one-off exercise that we conduct; this is a long-term exercise that we need to inculcate a better safety culture. I want to assure this House that SAF will learn from this and put things right. After all that is said and done, I think what will show is what happens on the ground that will give confidence to our men.”
“Sir, the Member asked if there has been any study conducted to suggest the trend that safety standards have dropped. No, there is not, but I do not need the study to act. I think once we have an incident, we put in place these measures that I talked about. The Member's point about Friday, I would have to check that up, but if that is true, I think that is a useful point. The Member also talked about the number of deaths, whether we could make the release of BOIs and COIs routine. I would have to say that of the two deaths that I talked about each year, the majority of them are not in these cases where there are clear breaches of safety instructions. Some of them were really medically related. For example, cardiomyopathy or viral infections – which when after the COI has ascertained all the facts and whether we could have done anything different, and we have asked the medical specialist board – the answer is, no. That is the extent of our technological ability and its inability to just determine before the incident whether anything could have been done to prevent it. Some were acts of God, for example, like the tree falling on the soldier outside the training grounds, and completely unforecasted or hard to predict. But when it comes to cases which are of public interest and significance, the SAF and MINDEF will share these cases, as I am doing for these two cases in this House.”
“The COI concluded this from interviews with servicemen. It was on various aspects. One, in terms of the vehicle safety management. It was in response to whether conducting officers checked whether drivers were licensed in the first place. Two, their procedures in terms of vehicular movements in the training field. And I would agree with the COI in terms of that conclusion. Independently, the Army Safety Inspectorate has done a review of that, and recommended to SAF, MINDEF, the removal of certain personalities from command. And as I have mentioned, the SAF has acted on that.”
“Indeed that is one of the main tasks for the SAF Inspectorate. The SAF looked at it, and decided it needed an inspectorate that reports directly to the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) for accountability and responsibility, that oversees the three services, and, first of all, inculcates and embeds a high safety culture within the SAF and that inculcates safety habits into individual commanders and men, as well as − what the Member Christopher de Souza has suggested − to just share best practices across Services.”
“In this particular incident, there were two jeeps for the second incident. The jeep which 3SG Tan was in had an unlicensed driver, and they did not wear any helmets or lap belts. The jeep in front of them, all four wore helmets, lap belts and a licensed driver. So, I think, it is an isolated incident but, nonetheless, we want to continue to step up checks and make sure that that kind of lax attitude towards safety regulations does not spread.”
“Sir, the Member asked about what the trends were. I do not have all the figures here. Let me just say that it is related to the second question on the open reporting culture, which means that not only do we want to encourage them to be conscious of safety regulation breaches, but even when they have followed safety regulations and there are near-misses, as the Member said, in countries or agencies with good safety culture, that an open reporting system is, indeed, the hallmark of one. And we have started that. The Army established a safety hotline in November 2011, where soldiers can ring the hotline and report safety problems. And since then, in nearly a year, we have received about 100 calls. They report, exactly as the Member said, unsafe practices, near misses or safety hazards. So, we will continue to encourage that. In addition to the Army hotline, there are "1800" numbers, so that we want to have an open reporting system. The Member also asked if what happened in the Combat Intelligence School was a systemic one, and that was the question we ourselves asked in MINDEF. Was this just an isolated incident or was this one example of a systemic problem? The Chief of Army has assured me that this is an isolated problem. His assurance or his judgement is based on the Army Safety Inspectorate that does routine inspections. My other source of assurance is the fact, in terms of our training or vehicle accident rate, it is fairly low, it is something in the order of 0.5 to 0.6 accidents per 100 thousand kilometres. Now, that is not a sure sign, and I know some Members will say maybe, "They do not report it". But be that as it may, it gives you a rough gauge of the accident rate, which is fairly low. And also, my fourth assurance is what the COI uncovered.”
“Sir, with regard to the first question, it will follow due process, where the Chief Military Prosecutor will decide, based on the investigations, if the case is to be put to the General Court Martial. In an independent track, on the parallel track, the Police investigations will then be submitted to decide whether there will be civil prosecution. In addition, the coroner may decide to hold an open inquiry, and that will take its course. So, while we want closure to the aspects, I think we want to also ensure that due process is followed. For the second question: here, we have been very clear, as I have said in my statement, that we do not want to send the impression that realistic training needs to be dangerous training. In fact, that is not the message. It is a false dichotomy. If we look at these two incidents, they are not high-risk training aspects – driving in a jeep, clearing a room in an urban training set-up. Within the SAF, we do much riskier exercises, in that sense – live-firing, we jump off helicopters, we take deep dives. And it is not the risk of that activity that sets the people at risk. It was just disregard for safety instructions. And the message to commanders is, if you disregard safety instructions, you put men at risk, you are not fit for command. Two, realistic training does not have to be unsafe training. In fact, the opposite is true. If you make training conditions safe, soldiers will train with greater confidence.”
“The answer is, yes. There was a safety officer. The Committee of Inquiry ascertained and asked the platoon commander did he know of the Training Safety Regulations. The platoon commander who threw the grenade said he was aware of the training safety conditions, but did not comply with them.”