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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“These impressive strides were achieved because of a strong national defence and united people. These amendments to the SAF Act to establish a fourth service – the Digital and Intelligence Service – will further strengthen our national defence, to build, for the next generation, an even better and stronger Singapore. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“There is no option for the Police to take any other course of action. The present amendment now gives the Police the option to release such arrested persons instead of bringing them before the civil court. This, thus, aligns the SAF Act with Article 9(4) of the Constitution which requires that an arrested person be either released or brought before a Magistrate within 48 hours. Amendments are proposed to section 205A to provide that the regulations made under section 205A(1) may provide for the Armed Forces Council to determine rates and contributions of various superannuation benefits by issuing General Orders. These superannuation benefits refer to the SAVER Plan or Premium Plan for our uniformed Officers, Warrant Officers and Specialists. Section 205C is amended to remove the requirement for a periodic examination of the SAVER-Premium Fund. The SAF Act currently requires an actuarial examination of the SAVER-Premium Fund to be conducted at least once in five years because the fund had a "Defined Benefit" portion. However, with the removal of this portion in 2006, there is no longer such a need. Finally, amendments to enhance training arrangements for the SAF. Since the 1970s, there has been an arrangement between SAF and the Public Utilities Board, for the conduct of military training in certain water catchment areas. We are regularising this and the Military Manoeuvres Act is amended to reflect this. Mdm Deputy Speaker, let me conclude. Singapore and Singaporeans have enjoyed peace and progress these past six decades since our Independence. From an improbable nation, we have defied the odds time and again, to maintain our sovereignty and way of life to become one of the leading cities in Asia.”
“The maximum imprisonment sentence for the same offence committed during peacetime will be increased from two to four years. These changes remove the disparity with the punishment for abetment in the Penal Code. There will be no changes to the penalties for other acts of insubordination. The amendment in section 112(1) is to maintain consistency of punishment powers of the military and civil courts for the same civil offence. Maximum punishments that may be imposed by a military court for a civil offence tried under section 112 are aligned with those which may be awarded by a civil court subsequent to changes in the relevant legislation. For civil offences for which caning can be imposed by a civil court, the military court would be able to impose caning for those same offences. The proposed amendments to section 72(1) on power of a Senior Disciplinary Committee will provide that a senior military expert of or above the rank of ME8, when created, will be subject to the same disciplinary processes as an officer of or above the rank of Brigadier-General. Next, proposed amendments are made to the administrative processes within the SAF Act. Section 129 is amended to allow the Military Court of Appeal to serve court appeal documents via other means, including sending to an electronic mail address designated by the appellant in the notice of appeal. This is already the practice in civil courts; we are just catching up. Section 167 is amended to clarify that suspected deserters arrested by SPF may be released instead of being brought before a civil court. Currently, an SAF serviceman arrested by the Police for Absence Without Official Leave or Desertion shall be taken as soon as possible before a civil court.”
“The fine limit for a Senior Disciplinary Committee under section 72(6)(b)(ii) will similarly be increased from $10,000 to $30,000. These increases also take reference from civilian courts and are similar to the District Courts' fine limit, which is currently set at $30,000 in the Criminal Procedure Code. The maximum fines imposable by Disciplinary Officers in the SAF who deal with minor offences by Summary Trial will also be increased correspondingly. At the lowest tier, a Junior Disciplinary Officer will be able to impose on a soldier of third sergeant rank and below a maximum fine of $600, up from $300. The most senior Disciplinary Officer is the Chief of Defence Force, who will be able to impose a maximum fine of $10,000, up from $6,000. These proposed fine limits do not exceed the Magistrates' Courts' fine limit, which is currently set at $10,000. Sections 68, 69, 70, 70A, 70B, 72(6) and 118(7) are amended to effect the above changes. Next, maximum imprisonment. Section 19 is amended to increase the maximum imprisonment term for the offence of insubordinate behaviour by assaulting a superior officer from five to seven years. The SAF Act currently provides for a maximum five-year imprisonment sentence for any insubordinate behaviour, including the act of assaulting a superior officer. In contrast, the Penal Code provides for a maximum imprisonment sentence of seven years for someone who abets an SAF serviceman in assaulting his superior. Therefore, an inconsistency exists, as the abettor can be punished more harshly than the actual offender. The proposal, therefore, increases the maximum imprisonment sentence for the act of assaulting a superior officer from five to seven years if the act was committed during active service.”
“Designated officers will be authorised by Commissioner SCDF or Commissioner of Police, respectively, to offer composition to offenders who meet the criteria. To effect these changes in the Civil Defence Act 1986, a new section 85A will be inserted to provide for the composition of service offences committed by full-time National Servicemen, NSmen, volunteer ex-NSmen and auxiliary members. Section 70(1) will be amended to provide for the above-mentioned officers to be referred to an authorised composition officer for composition of the offence. Similarly, in the Police Force Act 2004, a new section 84A will be inserted to provide for the composition of disciplinary offences committed by special police officers, which refer to full-time National Servicemen, NSmen, volunteer ex-NSmen and volunteers serving under the Special Constabulary. It also provides for special police officers to be referred to an authorised composition officer for composition of the offence. Just like in the SAF Act, the amendments to the Civil Defence Act 1986 and Police Force Act 2004 will provide that the authorised composition officer is not to be in the same chain of command as the accused serviceman and will ensure that an independent officer assesses the circumstances of the case before making an offer of composition. Next, increase in maximum fines. It is an accepted principle for financial penalties to keep pace with inflation and increases in wages and allowances for adequate deterrence. The fine limits imposable by the Subordinate Military Court under section 118(7) will be increased. The last increase was in 2006. For officers, the maximum fine will increase from $10,000 to $30,000. For soldiers, it will increase from $5,000 to $15,000.”
“The proposed amendments allow for composition fines up to a limit of $5,000, or half of the maximum fine prescribed for the offence, or half the maximum fine that may be imposed for the offence at summary trial, whichever is lowest, to resolve minor offences efficaciously while maintaining deterrence. Designated officers will be authorised by the Armed Forces Council to offer composition to such offenders. To effect these changes, a new section 79A will be created to provide for the composition of military offences. Sections 60 and 62(1) will also be amended to define an "authorised composition officer", and to provide for the disciplinary option to refer an accused serviceman to an authorised composition officer to compound the offence. The new section 79A will provide that the authorised composition officer is not to be in the same chain of command as the accused serviceman. This will ensure that an independent officer assesses the circumstances of the case before making an offer of composition. Presently, service offences committed under the Civil Defence Act 1986 are dealt by a disciplinary officer or the civilian courts, while disciplinary offences committed under the Police Force Act 2004 are dealt by disciplinary proceedings or the civilian courts. Similar to the SAF, there is no option for SCDF or SPF, respectively, to offer composition for minor service or disciplinary offences. Similar to the SAF, the SCDF and SPF propose to allow composition of minor service or disciplinary offences, by paying a composition fine up to a cap of $5,000, or half the maximum fine that is authorised to be imposed by a disciplinary officer, whichever is lower.”
“Second, if court proceedings for a related civil offence are instituted in a civil court before the end of the default limitation period, the three-year limitation period will commence from the date that those proceedings end. If the person is sentenced to imprisonment, detention or reformative training, the limitation period will commence from the date on which the person completes the sentence. If the person is sentenced to imprisonment, detention or reformative training before the end of the default limitation period for any unrelated civil offence, the three-year limitation period will commence from the date on which the person completes the sentence. Fourth, if an arrest warrant was issued before the end of the default limitation period and could not be executed within that period despite all reasonable efforts as the whereabouts of the accused were unknown, the three-year limitation period will commence only on the date the person is arrested. Let me clarify that a serviceman will not be charged in the civil court and military court for the same offence. Any charges in the military court would be for discrete and separate military offences to be dealt with in the military courts after the conclusion of the civil court proceedings. These new time limits for military court trials will also apply to summary trials, in accordance with section 78(3), as the considerations are similar. Let me now move on to composition fines. Currently, all military offences under the SAF Act have to be dealt with either by summary trial or the military courts. There is no option for MINDEF to offer composition for minor military offences.”
“Section 10A of the SAF Act and Article 22(k) of the Constitution are amended to include the CDI as an appointment made by the President acting in her discretion. Madam, I have spoken on the key change for this Bill, but there are quite a number of amendments related to disciplinary and administrative processes and training arrangements, which I will address now. Let me deal with disciplinary provisions. Section 111 is amended to allow the three-year limitation period for the trial of offences in military courts to commence later in certain situations. Let me explain. The SAF Act 1972 currently requires a serviceman to be tried within three years from the date of commission of the offence, or the date of reporting of the offence to a disciplinary officer or a military policeman, whichever is later, after which he can no longer be dealt with under the SAF Act. This is referred to as the default limitation period. However, in some cases where both military and civilian offences have been committed by the same offender, time is required for Police investigations or related civil court proceedings to conclude, so as to allow MINDEF to assess all available and relevant information, before deciding whether to charge a serviceman for a related military offence. To provide this flexibility, the amendments provide for four additional dates from which the three-year limitation period starts to run. First, where Police investigations have commenced for a related civil offence before the end of the default limitation period, therefore, the three-year limitation period will commence from the date those investigations end.”
“For threats to Singapore's internal environment – and this, I am referring to the digital environment, similar to the SAF's support to the whole-of-Government for counter-terrorism – DIS will work closely with the Home Team, CSA and other national agencies to leverage one another's strengths in protecting Singapore's digital networks and providing a strong digital defence. Let me now touch on the key provisions of the Bill which relate to DIS and its leadership. Sections 7(1) and 2(2)(c) are amended to include DIS as a Service under the SAF. This also requires related changes to other Acts to ensure that the legal statutes can be properly applied to DIS soldiers as well. Therefore, section 2(1) of the Interpretation Act 1965 and section 27(5) of the Wills Act 1838 are amended to respectively include DIS in the definition of "military" when used in relation to Singapore's military, and to include in the definition of "soldier", a reference to a DIS serviceman. Section 21(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906 is amended to include DIS within the scope of that provision. The DIS will be led by a Service Chief – the Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service, or CDI in short. Like the Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the CDI will be a member of the Armed Forces Council and have legal powers to discharge his or her duties and authority to lead DIS in times of conflict. Sections 2(1), 8(1), and 8B(2) are amended to effect these changes. Based on the SAF Act and Constitution, the Chief of Defence Force and Service Chiefs are appointed by the President acting in her discretion.”
“For the SAF, it has asked itself this simple question, just as it does if the threat came from air, land or sea: how does it detect, mitigate or repel any potential aggressor, an orchestrated cyber attack by state and non-state actors that mean to do Singapore and Singaporeans harm? The first response, just like the Army, Navy and Air Force, is that it will need a dedicated service to raise, train and sustain cyber troops and capabilities to defend our digital borders. In the digital domain, the fourth service is the force on the frontline, as it should be. We are thankful that hitherto, our intelligence agencies have not detected any campaign against Singapore of that nature in the digital domain. But we should not wait for one and it would be prudent to start and build up the fourth service now. That alone would serve as a deterrent. As with the mission of the three existing services, DIS will ensure Singapore is defended against the full spectrum of threats against potential aggressors. The digital environment is more porous than the physical one, but DIS will be responsible to guard against these aggressors in that domain. For the SAF, DIS will protect its networks and systems and strengthen our soldiers' commitment and resilience in operations. It will also continue to provide accurate, relevant and timely intelligence to support SAF operations and capitalise on cutting-edge digital technologies to advance SAF's digitalisation as a networked force.”
“Apart from states, non-state actors have also recognised that they can use the digital domain to achieve their ends, particularly terror cells. Whether to recruit vulnerable inductees, spread false propaganda, supply funds, procure weapons, sabotage or bypass state security systems, these areas have become standard fare for terrorist networks. From a security perspective, we should ask, "what will be the scale of these digital threats going forward and can they threaten the well-being of citizens and even the entire country?" The questions are, of course, rhetorical and I think every Member here knows and agrees that these threats can only grow and have a very real physical impact on any country that is unprepared. We are all convinced because we have seen for ourselves the many forms of cyber intrusions that develop quickly, even within the past few years. Cyber intrusions can affect many critical systems. Last year, we saw the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack that cut off gas supplies to many South and East Coast states in the United States and disrupted the lives of countless people. Earlier this year in February, a cyber attack on the European telco, Vodafone, restricted cellular communications for millions of people in Portugal. It will be horrendous, but not unthinkable, about the potential fallout from attacks on water systems, hospitals, air traffic, trains, financial systems, pension systems – the list goes on. In fact, cyber threats, disparate in form and source, occur in the thousands, even millions, each day. However, they should be differentiated from the ones that have the most pernicious intent and seek to undermine our nation's sovereignty or security.”
“The role of non-military means of achieving political and strategic goals has grown and, in many cases, they have exceeded the power of force of weapons in their effectiveness." Reflect on this statement. We are all familiar with the dictum "political power grows out of the barrel of the gun". But the "Gerasimov Doctrine" upends it. And he says, "In many cases, the non-military means of achieving political and strategic goals have exceeded the power of the force of weapons". I described this concept as the exact antagonist of our Total Defence concept. To respond to the growing prevalence of hybrid warfare back then, I pointed out that SAF will have to contend with cyber threats and the growing use of disinformation in warfare. In 2016, I shared about the unidentified hackers attacking Ukraine's power grid and disrupting electricity. In 2017, the Financial Times wrote on cyber warfare. In 2019, we introduced Digital Defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence. Looking back over those years, this generation is witnessing real-time, and personally, the changing face of warfare. Even as the public experiences it first-hand, this realisation by militaries of vulnerabilities and opportunities within the digital domain has not been uniform. Some militaries adapted earlier than others to the "Gerasimov Doctrine" and have steadily been building capabilities on many fronts, including the digital domain, for example, the German military that incorporated a new service, as we are proposing today, in 2017, to defend the digital domain. The Baltic States I visited recently have also beefed up their capabilities in their military and civilian organisations against digital threats.”
“The C4I community has been growing alongside the three kinetic services, less visible but no less progressive. C4I operations have grown over the years, too, for example, in counter-terrorism, from our operations, from our NDPs to key high-security multilateral events, like the Trump-Kim Summit and ASEAN Summit in 2018. C4I soldiers were deployed for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Our imagery analyst teams were part of the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Kuwait from 2014 to 2016. Then-US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter expressed his appreciation for their contributions which helped stop ISIS' terror campaign. Even despite these impressive developments and achievements hitherto, the C4I community's role has been largely that of a supporting agency, akin to combat support, logistics and maintenance. They enable the Army, Navy and Air Force to achieve their missions by providing actionable timely intelligence and ensuring that communications are secure to execute plans. And these responsibilities will still be part of DIS. So, what then has changed to require DIS to be a fully-fledged military service arm? Simply put, the battleground. The digital domain, just like air, land and sea, has become a battle terrain which, if left unguarded, can impact the security and sovereignty of any country. And over the years, I have updated Members in this House about these security threats. In 2015, I spoke about "hybrid warfare", "an orchestrated campaign" which "integrates the use of conventional and unconventional tools of warfare" to "fracture the solidarity of the target nation". I quoted former Chief of General Staff of the Russian Federation, General Valery Gerasimov, who said, "The very rules of war have changed.”
“From 13-tonne AMX-13 light tanks to 70-tonne Leopard main battle tanks; wooden hull ships to stealth frigates; Hawker Hunters to F16s, F15s and, in a few years, F35s, the SAF today is a modernised military, capable of prosecuting missions across the spectrum of security threats. Singaporeans, too, have seen this SAF journey every year, through the National Day Parades (NDPs) when we allow SAF to play on the Floating Platform, Padang or National Stadium and into the heartlands. That display will take place in a few days' time on 9 August. I hope that Members will enjoy the dynamic display. We, in this House, and Singaporeans out there are not the only ones who have noticed this impressive and progressive march. The Asian Military Review described the SAF as "one of the most well-trained and equipped forces in Asia Pacific". That others notice the SAF's competency and growing ability is good, and the core of deterrence. Today's amendment, if approved by this House, will set up under the SAF Act a formal fourth service – DIS – and should be seen in the continuum of improvements for the SAF over the past 57 years. For SAF commanders and troops, DIS affects primarily the intelligence community, and we call it the C4I community – Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence. So, let me shift focus there to explain what needs to be done and why, by the DIS. To protect Singapore, the Army, Navy and Air Force have built up capabilities in their respective domains on land, at sea and air. But it is not enough for each service to do so. Command and control are essential to maximise effects by orchestrating joint efforts, so that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Pari passu, intelligence capabilities had to grow in tandem, to keep pace.”
“Madam and Members of this House, the legislation that governs militaries around the world is not often amended. So, I do not stand on this podium very often, and for good reasons. The mandate and powers provided to the military are clear and focused, and necessarily scoped by Parliament to keep within this remit. In peace, that legislation is usually adequate for the Armed Forces' crucial task of national defence, to organise themselves to build capabilities and protect the sovereignty and security of her country. For militaries that are often at war, or operating in periods of tension, legislative changes are more frequent, as varied conditions require timely adaptations. But during peace, one does not expect frequent changes to legal provisions. So, too, the SAF. The last time the SAF Act was amended was in 2009 to introduce the Military Domain Experts Scheme for SAF. We are thankful that Singapore has enjoyed a period of prolonged peace since our Independence. Nonetheless, the amendments put to this House today represent a significant change militarily to establish a new fourth service, the Digital and Intelligence Service, or DIS in short, alongside the Army, Navy and Air Force services which the SAF Act of 1972 brought into existence. There will be other amendments which I will go through with Members, and they are related to discipline and administrative processes to update and to ensure the smooth functioning of SAF. The SAF, incepted 57 years ago in 1965, has been a military constantly on the move. And that transformation is visible. All of you would have witnessed it through the years growing up; NSmen lived through it and some here are actually responsible for pieces of that transformation.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time". Madam, with your permission, MINDEF has two related Bills today on the Order Paper. I would like to propose that the debate on both Bills take place together, as the two Bills deal with the same substantive matter of the new SAF service to be stood up. If the first Bill is passed, the Second and Third Readings of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment No 2) Bill will follow.”
“Madam, his question has been replied to.”
“The information is both in the written reply and today's session. Since 2000, on average, 3,400 new citizens are registered each year, who have been or will be enlisted like all male Singaporeans to serve their NS duties. I further added today that new citizens and PRs form about 20% of all NSmen enlisted.”
“I will repeat what we have given him, the reply to him and the exact information he has asked.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I had better give all the facts again because he has again twisted the facts.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, it is not in the interest of this House to further debate based on misleading statements and inaccurate statements. We have a full display of Mr Leong's modus operandi. He says I spent 15 minutes. We started at 3.00 pm and even with this speech, it is now 3.11 pm. He says I did not give him the facts. I gave him all of the full facts. I said they form 20% of full-time NS enlistees, of which more than half are male new citizens while the rest are PRs. The facts speak for themselves. In fact, when I replied to his question in this Parliamentary Question – why for sportsmen, we have to be very selective in their deferment – my principal argument was equity and universality. He ignored all of it and he jumped in, and now, he says, "Well, I wasn't really referring to the young ones. I was just referring to others who were exempted." But he did not give the facts. He has not denied that he knew all the facts. These are all the characteristics of misinformants. They give you half-truths, misleading statements. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I think in the interest of today's agenda, I propose that we continue. I have stated my views. He has not defended whether he knew, or he spoke out differently. He has just said, well, he has got other questions.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, what is the clarification?”
“National Service is the bedrock of the SAF and our national defence. Members of Parliament have the duty to ask questions and debate policies, including NS policies, in this House. But they should not make misleading statements that can weaken NS, the SAF and Home Team.”
“Like those who are born Singaporeans, they are enlisted for full-time NS upon reaching enlistment age and contribute to Operationally Ready NS thereafter." It is also easy to get the relevant information on the Internet. And you can try it even now. If you key in in your search engine: "NS, new citizens, Singapore", it pops up. Many fora make it known that new young male citizens must do NS and that those who become citizens as mature adults are exempted. So, this policy is well publicised on the Internet too. This long-standing policy has served our defence needs. Over the years, Permanent Residents (PRs) and young male new citizens have formed an increasing proportion of NS enlistees. In the early 2000s, they were about 5% of all full-time national servicemen (NSFs) enlisted each year. In other words, PRs and young male new citizens formed 5% in the early 2000s. Today, they form about 20% of all NSFs enlisted. Of the 20%, slightly more than half are citizens by registration, with the remaining as PRs. So, what Mr Leong asserts is not true. Many new citizens are enlisted for NS every year. New citizens and PRs are contributing to our national defence. And without that extra inject of new citizens and PRs, our smaller birth cohorts would have impacted SAF's manpower needs more acutely. I have decided that it is important to correct the misleading statements put out by Mr Leong, because they strike at the foundations of equity and universality that underpin National Service in Singapore. Just think about it – if pre-enlistees are misled into thinking that new citizens of their age are exempted, where will they have the heart to serve NS? The correct facts must be put out to reassure the National Servicemen in the SAF and Home Team.”
“In late May, I quote: "Is it fair for foreigners to be given citizenship without doing NS while our locally-born Singaporeans have to serve NS despite having valid reasons to defer?" For his Facebook post in July, I quote: "Is it fair that we forfeit our local talents their chances of developing their talents while many new male citizens do not need to do NS?" Let there be no doubt that for every young male citizen, whether by birth, registration or descent, the NS liabilities are the same. We do not differentiate. They will be enlisted for NS at 18 years or older to perform full-time NS, and thereafter must fulfil their Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) duties. That is universal and equitable. But if a foreigner comes to Singapore and becomes a citizen as a mature adult, typically in his 30s or 40s, we exempt him from NS because he did not enjoy any socioeconomic benefits like young Singaporeans and also because he would be too old to enlist for full time NS. On a topic as important as NS, Mr Leong should have waited for MINDEF's reply or sought the full facts. This policy is not new; in fact, it dates back at least to the early 1980s. We had to go some way back to find out when the policy started. But it is, at least, more than 40 years. It is in our Parliamentary records as Ministers and Members of Parliament have spoken on this policy previously. For example, back in 2007, then-Minister of State for Defence Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee had already made clear that: "Each year, we have a number of new citizens in full-time NS. They are born foreign nationals, they took up permanent residency, but have since been naturalised as Singapore Citizens.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Madam, during the Parliament Sitting on 5 July this year, Mr Leong Mun Wai asserted that "citizens by registration are...not doing NS". He said this in his supplementary question after my reply on sporting privileges for National Servicemen. Mr Leong's assertion is inaccurate and misleading. Since 2000, on average, 3,400 new citizens are registered each year, who have been or will be enlisted like all male Singaporeans to serve their NS duties. MINDEF had provided all relevant facts of NS liabilities for new citizens in a written answer to his Parliamentary Question that he had filed for that same Sitting in July. I quote in full MINDEF's reply: "Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents between the ages of 18 and 40 for non-officers and 50 for officers are liable to serve National Service (NS). However, males who receive citizenship as mature adults, typically in their 30s and 40s, are not enlisted as they are not suitable for full-time NS at that age and did not enjoy any benefits prior to their citizenship. New male citizens who stayed in Singapore when young and enjoyed economic and social benefits are enlisted when they reach 18 years of age or older. They number on average 3,400 each year, which constitute about half of all new male citizens registered each year." In fact, we had prepared this same reply in May, because Mr Leong had filed a similar question then, but which he withdrew when there was no Sitting that month. Even before the July Sitting, Mr Leong had been repeating these misleading statements in two Facebook posts: one in late May and another on 1 July.”
“Between 2016 and 2021, about 120 each year or 7% of all Specialists who were not Warrant Officers left the SAF to pursue careers in other sectors before the age of 50. Specialists retiring from the SAF, typically close to or at the age of 50, are provided with the career transition support which includes dedicated career coaching, as well as funds and time-off for courses, job interviews and internships to transit into their next job role. Based on surveys conducted by our Career Transition Resource Centre, the majority of the retiring specialists who intend to continue working are able to secure jobs in roles such as training, security, operations and administration.”
“MINDEF recognises the benefits of providing adequate notice of enlistment dates to pre-enlistees to prepare themselves mentally and physically for full-time National Service (NS). For this purpose, we conduct regular NS engagement sessions in schools, where pre-enlistees are informed that most can expect to be enlisted within four to six months after completion of their post-secondary education in Singapore. Pre-enlistees are also able to check on the various possible upcoming enlistment dates on the Central Manpower Base’s (CMPB) website. Within the entire cohort of NS liable males averaging around 23,000 each year, some will require further evaluation or delays in their scheduled enlistment date due to medical reasons or other personal requests. Nonetheless, more than 80% of pre-enlistees receive notice more than two months before enlistment. For those who receive notice of less than two months, short-term postponements have been granted on appeal. Only around 1% receive their Enlistment Notices less than two weeks before their enlistment date, often due to late finalisation of their medical status, whereupon the pre-enlistee had requested for the next available enlistment date, or due to enlistment slots opening up due to deferments and dropouts. In such instances, CMPB will contact them to confirm their availability to be enlisted on short notice, before serving them their Enlistment Notices.”
“From 2000 to 2021, there were about 60,000 new citizens granted Singapore Citizenship who sponsored their children for Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Residency in the same period. Among the male children who were below 18 at the point they were sponsored and have since reached 18 years old or older, around 3% were exempted from National Service (NS) for reasons such as being medically unfit for NS, mirroring the overall exemption rates for each enlistment cohort.”
“Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games. And on this basis, swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were granted seven years' and six years' deferment respectively for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.”
“Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games. And on this basis, swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were granted eight years' and five years' deferment respectively for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. [Please refer to “National Dialogue and Review of Policy Regarding National Athletes Serving National Service”, Official Report, 5 July 2022, Vol 95, Issue No 64, Oral Answers to Questions section.] [(proc text) Written statement by Dr Ng Eng Hen circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5): (proc text)] I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply given to Parliamentary Questions on the National Dialogue and Review of Policy Regarding National Athletes Serving National Service at the Sitting of 5 July 2022. My reply should read as follows:”
“The stipulated retirement age for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) military officers is 50 and 55 for most warrant officers and specialists. In view of their shorter careers with SAF, MINDEF’s Career Transition Resource Centre (CTRC) supports all such personnel with their transition to a second career upon their retirement from SAF.1 CTRC’s support includes dedicated career coaching by certified in-house career advisors, job referrals and networking events. Supported personnel are also provided funds and time-off to attend courses and seminars, go for job interviews and embark on internships that can serve as a springboard into their sector of interest. These programmes have successfully assisted most personnel in their transitions. For both officers and warrant officers/specialists who intend to continue working after they left SAF, more than 80% were able to secure jobs within six months and 90% within a year.”
“Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents between the ages of 18 and 40 for non-officers and, 18 and 50 for officers, are liable to serve National Service (NS). However, males who receive citizenship as mature adults, typically in their 30s and 40s, are not enlisted as they are not suitable for full-time NS at that age and did not enjoy any benefits prior to their citizenship. New male citizens who stayed in Singapore when young and enjoyed economic and social benefits are enlisted when they reach 18 years of age or older. They number, on average, 3,400 each year, which constitute about half of all new male citizens registered each year.”
“The Member’s question has been addressed in my written reply to Question No 53 circulated on 4 July 2022. The Member may refer to that reply. [Please refer to “Key Takeaways from Recent Shangri-La Dialogue Regarding Geopolitical Dynamics and Maintenance of Peaceful Relations in Asia”, Official Report, 4 July 2022, Vol 63, Issue No 63, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by End of Question Time section.]”
“— that citizens by registration are not doing their National Service. I think he has filed a separate question and I think he can read the reply.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, that is an utter mischaracterisation —”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I do not hear a clarification.”
“Point of order, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Is this a further point or a clarification?”
“Madam, I have gone to great lengths answering the basis of our deferments and disruptions. And I think my answer speaks for itself. Thank you.”
“Madam, I have answered the question quite adequately for the Member. I suggest he does not make another speech.”
“I also know that our national sportsmen want to do well in both – fulfil their NS duties and also win medals for Singapore; at least some of them. Some have achieved it, but it is not easy to attain and we must not set unrealistic expectations on all of them. However, for those who want to pursue both goals, MINDEF is prepared to allow more to disrupt to train and compete in international competitions during their full-time NS. This is on the understanding that they fulfil the full period required after their disruption and also perform their NS duties satisfactorily while in NS. Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker.”
“And on this basis, swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were granted eight years' and five years' deferment respectively for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. [Please refer to "Clarification by Minister for Defence", Official Report, 5 July 2022, Vol 95, Issue No 64, Corrections by Written Statements section.] From time to time, MINDEF convenes review committees to address these and other NS issues as top-down initiatives. And you will remember that the last NS Review Committee was just held and completed from 2020 to 2022. And I have reported on the recommendations of that review and the implementation to this House. But there is also space for ground-up dialogues. When the next review of NS policies is convened, MINDEF will incorporate views across the spectrum of supporters and detractors of deferments and disruptions for sports and arts talent. After 55 years, I think we do have strong agreement on the common principles of NS – which is, everyone, regardless of talent or status, must fulfil their NS obligations as a first priority and all personal pursuits must be secondary to this during their full-time NS. And based on this understanding, for sporting talents who bring national glory to Singapore, we can and have allowed limited deferments and disruptions, but without compromising their NS obligations. I am proud that our national athletes understand and accept this duty of NS. None of them has asked to be exempted from NS duties, including those who trained hard and participated in recent regional and international events. They understand that everyone must fulfil their NS duties, even if you are a sporting or art talent.”
“Medals can bring glory to Singapore but it is more important to have people with commitment to serve National Service for Singapore's peace and security. All Singaporean sportsmen should know that if there is no Singapore, there is no sport to talk about." I leave you to decide whether you agree with the views. I am quoting to tell you that there are Singaporeans, even despite the strict application of deferments and disruptions, do not agree with it. MINDEF also receives letters from Singaporeans from time to time, questioning the fairness when deferred sportsmen receive financial rewards through endorsements, while others had to serve their NS as required. They asked if this was compatible with the assurance given that deferments or disruptions should not be for personal gain, but national glory. I cite these criticisms to show that even when sparingly applied, deferments and disruptions can have a pernicious effect – to cause invidious comparisons that some are given preferential treatment and are not performing their NS duties. MINDEF reiterates that all NS men must perform their duties, and their short-term disruptions or leave for sportsmen to train for and compete in international competitions are only allowed outside critical NS periods. And those who have benefited from these provisions in the most recent SEA Games include paddler CPL (NS) Koen Pang, hurdler CPT (Dr) Ang Chen Xiang and triathlete OCT Luke Chua, apart from the swimmers that you have read about. Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games.”
“We can only understand it because we apply very strict enforcement while, on the other hand, to those who must enlist for NS, we provide deferments and disruptions for any reason, sparingly, justified adequately and implemented openly. Otherwise, the system fails. If you are so harsh, as the main core of your policy, then you have to be very, very careful that your disruptions and deferments are sparing, justified openly and adequately. Each appeal for deferment and disruption from sports and arts talent must, therefore, pass a very high bar. Each request is assessed on its own merit, in consultation with MCCY, taking into consideration the applicant's past achievements and potential to excel in international competitions and bring national glory. We allow deferments and disruptions for arts and sports talents when there is a higher goal of national glory. But this deferment or disruption is not a licence to do away with your NS obligations. That must still be maintained. So, even when granted, there is no abdication of NS duties. And we have to ensure that the applicant's NS duties are taken seriously and that he must be trained to be competent in his assigned vocation. This will include periods like BMT, specialists and commanders' courses, and his unit's key operations, which the applicant must fulfil as part of his NS duties, even if he is granted deferment and disruption. Now, even with these strict criteria, I must inform the House that not all Singaporeans support deferment or disruption for sportsmen. I quote a letter published in The Straits Times in May of this year, quote: "Let us not set the precedent by letting individuals call for a dialogue for the benefit of a privileged few.”
“We have held, unequivocally, the fundamental principles of universality and equity for NS. What does that mean? At its core, it means that all male Singaporeans and PRs who are fit and liable to serve, are conscripted for full-time National Service, as required by the Enlistment Act and not at a time of their choosing. Further, during the two years that they serve NS, all personal goals are put aside and placed subservient to the higher duty to defend Singapore. It is a national commitment of the highest order and one that we all take very seriously. So much so, that for defaulters who reneged on their liability, our Courts have sentenced them to jail. Let me quote from a 2017 High Court judgment: "In order to ensure Singapore's national security, every male Singaporean must serve National Service and at the time that he is required under the [Enlistment] Act, without regard to his personal convenience and considerations." I emphasise, "without regard to his personal convenience and considerations". "When a person refuses to serve National Service at the time that he is required to and instead returns to serve at a time of his own choosing, or worse, at an age when he can no longer serve, his actions strike at the very core of the principles of national security, universality and equity." These are strong words that underpin this collective and deep commitment to uphold NS, with just as strong a punishment for defaulters, who are sentenced to jail for choosing to do NS when and how they like. Juxtapose that with those who ask for deferment, disruption, to come at a time of their choosing and to pursue their personal goals if they have sporting or arts talents. How do we rationalise this disparity?”
“This year, we commemorate 55 years of National Service (NS). Singapore remains one of the few countries where NS enjoys high levels of public support. How high, you might ask. Well, every year, we take polls, similar to other questions asked by other Government agencies. In 2021, 96% of Singaporeans polled affirmed that NS is critical for the defence and security of our country. Let me tell you, 96%, even for our country, is highly unusual. There are very few questions that you can get above 85%, let alone 90% or 95%. Today, more than one million have served NS. Each year, every young male citizen and Permanent Resident (PR) puts his personal commitment into action by enlisting into SAF or Home Team for full-time NS. We have had this high support of NS for many years now and I want to make clear to Members of this House that this strong support that Singapore enjoys is an exception and not the norm, compared to other countries with military conscription. If you study the global landscape of countries that have mandatory national service, compared to when we first started it 50-odd years ago, the list of countries has shrunk significantly. I have spoken in this House about the Baltic states which gave up national service, only to wish today that they did not. But not only in terms of just countries that have managed to keep their national service, but many countries were forced to cut their national service commitments for a variety of negative reasons. So, it would be a serious mistake if we take that affirmation we receive today from Singaporeans for NS, that we take it for granted, or think it came by happenstance. On the contrary, this strong support, why it is that we have been able to keep such high levels of national support, there is one key reason.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, may I please take Question Nos 4 and 5 together?”
“Since 2011, all SAF tonners have been equipped with safety lap belts for passengers seated at the rear. Other safety measures introduced since 1985 include protective side boards, railings, and canopies, while rear safety straps were introduced in 2000 for the vehicles. Limits have also been imposed on seating capacity and vehicular speed. SAF’s transport operators are trained and entrusted to enforce safety measures, and accorded the right to halt the vehicle, in a safe manner, if needed. The SAF periodically reviews and update safety measures in training and operations.”
“At the end of it, I believe SLD did make a difference, and the vast majority, if not all who attended, left the meeting feeling that they had given or obtained something useful to promote defence ties with another country and contributed to regional stability. For Singapore, the SLD enhances our small role internationally to provide an open and inclusive meeting place for all countries to resolve their differences, and to affirm common values and mutually beneficial principles that promote stability for our region and beyond.”
“I believe that Australia DPM and DM Richard Marles, Brunei Deputy DM Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak Bin Haji Abdul Kadir, France Minister of the Armed Force Sébastien Lecornu, and Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup, who were recently appointed in the last two months, found SLD22 a useful opportunity to have in-person engagements with their counterparts for the first time. Many Chiefs of Defence Force also related a similar positive experience. We joke that this is like “speed-dating” for DMs and officials but that mirth should not obscure nor diminish the value that the SLD provides in allowing concentrated meetings within a weekend. On my part, I met 16 of my counterparts bilaterally. We also had good responses to the two Ministerial Roundtables that I hosted where we engaged in frank and candid conversations. Apart from the presence of key defence leaders, there was also positive feedback that the topics and Question & Answer sessions did address key security challenges – both traditional and non-traditional. Difficult questions ranging from traditional topics such as US-China and cross-strait relations, to newer developments such as Cambodia’s modernisation plans for the Ream Naval Base and climate change were extensively discussed. It would be unrealistic to expect that solutions to longstanding and deeply rooted security challenges can be easily solved with one or even many meetings like the SLD. But the SLD has provided an open, neutral and regular platform for countries to exchange views on regional security issues, challenges and opportunities, as well as differences.”