Tony Tan Keng Yam
Singapore
“One of the problems which they have in Britain is that, up to recently, they have no means to stop people coming into Britain and preaching in their mosques messages of hate, jihad and violence. Here, MUIS monitors our mosques very carefully, what is being preached at Friday prayers.”
“Sir, I am not going to enter into a debate about whether the war in Iraq is justified or not. That is another issue. But I would say, Sir, that with all the measures which have been taken over the last three years since 9/11, including the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the arrest of the Al Qaeda leaders, the detention of the JI lea…”
“Sir, we are extending the CCTV coverage in our bus stations, MRT stations and other places in Singapore where people congregate. It is a part of life now. For example, at our MRT stations, all our CCTV cameras are those where the films are recorded and we can analyse them. Surveillance is one of the effective ways of deterring terrorism.”
“The Muslim community in the UK has contributed to the healing process and has worked hard with the other communities to strengthen the moderate voice of Islam.”
“I would say again, Sir, that what we should do is when you see something which is suspicious, if you see a bag which is left unattended, report to some authority. We will look into it. We have to. And I am glad that we are getting more reports today, be vigilant.”
“It could reach here. We have to live with it. We support the war in Iraq. We believe that it is good for us to join the coalition led by the US against terror. The fight against terror is worldwide. We cannot opt out by not taking part. We are in it. We must continue whatever the difficulties.”
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“National Servicemen are deployed on UN peacekeeping missions only if they themselves volunteer. A word on the point brought up by Mr Sin Boon Ann about Parliament and our defence policies. There is no doubt that Parliament is the highest body in the land. All policies implemented by the Ministry of Defence must be in line with the laws passed by this Parliament, and with the Constitution of Singapore. The Ministry of Defence reports to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet who are in turn themselves accountable to Parliament. A few words about the issue of counter-terrorism and counter-low intensity conflict, a point brought up by Mr Sin Boon Ann and Dr Ong Chit Chung. They have asked about our ability to deal with the threat of terrorism and low intensity conflict (LIC). Let me assure the House that the SAF has the capabilities to deal with what the military terms as OOTW (Operations Other Than War). These capabilities of the SAF have been developed over the years and they are constantly being upgraded as the situation demands. For the threats of low intensity conflict and global catastrophic terrorism, we are fully aware that while the SAF may have the capabilities, the military alone cannot effectively counter such threats. The SAF needs to work with other Government agencies in Singapore. This is not new, as we have long had inter-agency efforts to tackle various security issues, especially between the SAF and the Home Team. For example, MINDEF, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment have been working together for many years on bio-chemical defence. The Navy and the Police Coast Guard have also worked together for many years to stop illegal immigrants coming to Singapore.”
“00 pm Capability development programmes sometimes require spending commitments spread over many years - from the acquisition of new weapons systems and training of operators, to sustaining research and development and periodic upgrade programmes for the enhancement of mature systems. To keep such a defence capability in good, sharp condition requires a sustained long-term commitment, and I am indeed gratified by the commitment which Members have expressed today for our defence effort. Of course, Mdm Chairman, even as we continue to enhance deterrence, we are fully aware of the importance of encouraging friendship and cooperation with other countries and other armed forces - both in the region as well as further afield. We know that the stability of our security environment can only be preserved by countries working together - a point made by several Members today. So deterrence and diplomacy form the twin pillars of Singapore's defence policy. We have strong bilateral relationships with many countries, from many of which the SAF benefits greatly in the form of professional interactions, and access to training facilities and defence technology. We also contribute, as best as we can, to multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Five Power Defence Arrangement, because these institutions provide an important layer to the security architecture in the region. One particular area where the SAF has made contributions is in UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, we are involved in the peacekeeping missions in East Timor, the Kuwait-Iraq border, and the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. I would like to assure Members that only SAF regulars are sent on such UN missions.”
“But we must always make sure that should the mood turn nasty against us and demands are made of us on a host of issues as has happened, and will happen from time to time - we have the confidence to ride out the storm, not to react hastily, but not to knuckle in under any pressure. And the SAF, the Singapore Armed Forces, gives us that confidence. Now, a few words about our Defence Policy. Members have sought assurance that our defence policy is adequate to ensure Singapore's security in the face of the spectrum of threats that we could potentially have to deal with. I thank Members for pointing out the need to maintain and even increase our defence Budget, as some Members have suggested, so that we will be able to deal effectively with the threat of terrorism and low intensity conflict in addition to conventional military threats. Madam Chairman, we have always given, and will continue to give, the highest priority to security and defence. Over the years, we have put in consistent effort, investment and sacrifice to build up the SAF. Today, the SAF is a technologically-advanced and operationally-ready defence force. The SAF's capabilities were not built up overnight, neither was it built up by sudden spurts in defence spending. Each of our operational capabilities is the result of long-term planning, a well-considered acquisitions strategy, structured training, and systematic maintenance. And we have been able to do so because of our policy of maintaining defence spending at a steady rate, up to a maximum of 6% of GDP each year. I commend Mr Ravindran and Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed for saying that we should ensure that defence gets the support from Government that it needs. 6.”
“We must remain very conscious that we must have the wherewithal - the will and the muscle - to safeguard our security, and to ensure that we will always have the space to act according to our own best interests, and not succumb to pressure by others. A credible defence capability is absolutely critical for the prosperity of Singapore. We learned the bitter lesson from our experience in World War II. And we continue to get frequent reminders from the example of other countries which fall prey to hostile forces, because they could not defend themselves, as well as on many occasions, from the hostile rhetoric and speeches of politicians in other countries that we frequently hear. Sometimes there is even talk of war, as has been mentioned by some Members today. We need a credible defence force to ensure that talk of war remains talk, just mere rhetoric, and no one is tempted to go beyond rhetoric to take action which directly threatens our sovereignty and territorial integrity and our vital interests. Madam Chairman, from the debate on the Estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from the comments of Members just now, Singaporeans, all of us, are all too aware that our relations with our neighbours go through frequent ups and downs. It is a roller-coaster ride. We are likely to go through more of such cycles in the years ahead. This is not something of our choosing. It is more profitable, and we would much rather focus on cooperation in all sectors - economic, cultural, education, even security - which can be of mutual benefit and help to strengthen relations. And we are always looking for such opportunities.”
“Besides catastrophic global terrorism, there are other non-conventional threats that we have to be vigilant against. We have to continue to be alert to these security challenges, certainly at least over the next few years. The much greater political and social instability in our region, and the economic uncertainty, have also raised the potential of what is called Low Intensity Conflict. In 1998, for example, we experienced an upsurge in illegal immigrants trying to enter Singapore. Fortunately, our firm response quickly put a stop to this flow. But many security threats are trans-border in nature, and international borders are porous. The impact can also be far-reaching. So Singapore is vulnerable, and we must be prepared to meet such security challenges as they arise, whether the problem be illegal immigrants, piracy, cyber-attacks or other forms of terrorism from sources other than the global terrorist networks. I would like to remind the House that these newer threats, while dangerous, and we have to tackle them, are not in place of, but they are in addition to our fundamental security concerns that we have faced since our independence in 1965, and which lie at the heart of our very existence as a sovereign, independent nation. The circumstances of how we became independent brought us to the quick realisation that our highest priority as a nation must be to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Singapore felt very vulnerable then in the 1960s. Today, we no longer feel as vulnerable because we now have a significant defence capability. But we must remain acutely aware that the external environment is not as benign as we may wish it to be.”
“So, when the question is asked: "If there is a war, why should we fight for Singapore?", I am confident that, whether or not they can articulate the reasons, Singaporeans will rally to defend our country and, if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice to preserve and uphold the principles and values which we hold dear for ourselves and for our children. Let me now turn to the security situation in our environment, a topic which has been commented on by Dr Ong Chit Chung, Ms Irene Ng and Mr Ravindran. As the hon. Members have noted, the need for security has in fact taken on even greater importance. Last year, I told the Committee of Supply that there was more uncertainty in the regional security environment. Developments since then have made the security environment even more complex than any of us could have imagined just a year ago. In particular, the threat spectrum has greatly expanded. We are now all too familiar with the threat of a new type of terrorism which is called catastrophic terrorism. This has injected greater uncertainty when the region has yet to fully recover from the economic downturn and the socio-economic dislocations of political leadership transitions. As Members have pointed out, unfortunately, this new threat is not some remote problem somewhere in another part of the world. We have all seen the chilling scenes of the surveillance by the local Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist network. We have heard of their plans to construct 7 truck bombs - 3 tons of ammonium nitrate each - 21 tons altogether. It requires 1 ton of ammonium nitrate bomb to demolish the building in Oklahoma City in the US. Imagine how horrific the consequences would have been if these extremists had managed to pull off their plans to set off these bombs in Singapore.”
“" Because she valued these principles, Irene Ng said: "This is why I left Malaysia for Singapore when I was 16 because this country offered me the opportunity to live my life based on these principles. I became a Singaporean because I wanted to be a part of a country that upholds these principles." Madam Chairman, the principles on which our nation is founded - Meritocracy and fair play; Equal Opportunities; Clean Government; and Racial and religious tolerance - are embodied in this small island of 680 square kilometres, which all of us call home, because Singaporeans believe in these principles and are prepared to defend them. Building on the principles and core strengths, we have created a prosperous and thriving country that is able to give a decent standard of living to all its citizens. We have gained international respect as a nation, that may be small by physical standards, but we are a nation that stands by our principles and beliefs. Singapore is a nation that has often been cited as a model for other countries to emulate. These are not small achievements. The Singapore in which we live today is a large achievement. It is an achievement which all Singaporeans can justifiably be proud of. And not only be proud of, but also be prepared to defend. The fact that so many Singaporeans have sacrificed their time and disrupted their careers to serve our country in National Service; the fact that Singaporeans of all races and ages strongly support the building of a strong SAF; the fact that Total Defence is not an empty slogan in Singapore, but an important concept taken seriously by all Singaporeans; all these are evidence that Singaporeans value Singapore and all that Singapore stands for.”
“Both Australia and England are bigger countries than Singapore. Both of them have larger economies than Singapore's. Both have more land, certainly in the case of Australia. For talented and determined individuals, the prospects of a successful career could be better in Australia or England than here, in Singapore. 5.45 pm So we ask ourselves: why then should Khaw Boon Wan and Irene Ng decide to throw in their lots with Singapore? The answer, in my view, lies in the values which both of them identified as the core strengths of Singapore: 1. Meritocracy and Fair Play; 2. Equal Opportunities; 3. Clean Government; and 4. Racial and Religious Tolerance. As Khaw Boon Wan said, and I quote, "these core values have been fundamental tenets of our nation for the last 40 years." The core values constitute the Singapore Cause for which Khaw Boon Wan was prepared to leave his hometown to settle and build a future for himself and his family in Singapore. Of all the core values, meritocracy is central to the realisation of a Singapore nation as we know it. As Khaw Boon Wan said, "Meritocracy is a powerful idea." Irene Ng expressed the same sentiment in her words: "Meritocracy is one of our founding principles, so is the principle of equality of treatment and non-discrimination. We must make it clear that discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age or national origin is not tolerated in Singapore. We must give each individual and each group the confidence and hope that they have equal opportunities to realise their aspirations, even if unequal outcomes are the result. We cannot guarantee success, but we must guarantee equality of opportunity.”
“For example, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's son concluded his conversation with his father by telling Vivian that he, ie, the son, would defend Singapore because this is his home and his family and his friends are here. Outside the House, a Singaporean who lives in Canada posted a note to the Straits Times Interactive to say that if war were to break out, he would fly back to fight for Singapore simply because he wanted "to fight for my home, my family and friends". Another writer, Mr Teh Peijing, wrote to the Straits Times and this is what he said, "In my case, my main motivation for fighting in the event of a war would be my friend Norman as well as other colleagues of mine. And I believe that this is the case for most Singaporeans serving in the SAF: that they would fight mainly to be there for their friends and comrades in arms with whom they have shared sweat on the training grounds of the SAF." The reasons I have cited are good and powerful motivations for people to be prepared to fight for Singapore should the need arise. In considering this subject, I think that it is also helpful to ponder the reasons why people are prepared to leave their country of birth to settle in another country to make a life for themselves and their children. Mr Khaw Boon Wan and Ms Irene Ng are two such individuals. Both born in Penang, highly educated, able to settle anywhere in the world, both of them decided that their destinies would lie with Singapore. Both Khaw Boon Wan and Irene Ng are persons of ability and drive. They could have had successful careers in Penang or, if they wanted to leave their home town, they could have settled in the countries in which they had their higher education - Khaw Boon Wan in Australia, and Irene Ng in England, for a higher degree.”
“Let me now comment on the point which Dr Ong Chit Chung has brought up as to whether Singaporeans will pull together when there is crisis. During the debate on the President's Address last month, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stirred up a minor controversy, both within and outside the House, when he related in Parliament the question which his 11-year old son asked him: "If there is a war, why should we fight for Singapore?" This is not a trivial question. Neither is it a question that should not be asked. Every generation must confront this question. Every generation must decide for themselves why they should be prepared to fight and, possibly, to die for their country. Patriotism is an emotionally charged subject. It stirs up the most fundamental emotions and reactions of Singaporeans, and this is rightly so. One does not talk of war lightly. Neither is war a subject simply to be debated in Parliament or in the correspondence pages of our newspapers. Given the terrible consequences of war, going to war is the most serious and fundamental decision which a country has to make. When to go to war, how to go to war, whether the circumstances dictate a need for a country to resort to war, these are fundamental issues which no leader and no Singaporean can treat lightly with glib remarks or clever rhetoric. Patriotism has different meanings for different individuals. Patriotism is something that must come deep from within each individual. Patriotism cannot be mandated or forced. In deciding why one should be patriotic and willing to fight for one's country, different people will be motivated by different reasons.”
“Madam Chairman, I thank the Members of Parliament for their relevant comments on defence policy on the SAF. I will deal with some of the points that have been raised so far. My colleagues, the Second Minister for Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence will then deal with some of the other points. Singapore has embarked on a process of self-examination. Since our independence in 1965, we had a business plan which enabled us to achieve significant progress and success in our economy. But times change, and the fundamentally changed circumstances now require us to re-examine our business plan and the way we do things. In short, we have to remake Singapore. We have to restructure our economy and address pressing social issues ranging from social cohesion to the implications of a low birth rate and an aging population. As part of the process of change, we must expect that some of our long-held policies will have to be updated or revised to meet the new challenges. While we rethink and debate the economic and social policies that will make Singapore the best home for our people, one thing remains constant, and that is the absolute importance of a strong defence for Singapore. A prosperous economy and a vibrant society must be supported by a strong security foundation if it is to continue thriving. Without security, without a strong defence, there is no guarantee that Singapore will continue to survive, let alone thrive, as an independent, sovereign nation. I am therefore heartened to note the resounding support which all the Members have expressed this afternoon for maintaining a strong defence force.”
“Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“Sir, I thank Dr Ong Chit Chung for his comments. He has raised two questions. The first question is: what are some examples and categories of offence that will be compounded? Sir, some examples of offences that will be compounded are: (i) the failure of an ORNSman to notify the proper authority before he leaves Singapore; (ii) the failure of an ORNSman to maintain contact with his unit; and (iii) the failure of an exit permit holder to report to the proper authority within seven days of his return to Singapore. Some categories of offences that will be compounded are: (i) exit permit offences; (ii) registration offences; and (iii) offences relating to the disclosure of particulars by an NS registrant. The second question asked by Dr Ong is: if an ORNSman is called up to answer charges and attend trial for alleged offences while he was subject to military law, will he be eligible to claim for loss of civilian remuneration for the time spent attending military court if he is acquitted? Sir, ORNSmen who are called up to perform national service are entitled to make a claim for the loss of civilian remuneration for the period of their call-up. When an ORNSman is called up to answer charges and attend trial, he is called up for the purposes of disciplinary proceedings and to answer the charge against him. He is not called up to perform national service. Therefore, whether the ORNSman is convicted or acquitted, he should not be entitled to claim for loss of civilian remuneration for the time spent attending the disciplinary proceedings. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam].”
“At present, those persons who fail or refuse to report for trial may only be prosecuted in the civil courts under the Penal Code (section 174), that is, for the non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant. As the failure or refusal to report for trial is a disciplinary issue related to the SAF, MINDEF believes the SAF should be able to deal directly with such disobedience. The amendments make it a military offence if an ORNSman or a former regular serviceman does not report for trial when ordered to do so by the competent authority. This will be so even though he is not subject to military law when the order to report for such trial is given. Parliament is requested to approve the amendments. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“Clause 4 of the Bill also allows the appointment of enlistment inspectors and sets out their powers. The Follow-up and Investigation Unit, or the IU, of the Central Manpower Base investigates offences committed under the Enlistment Act and its regulations. The IU needs to be equipped with the powers of arrest and investigations, similar to those found in the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act. As such, the IU was previously formed as an Auxiliary Police Force, or an APF. However, an APF can only operate within specifically identified areas. The IU, on the other hand, has to conduct investigations throughout Singapore. This is beyond the ambit of an APF. This amendment allows the proper authority to appoint public officers as investigators to be known as enlistment inspectors. They will be empowered to investigate offences committed under the Enlistment Act and regulations. They also will have powers of search, seizure and arrest. These powers may be exercised anywhere in Singapore. Clause 5 makes related amendments to the Singapore Armed Forces Act or the SAF Act. Servicemen, whether ORNSmen during their in-camp training or former regular servicemen during their service, who commit military offences, may be required to report for trial after they have finished their in-camp training or their regular service. Trial here means the court martial or a summary trial. Those who fail or refuse to report for such trials currently cannot be prosecuted for a military offence under the SAF Act because they are not subject to military law when the order to them to report is given.”
“Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to make it more convenient for ORNSmen to receive their reimbursement claim. Under the present legislation, only the ORNSman is entitled to claim reimbursement for the loss of his civilian income. The ORNSman submits his claim through his employer. MINDEF has a new scheme called the Payment Through Employers Scheme. This scheme aims to reduce paperwork and simplify procedures for ORNSmen and their employers when making a claim for loss of income resulting from ORNS training. Under this scheme, the employer will continue to pay his ORNSmen employees their monthly salary when the ORNSmen attend training. The employer then makes a consolidated claim to the designated authority to obtain reimbursement. This seamless system will result in the ORNSman not having to suffer any disruption in receiving his salary income. He will also not have to put in a claim for reimbursement for the loss of his civilian income to the designated authority through his employer. The amendment to the Act will formally put in place this streamlined procedure, with employers given the right to opt for this scheme of direct payment to their ORNSmen employees. Clause 4 of the Bill allows for the composition of certain offences under the Enlistment Act and regulations. Under the present legislation, those who commit offences under the Enlistment Act and regulations are prosecuted in the civil courts. The proposed amendments will allow the proper authority to compound certain offences under the Enlistment Act and its regulations. This will save the time and resources of the court and prosecution. The amount of composition for offences under the Enlistment Act will be a maximum of $1,000. For offences under the Enlistment Regulations, the maximum will be $500.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill before this House seeks to amend the Enlistment Act as follows: (a) to refine the reimbursement system for the loss of salary and wages when a person undergoes Operationally Ready National Service, or "ORNS"; (b) to allow certain offences under the Enlistment Act and regulations to be made compoundable; (c) to appoint enlistment inspectors to investigate offences under the Act and regulations; and (d) to make related amendments to the Singapore Armed Forces Act. Sir, I would like to highlight the major aspects of the Bill. Clause 2 of the Bill allows a person performing Operationally Ready National Service to claim reimbursement for pay components that meet certain criteria. One of these pay components is bonuses. Under the current law, an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (or ORNSman) cannot claim reimbursement for any pay component labelled "bonus" when he attends ORNS training. Due to the increasing popularity of the flexi-wage policy in Singapore, there has been a rising trend among private sector employers to term more and more pay components of their employee's monthly salary as "bonus", or some other term. Such pay components, though termed as "bonuses", are essentially part of the monthly wages of the employees. The amendment to the Enlistment Act allows the claim of bonuses, and any other types of pay components if they meet the following conditions: (a) it is provided in the ORNSman's employment or service contract; (b) it is received on a regular basis over a prescribed period of time; (c) it is subject to CPF contributions under the Central Provident Fund Act; and (d) it falls within the definition of "gains or profits from employment" under the Income Tax Act.”
“They are your average Singaporean, although what they do in the SAF certainly puts them above the average Singaporean - both in terms of the capabilities they have developed and in the commitment and effort we expect of them. MINDEF, and indeed all Singaporeans, recognise their contributions to the defence of our nation. MINDEF therefore convened RECORD III, chaired by Minister of State David Lim, to address many of the issues of concern to our national servicemen. To conclude, Sir, Singaporeans have since the earliest days of our independence, recognised the critical importance of having a strong defence capability. Dr Ong Chit Chung in his speech has said that a strong defence is a necessary investment to secure our future. And I am sure that all Singaporeans will share his sentiment. Building a strong defence capability is an investment which requires not only money but also the hard work and sacrifice of all Singaporeans - not only those who serve national service but also their families and loved ones. Building a strong defence force involves sacrifice. But it is a necessary sacrifice. Because, Sir, without the SAF to secure our peace and stability, Singapore has no future. Sir, I have responded to many of the major points which have been made by Members of Parliament. My colleagues, the Second Minister for Defence and the Minister of State for Defence, will deal with the remaining points.”
“The vision, planning and prudent investment that we put in over the last 30-odd years have served us well. The SAF is a professional and capable force that is well regarded and respected by others. To tackle the challenges ahead, we must continue to invest in the best people, technology and equipment. Defence technology remains a key component of our efforts to strengthen the SAF. We will continue to invest in R&D to maintain our technological edge, both by our own efforts as well as in collaboration with partners in our universities and overseas. 4.15 pm The SAF will also continue to invest in effective equipment and weaponry that can best fulfil its missions - whether this is by upgrading existing equipment and weapon systems or developing our own products to meet our unique defence requirements, or procuring new equipment from foreign manufacturers when these best meet our needs. However, we must remember that what determines a successful operation and victory on the battlefield is not so much technology or equipment but the men and women who serve in the SAF. MINDEF firmly believes in investing in people, and we have always made it a priority to attract the best and the brightest by offering a career that is challenging and rewarding. Over the past three years, we have developed the New Partnership schemes for the SAF officer corps, the warrant officer and specialist corps, and MINDEF's non-uniformed personnel. These enhanced career schemes aim to provide first class careers to attract first class people to work in MINDEF and the SAF. As we work hard to develop the SAF's capabilities, we must never forget that the SAF is a citizens' army, and the bulk of our strength comes from our NSmen and NSFs.”
“Over the years, MINDEF and the SAF have developed a good network of bilateral and multi-lateral defence relationships. Some of these are long-standing, such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and is still going strong. Some are more informal in nature but nevertheless very useful, such as the conferences and military exercises we have organised to bring together many regional countries. And, of course, there is a very large number of bilateral interactions and exercises which MINDEF and the SAF have with countries, not just in the Asia-Pacific but also in other regions, notably Europe. Our overseas training also helps us develop friendships and strong links. Today, the SAF trains regularly in about a dozen countries all over the world. Having a peaceful and stable strategic environment is best assured by several layers of security: firstly, by having a strong international system under the United Nations to deal with threats to peace and stability; secondly, by developing the regional security architecture through bilateral and multi-lateral arrangements like the ASEAN Regional Forum and the FPDA; thirdly, by promoting defence diplomacy and friendly ties with all countries, including Vietnam; and finally, at the core, by building a strong SAF as the cornerstone of our strategy of deterrence. Sir, we have no control over what happens in other countries, and this is all the more reason for constant vigilance and a strong SAF. There is a wide range of contingencies that we may have to deal with, and they may hit us, as we have evidence in the last few years, with little or no warning. Developing expertise and capabilities to deal with new situations and demands takes time and effort.”
“The UN is an important component of the international system which helps enhance our security, because the UN plays a critical role in promoting peace and stability around the world. We therefore strongly support the UN. Here, our membership of the UN Security Council will give us more opportunities to contribute to international security. There will be higher expectations of us to do more. Where we can contribute, and in a way that is useful, we will. Sir, a total of some 800 SAF personnel have been involved in 12 UN peace-keeping missions over the past decade. Currently, the SAF is participating in three such missions - UNIKOM at the Iraq-Kuwait border, UNTAET in East Timor, and UNMEE in Ethiopia and Eritrea. I would like to inform Mr Simon Tay that we are also contributing to the peace-keeping work of the UN in other ways. SAF officers share our training practices and establish networks for UN peace-keeping operations through peace-keeping seminars and training programmes. And in this spirit, Singapore would welcome a regional institute for peace-keeping training. Singapore has also subscribed to the UN Standby Arrangements since 1997. These Arrangements enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of UN peace-keeping efforts, and we have committed planning officers, military observers, medical personnel and police officers, as well as helicopters and transport aircraft on standby for UN peace-keeping missions. We will continue to explore what other ways we can help to make the world and especially our region more peaceful, stable and secure. Besides playing our role as a responsible member of the international community, our security is also strengthened through defence diplomacy.”
“There is a substantial volume of cooperation and interactions - some of which have carried on uninterrupted for 20 to 30 years. Both armed forces find these interactions to be of great benefit for professional development as well as for building friendship and understanding, and both sides have said they want these interactions to continue and be strengthened. Some Members have expressed concern about whether the SAF is prepared to deal with low intensity security problems and what measures the SAF will take. Sir, I informed the House in last year's Budget debate that MINDEF and the SAF will be working more closely with other Ministries and agencies, in particular the Home Team, to prepare contingency plans to deal with such problems. I am happy to inform the House that we have made good progress in developing many of the concepts, frameworks and operational plans to tackle issues involving low intensity conflict. However, it is not enough just to work out Singapore's own responses and contingency plans. There also has to be a stable environment. This means working to achieve peace and stability around the world, and in our region in particular. When regional peace and stability is threatened by problems in one country, recent history teaches us that international effort is sometimes necessary. The involvement of the international community in East Timor is one example. This means that we must work with other countries to develop the strength and vitality of the international system, both on the security and economic fronts, with the aim of promoting peace and stability. And we must be prepared to act in support of this aim. The United Nations has a vital role to play in bringing about a stable security situation in the region.”
“The unstable political and security situation will make economic recovery even more difficult for some countries, as it has severely undermined investor confidence in this region. Some of these developments could have a more direct impact on us. The violence in the Malukus and Kalimantan, for example, triggered off an exodus of tens of thousands of people fleeing from the violence. Similar outflows from areas nearer Singapore would have a direct impact on us and on our neighbour, Malaysia. Economic hardships have also led to a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants and a rise in piracy. Fortunately the SAF, working closely with the Home Team, has done well to keep these problems from affecting Singapore. The spate of illegal immigrants in 1998 was quickly brought under control after we stepped up surveillance and took tough action against those we caught. Piracy has risen in regional waters. But in the area in the Singapore Straits, where our Navy and Police Coast Guard conduct coordinated patrols with their Indonesian counterparts, there has been no report of piracy or sea robbery since April 1999. As Members are aware, the political developments in regional countries have had an impact on their relations with Singapore. We have been subjected to some criticisms, even some intemperate words have been used. These are perturbations in our relations with our neighbours which we have to manage with a combination of diplomacy and firmness. Mr Hawazi Daipi has asked whether the more negative attitude of some quarters has had an impact on our defence relations. Sir, the SAF's relations with the Indonesian Armed Forces remain robust.”
“The most important element in our defence policy is our people - their will and cohesiveness, and their willingness to face reality, make tough decisions and implement difficult measures. Another key element of this strong foundation is a strong defence capability. Without a credible defence force, we will not have the political space or peace of mind to focus on economic growth. We will not be able to secure our future. Nor will we be able to do our part to contribute to regional peace and stability. Dr Ong Chit Chung, Mr Sin Boon Ann and Mr Ravindran have asked me to comment on the security environment in the region. Sir, last year, I told this House that there was greater uncertainty in the regional security environment, and the developments of the past year have not allayed our concerns. How relations between the new US Administration and Beijing work out will determine the climate for the whole Asia-Pacific. A stable Sino-US relationship is vital for regional peace and stability. Relations between Japan and the US, and between Japan and China, will also have a bearing on regional stability. Singapore wants to see the triangular US-China-Japan relationship remain stable. And we continue to affirm the importance of a US military presence for regional stability and security. Nearer home, there are political transitions in several regional countries. Some of these transitions and leadership changes have been accompanied by considerable socio-economic dislocations and instability, and sometimes even by a breakdown of law and order and bloodshed. The political forces that have been unleashed will take a long time to settle down.”
“Sir, first, I would like to thank the Members of Parliament for their valuable and pertinent comments on our defence policy. We have enjoyed another year of peace and stability. We have gone through the economic crisis and emerged stronger. We can take pride that as a nation we remained cohesive, helped each other and took the bitter medicine that was necessary to enable us to recover quickly. Our experience in the last three years, 1997-1999, will help us in the coming years. It will not be smooth sailing ahead. The economic situation in the region has generally improved. But it is not yet clear what will happen to the US economy and the impact this will have on the regional economies, including Singapore's. One of the most important lessons we learnt from the Asian financial crisis was how quickly and unexpectedly things can take a turn for the worse. We should also not forget how the economic crisis quickly developed into political crisis in some countries. There was an immediate and devastating impact on political stability and social order and these effects continue to be felt in many parts of the region. None of us can help but feel concerned about the recent destabilising events which we read in our newspapers or watch on television. 4.00 pm Sir, as Dr Ong Chit Chung has said, as a small country in the middle of a rather turbulent region, Singapore would be wise not to take our peace and security for granted. We weathered the economic crisis well because our policies were built on a strong foundation. And we will need this same strong foundation to see us smoothly through the uncertainties that lie ahead.”
“MINDEF has given a detailed account of each of the cases cited in the Auditor-General's Report of 1998/99 during the recent Budget Debate on 14th March 2000. Just to reiterate, in all the breaches raised by the Auditor-General, there is no loss of funds due to misuse of funds or frauds. All the lapses have been rectified and all funds accounted for. MINDEF has also taken further measures to ensure that similar lapses do not occur again. WRITTEN ANSWER TO QUESTION HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS 1. Mr Tay Beng Chuan asked the Minister for National Development if the Housing and Development Board will relax and simplify its policies and rules governing the resale of HDB flats to enhance their market value and make it easier and faster for flat owners with changing needs and circumstances to shift their place of residence between HDB estates or between HDB estates and private residential estates.”
“Sir, I have dealt with some of the issues which have been raised by Members of Parliament who have spoken. My colleagues in the Defence Ministry will deal with the other issues which they have raised.”
“By doing our part to promote regional and international peace, we would also be enhancing our own security. Sir, at the national level, Mindef and the SAF will work more closely with other government agencies to enhance Singapore's capabilities to deal with a range of non-conventional threats, such as terrorist threats, piracy and cyber-attacks. I would like to assure Dr Ong Chit Chung and Mr Hawazi Daipi that we are very much alive to the dangers which terrorists can inflict on Singapore. This is a dimension of Total Defence that will take on greater significance in the years ahead. Sir, all these efforts will not be adequate without the backing of a united population committed to the defence of our country. Every Singaporean has a part to play in the defence of Singapore. The SAF's strength comes from each and every National Serviceman. As a small nation, we can only maintain an effective deterrence if we draw in all Singaporeans in Total Defence. Every in-camp training that our NSmen go to and every civil defence exercise that we participate in, is an investment in our own future. Sir, our success over the past 35 years would not have been possible without a defence capability. We have developed a thriving economy, our own distinct values and way of life, and above all, we have built and can be proud that we have a nation of our own. If we want to be able to carry on enjoying the fruits of our own work and the hard work of the Singaporeans who came before us, we must continue to ensure that we have the defence capability to protect us and to provide a firm foundation for Singapore's future development. Only then can we secure more good years of peace and stability and achieve our dreams and aspirations for ourselves and our children.”
“To support the new career structure, Mindef is introducing a savings and retirement plan for Warrant Officers and Specialists known as the Premium Plan. This provides financial flexibility and stability to better cater to their needs. Sir, while a strong SAF remains central in our defence strategy for the 21st century, we recognise that we also need to co-operate more closely with others to enhance Singapore's security. In the 21st century, there will be increasing interconnectedness among countries - not just in the economic sphere but also when it comes to security. The security and prosperity of a small and open country like Singapore are particularly vulnerable to developments elsewhere, many of which are beyond our control. Both our security and economic well-being will become even more susceptible to any instability in our external environment as we become more closely integrated into the global economy. Our borders may also become more porous to a diverse range of security threats, including non-conventional ones. We have to take a more integrated and co-operative approach to enhance our security. At the regional and international level, Singapore will work closely with friendly countries to promote dialogue, confidence-building and co-operation to maintain a peaceful and stable regional and international environment. Sir, over the years, we have built up extensive and good defence ties with many armed forces and defence establishments all over the world. And this is the issue raised by Dr Ong Chit Chung, Mr Hawazi Daipi and Mr Sin Boon Ann. We will do what we can to help promote greater defence co-operation and dialogue - not only within our region but also between our region and those outside.”
“With the setting up of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (or DSTA), which comes into effect tomorrow, we will be able to respond more quickly and flexibly to technological changes, as well as to transcend our manpower limitations by leveraging on external engineering expertise from either local or overseas organisations. But advanced weapon systems by themselves cannot win a war. It is people who win the war. And we must have good soldiers who can make good use of these high-tech weapon systems to the SAF's best advantage. Mindef has therefore always given priority to the recruitment and retention of good people in the SAF. And I thank Mr Hawazi Daipi for pointing this out. We launched a manpower management initiative in 1998, called "The New Partnership" for the SAF officers corps. The New Partnership aims to provide a first class career that is both challenging and rewarding. The New Partnership programme included changes to the career structure, remuneration package, career management and performance management of the officers. These changes have now been fully implemented. In January this year, we announced the New Partnership for Warrant Officers and Specialists who form the backbone of the SAF. Under this initiative, the Warrant Officer and Specialist career structure will be restructured into two parts. The Specialist stage covers the first 10 years of service in the SAF and emphasises the acquisition and application of skills-based knowledge. The second stage, the Warrant Officer stage, emphasises skills proficiency, experience and continuity. The plan also offers warrant officers more opportunities to upgrade themselves and to prepare high-performing servicemen for positions of leadership by giving them assistance for upgrading their qualifications.”
“The incorporation of advanced technology in weapon systems is enabling military forces to see the battlefield more clearly, make better informed decisions in a timely manner, and strike with more deadly accuracy, from greater distances than ever before. The upshot is that in war, having superior numbers is no longer enough. What is required is the capability to integrate platforms into a unified, flexible and effective fighting system. The side that can make the best use of technology will have the edge. The implication is that even a small country, like Singapore, can tilt the odds in its favour if it can make smarter use of technology than its opponents. The SAF is well placed to exploit technology. Many of those going into National Service have the education standards to be quickly and effectively trained to operate high-tech weapons and equipment. 60% of each cohort has at least A-level or Polytechnic qualifications. The SAF is constantly exploiting the opportunities presented by advances in technology. This goes beyond merely buying more advanced weapon systems. It also means being able to exploit the hardware to the fullest by constantly improving on our organisation, doctrines and training to keep the SAF highly capable. 4.00 pm Mindef will continue with our two-pronged approach to strengthen our technological base. Besides building up a strong indigenous defence technology capability to meet the SAF's requirements, we will also continue to expand our international linkages and strategic partnerships with foreign armed forces and research bodies.”
“It has long been our policy to cap our defence spending at 6% of our GDP and maintain this in a steady manner. This policy has served us well as it allows the SAF to take a long-term view of its capability development programmes and to structure them in the most efficient manner. Defence technology and doctrines are constantly evolving. We must continue to maintain a suitable level of defence spending each year to ensure that the SAF stands ready to meet any security challenges. In doing so, we are saying to our people: Singapore will remain a secure home for you and your children. We are saying to our investors: You can safely put your money in Singapore because it will remain a stable and secure place for your business. And we are saying to any potential aggressors: Singaporeans are vigilant and prepared to defend our country against any threats to our sovereignty and our vital national interests. Sir, as a result of our commitment and efforts, the SAF is today a balanced, integrated and operationally ready armed forces. The punch of the SAF comes not from its size but from its ability to fight as an integrated whole that is more powerful than the sum of its individual parts. Many established armed forces recognise the professional standards of the SAF and they are keen to exercise and train with us. Sir, I come to the point about technology in defence which has been raised by Dr Ong Chit Chung. Looking ahead, the advances in technology in the 21st century will confer new advantages to a small armed forces like the SAF. Traditionally, victory in combat depended on the ability to mobilise, deploy and utilise larger divisions or naval or air fleets. Skills certainly counted but numbers were decisive. However, technology is changing that balance.”
“While almost all Asian countries are today well on their way to economic recovery, there is greater uncertainty in the regional security environment - a point emphasised by Dr Ong Chit Chung and Mr Ravindran. There are still areas of political and social instability and a number of potentially destabilising issues remain unresolved. Examples are the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan Strait and the Spratlys. Time and time again over the past few years, we have seen just how quickly such disputes could trigger tension and threaten security and regional stability. Sir, it would not be wrong to say that all nations today desire peace and stability, and understand the importance of co-operating for mutual benefit. Unfortunately, it would also not be wrong to say that while we all hope and strive for peace, conflicts and tensions are very much unfortunately a fact of life. As a small and young nation, it is only prudent for Singaporeans to ensure that we continue to have a defence capability that is able to protect our sovereignty, territorial integrity and Singapore's national interests. For the past 35 years, we have done well in developing the SAF into a well-trained, highly motivated and technologically advanced armed force. The SAF has safeguarded our security and given Singapore more room to adopt policies and take actions which best serve our national interests. Without the SAF, Singapore may not have been able to remain the oasis of calm that we have been, amidst the turbulence and tensions in the region particularly in the past few years. But the SAF was not built up overnight. The professional force that we see today is the result of years of consistent effort and commitment - in training people, developing doctrines and investing in capabilities.”
“Sir, I thank the Members of Parliament for their comments and I will endeavour to answer their questions. Sir, our economic growth has rebounded strongly and we can all look forward to more growth this year. There will be challenges, and there will be opportunities. It is up to us to meet the challenges and to seize the opportunities. The speed of change is quite awesome and we shall have to continue to try to ride the changes to our advantage. In our efforts to achieve our vision of a best home for Singaporeans, we must never forget that our most basic requirement is security. For the past 35 years, Singapore has grown and prospered because we have peace and stability. Singaporeans know that they have a safe home, and investors know that it is safe to invest here. Singaporeans and foreign investors alike know that the Government is committed to investing in a defence capability to ensure the security of Singapore. Our firm commitment to defence must continue. If there is one thing that the exciting events in our region over the past few years have taught us, it is that we would be wise to be vigilant and prepared so that we can confidently and effectively deal with any negative fallout from economic and political developments elsewhere. We have also learnt how quickly things can take a turn for the worse; in fact, things can practically unravel, without any warning - I think a point made very cogently by Dr Ong Chit Chung. And when the situation turns bad, we have seen in recent years how quickly a country can deteriorate, but also how quickly a country emerges from a crisis situation depends on how solid its foundations are and what is the attitude of its people.”
“I just want to end by reassuring the Members, particularly Mr Hawazi Daipi, who speaks on behalf of the trade unions, that we are very conscious about the need to look after the interests of the workers in DSTA. I am confident that the DSTA management will take this heavy responsibility with its full import and discharge it fully. If they do not, Members can be sure that the Ministry of Defence will compel them to do so. One last point I missed is the suggestion by Mr Simon Tay with regard to the formation of a board of directors and that we should look for a wider representation. I think that is a good suggestion and we will take that into account. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY BILL Order for Second Reading read. 2.33 pm”
“One is on clause 11(2) which is to require employees to work, a point raised by Mr Ravindran, Mr Thomas and Mr Simon Tay. MINDEF and DSTA know that the last thing we want is to compel an unwilling employee to work because if an employee does not want to work, then obviously you are not likely to get much useful service out of him. But in certain circumstances, for the purposes of DSTA, where it is essential and necessary for DSTA to require the person to work, we must have that provision. Mr Simon Tay also asked about the Lands and Estates Organisation and why it comes under the DSTA. The ambit of the DSTA is a very large one. It includes not only science and technology but also providing logistics support to the SAF, and the Lands and Estates Organisation is required to be included in the DSTA for such purposes. With regard to the procurement powers of DSTA, a point raised by Mr Simon Tay, we will make sure that DSTA exercises its powers well and gets the best value for money spent in our defence effort. I would like to assure the House that even with the setting up of DSTA, we will continue to abide by the present guidelines we have for our defence expenditure, and that is not to exceed 6% of our GDP. Sir, some MPs also raised a point about secrecy and whether it is necessary to have another body in order to restrain the powers of the Minister for Defence with regard to matters regarding DSTA. Sir, many matters of defence, by their nature cannot be revealed publicly, and in such areas it is not possible to have another external body to supervise such matters in the DSTA. Sir, I think I have dealt with all the matters brought up by the Members of Parliament.”
“First, the essential regulations are intended for use only during national emergencies. It may alarm the public and bring about undesirable attention to the fact that Singapore is technically in a state of emergency and that the other articles of subsidiary legislation could be brought to bear at any time. Second, the existing essential regulations were passed between October 1964 and July 1996, and would seem extremely odd after a lapse of some 23 years to pass another set of essential regulations, arousing undesirable public attention and scrutiny of the regulations. Also, passing a set of essential regulations now might send the wrong signal to external parties and create unnecessary political and diplomatic difficulties. Sir, the provisions currently in the Enlistment Act providing for exigencies of service have served MINDEF well over the years in ensuring that our national defence readiness is not compromised. It will be prudent to continue this practice through the inclusion of an equivalent provision in the DSTA Act. Sir, I move to the other clause which has also been commented by many Members including Dr Ong, Mr Ravindran, Mr Gerard Ee and Mr Simon Tay and this is why the DSTA will not have to submit its annual report to Parliament. By its nature, the business of defence has to be conducted under a cloak of secrecy. This includes the work that DTG is doing now. The change to a statutory board does not remove the requirement for secrecy, and secrecy has to be maintained for many of the details of the activities and finances of DSTA. In the Bill, to provide an external check, the DSTA annual report will be submitted to a committee appointed by the Prime Minister. Sir, let me move on to the other points which have been raised by the other Members of Parliament.”
“Sir, I thank the Members for their comments and their perceptive suggestions regarding the DSTA Bill. Let me start off with comments regarding clause 11(4), the no-strike clause, which has been commented on by Dr Ong Chit Chung, Mr Ravindran, Mr Thomas Thomas and Mr Hawazi Daipi, and also the DSTA and the unions. Let me first say that DSTA's staff will be allowed to join unions. However, our national defence is of paramount importance to the survival and prosperity of our nation and, in this area, there cannot be any compromise. In times of tension, the DSTA, being the agency in charge of logistics, equipment acquisition and technical improvisation functions, is an integral part of MINDEF and the SAF. Currently, such functions are undertaken by non-uniformed personnel in the defence technology group in MINDEF who are not permitted to join unions. The move to legislate such personnel over to DSTA is to allow for organisational flexibility to cope with fast paced technological advances in the field of defence science. The jobs these staff perform and the criticality of these functions have not changed. The DSTA and the effectiveness of our national defence cannot be subjected to compromise by industrial action, particularly in times of tension and war and, for these reasons, the no-strike clause 11(4) is necessary. Sir, MINDEF, in drawing up this clause, also looked to see whether we could achieve the same effect under other legislation, eg, the Emergency Essential Powers Act. However, the Emergency Essential Powers Act only covers specific groups of persons, and the DSTA staff would have to be included in the subsidiary legislation of this Act through a presidential proclamation. We have some concerns in regulating DSTA's staff through this particular Act.”
“Clauses 22 to 29 provide for the transfer of property, assets, liabilities and employees to the Agency. Property, assets and liabilities as may be determined by the Minister for Finance will be transferred to the Agency. A substantial number of MINDEF and SAF employees currently employed in MINDEF, the SAF, and in the DSO National Laboratories, will be transferred to the Agency. They will be transferred on terms not less favourable than what they were enjoying immediately before the transfer. Clauses 30 to 34 are general provisions. Clause 32 provides for the preservation of secrecy. Conclusion Mr Speaker, Sir, we have always recognised the role of technology as an important force multiplier to give the SAF the edge. It is vital that we be proactive and innovative in exploiting technology. The Bill before the House sets out the legislative framework to establish the Defence Science and Technology Agency. The Agency will be nimble to respond quickly to changes in technology, so that the SAF can continue to receive cost-effective technology support to help it maintain its strategic edge. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“The corporatised DSO National Laboratories, which has about 900 staff, will remain a corporate entity; but its supervision and control will be transferred from MINDEF to the new Agency. The Ministry will retain responsibility for oversight and control of the new agency to ensure that the desired results are achieved. Key Provisions of the Bill Sir, I now move on to the key aspects of the Bill. Clause 5 of the Bill, read together with the First Schedule, provides for the constitution of the Board of Directors of the Agency. The Minister for Defence will appoint the Chairman and directors of the Board. The Chief Executive of the Agency will be appointed with the approval of the Minister, under clause 10. Clause 6 sets out the mission and functions of the Agency. The Agency shall harness and exploit science and technology, and provide technological and engineering support, to meet the defence and national security needs of Singapore. Its broad functions are to advise the Ministry of Defence on all matters relating to defence science and technology, to provide defence science and technology services and facilities to MINDEF, and to promote and facilitate the development of defence technological capability in Singapore. Clause 7 sets out the powers of the Agency. Among other things, the Agency will be empowered to form companies and participate in joint ventures. Clauses 10 to 13 pertain to appointments of the Chief Executive, officers and employees of the Agency. Special provisions have been included to guarantee the Agency's continued operations, especially in times of emergency. Clauses 14 to 21 are the financial provisions. The main source of funding for the Agency will be in the form of fees for services and functions performed.”
“Technology has always been, and will continue to be critical to the SAF in the 21st century. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate. As new technology and systems emerge, existing ones become obsolete. To ensure that the SAF maintains and sharpens its technological edge, MINDEF needs to be able to respond more quickly and flexibly to technological change. Yet, it will be impractical for MINDEF to simply continue to expand its engineering talent pool. This will only distort the deployment of the national engineering resource. Instead of simply growing larger, we have to do things smarter. To transcend our manpower limitations, we need to effectively tap on external engineering expertise from either local or overseas organisations. Sir, to meet these challenges, it is imperative that we find new ways of repositioning and re-organising ourselves. At present, the DTG in MINDEF undertakes the whole range of technology functions, from policy formulation to acquisition, maintenance and development. Although this structure was suitable for the build up of our capabilities in the past, it is not optimal and cannot provide the degree of nimbleness and flexibility that will be required in the future. Therefore, MINDEF has decided to form a new statutory board to provide a more flexible and nimble framework to implement defence technology policies and plans. MINDEF will then be better able to concentrate on the core Ministry functions of policy, planning and resource allocation. Formation of DSTA The new Agency is to be formed by merging all the procurement and science and technology-related entities of the Ministry of Defence. It will serve as an agent of MINDEF and the SAF in achieving their scientific, technological and equipping goals. These entities have about 2,400 staff.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Introduction Sir, the Bill before this House seeks to establish a statutory board to be known as the Defence Science and Technology Agency. The new Agency is to be formed from the Defence Technology Group in the Ministry of Defence, together with parts of the Defence Administration Group in the Ministry dealing with science and technology. The Agency will be charged with the responsibility of providing the most cost-effective and appropriate leading-edge technology to the SAF. Background Sir, allow me to briefly trace the history of the Defence Technology Group and its roles in supporting the SAF since the beginning of the Republic of Singapore. The Defence Technology Group had its origins in the Logistics Division of the Ministry of Interior and Defence, set up in 1966. Defence industries were set up in 1967 and research laboratories in 1972. MINDEF was the first Ministry to embrace IT with the set up of the Systems and Computer Organisation in 1979. Today, the Defence Technology Group is a smart defence equipment buyer as well as a leader in applying new technologies to defence applications. It performs a wide range of functions for MINDEF and the SAF, ranging from research and development to maintenance support, procurement to defence industry development. Under the prevailing system, the SAF concentrates on training and operations, while the Ministry of Defence provides the manpower and financial resources as well as the procurement and technological support. Rationale for Statutory Board Mr Speaker, Sir, I explained in Parliament in March last year the rationale for the formation of the statutory board, which I would like to reiterate this afternoon.”
“The number of fatal accidents and injuries in the SAF has decreased steadily over the last 3 years. The number of fatal accidents had decreased significantly from 6 in 1997 to 1 in 1999, while the number of training injuries had dropped by 45% in the same period. This improvement is the result of sustained efforts by the SAF to improve safety, and has been achieved without lowering the tempo of training and training standards. In 1997, the SAF conducted a major review of its military training safety system. Since then, it has put in place mechanisms to regularly review the training safety procedures. In addition, safety inspections in all training activities and safety education amongst officers and men are emphasised; schemes to encourage suggestions from units to improve the safety of military training and exercises have been introduced; and a high-level standing committee, chaired by the Chief of Defence Force, was set up to oversee the promotion of safety efforts in every aspect of SAF training and exercises. SAF will continue to ensure that the military training and exercises are conducted safely. SALE OF HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD TENANTED SHOPS 23. Mr Ong Ah Heng asked the Minister for National Development, now that the economy is recovering, whether the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will consider selling the next batch of HDB tenanted shops in the near future.”
“FUNDING FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND 28. Mr Chuang Shaw Peng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether his Ministry has plans to secure more funding for the Skills Development Fund. BG George Yong-Boon Yeo: Currently, employers contribute to SDF at 1% of the monthly remuneration of workers drawing salary of $1,000 or less a month. In FY98, the SDF collected some $20.4 million in such levies. Despite the economic slowdown, the SDF supported a record 564,375 training places in FY98, which is a 6% increase from the previous year. This translates to one training place for every three persons in the workforce, compared to only one training place for every ten persons in FY86. With the increased level of training activity, the total grant commitment has risen to $88.4 million in FY98, exceeding collections significantly. Although there is no danger of immediate depletion of SDF funds, the current rate of disbursement versus collection is clearly not sustainable. The present salary cut-off of $1,000 was raised from the previous ceiling of $750 in April 1995. In the 1995 Budget Debate, the Minister for Finance had given notice that the Skills Development Levy would be further adjusted over time to ensure that the SDF has adequate funds to help upgrade Singapore's workforce for the 21st Century. My Ministry is currently studying how this adjustment can be made, taking into account the state of the economy. We will not want to make any increases to the levy until the economy has fully recovered. LISTING OF COMPANIES FROM TEMASEK GROUP 29. Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government will give details about the listing of Companies from the Temasek Group.”
“In the past 3 years, an average of 50 cases a year were granted deferment on compassionate grounds. MINDEF also grants deferment to those whose medical or physical condition renders them temporarily unfit for enlistment. The deferment is to enable them to recover from their medical and physical conditions. In the past 3 years, an average of 130 registrants are granted deferment on medical grounds each year. ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO SAVE WATER 25. Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Trade and Industry, in view of the rising consumption of water whether the Government will launch an annual campaign to save water. BG George Yong-Boon Yeo : Our water consumption actually declined in 1998. The average daily water consumption fell by 0.3% in 1998, a reversal from an increase of 5 % and 4.2 % in 1997 and 1996 respectively. The first five months of 1999 also saw a decline of 2.9 % in the average daily water consumption. This is partly due to the economic downturn and the measures we introduced to conserve water. Water tariffs were restructured in 1997 to reflect the strategic importance and scarcity of water. The third increase of water tariff, of four annual increments, has just been implemented on 1st July 1999. The Public Utilities Board organises an annual programme to promote the conservation of water as a way of life for Singaporeans. The programme covers a range of activities including publicity, visits to waterworks, water conservation talks to schools, "save water" exhibits at community functions, and the distribution of "save water" leaflets. In some years, we also mount a "save water" campaign. There was a "save water" campaign last year, but this need not be done annually. PUB will press on with its programme of water conservation activities.”
“Singaporean males are liable for full-time National Service enlistment once they are 18 years old. For practical reasons, MINDEF, in general, defers their enlistment to allow them to complete the course of study they are undertaking when they turn 18. This means that MINDEF would generally grant deferment from full time national service to allow them to complete their GCE A level, ITE or diploma studies. We also grant deferment for university studies if the applicant is able to commence his course of study before the enlistment age. For overseas university studies, he will have to commence his studies before the age of 17 1/2. The numbers of persons granted deferment for tertiary (i.e. diploma and undergraduate) studies fluctuate from year to year. On average, over the last 4 years, about 4000-5000 deferments are granted annually for local tertiary studies, primarily in the local polytechnics. In addition, about 100 deferments are granted for overseas tertiary studies each year. I am unable to provide a further breakdown of these figures by field of study because we do not keep such records since field of study is not a factor for consideration for deferment. On compassionate grounds, MINDEF also grants deferment to males if enlisting them for full-time national service will cause them and their family severe financial or social hardship. All applications for deferment on this ground are evaluated by an Advisory Board which comprises representatives from both the public and private sectors and which will make a recommendation to the Commander of Central Manpower Base. Deferment, if granted, is meant to give the males concerned time to sort out their financial or social problems before they are enlisted.”
“I met people who came from broken homes and some who were thrown out by their own families. In short, people who have had a much, much harder life than I. But I remember these men as loyal, faithful and honourable men who will not abandon you if things got rough. I have no doubt that if the need ever arises, and we have to fight, these men will not let us down. Whenever I go back for Reservist training, I try to keep that in mind. Their sacrifice is greater because they have no other recourse - they can't simply emigrate and it is extremely difficult for them to go to university.' Sir, 3rd Sergeant Chong concludes his letter by stating that the lesson which he learned from his experience in the army is a simple one, and I quote again from his letter. This is what he says about what he learnt from his army experience: 'Whatever you can't defend, doesn't belong to you.' Sir, the last sentence of 3rd Sergeant Chong's letter, to me, sums up more eloquently than any words which I can say to explain why defence is important to Singapore and why we need a strong SAF. "Whatever you can't defend, doesn't belong to you." In this time of uncertainty, Sir, a sustained and steady effort to maintain and enhance our defence capability is our guarantee that all that we have built up in Singapore over the last 35 years will belong to us. A strong SAF, supported by all Singaporeans through their commitment to Total Defence will ensure that we will not only emerge from these difficult times unscathed but continue to enjoy peace, stability and prosperity into the next century. Much obliged, Sir.”
“MINDEF also works closely with the Ministry of Education, and conducts its own national education programmes for school children, so that young Singaporeans have a greater awareness and better understanding of defence and security issues. Sir, Singaporeans have to understand why we cannot take our security for granted and why each and every one of us has an important role to play in ensuring the security of our nation. Sir, I want to end my remarks this afternoon by quoting from a letter which was published in the New Paper last Friday, 5th March 1999. The letter is from 3rd Sergeant (Reservist) Chong Yu Meng on his experience during national service and what the SAF means to him. I quote from 3rd Sergeant Chong's letter: 'I remembered being really terrified of going into the Army when I was 17 - right up to the day I turned up at the old CMPB near Holland Village. I was scared because I was unfit (I couldn't even do one chin-up back then, and my running time for 2.4 km was 13 minutes and 35 seconds), and I didn't know what to expect at all. The training was tough and sometimes I felt really miserable. I used to moan about feeling cold, wet, tired, hungry, thirsty, sleepy and sometimes nervous - all at the same time. By the time I "turned operational", the Army had turned me from a 69 kg weakling into someone who could do at least 18 chin-ups, run 2.4 km at the speed of 9 minutes and 15 seconds (which was pretty fast for me then). I was in a Junior College before entering the Army. I lived in a nice cosy world where everyone I knew came from a nice family and is reasonably well off, and University was a natural progression. But in the Army, I began to see that the world is a lot more diverse than I could ever imagine.”
“The task force will examine the organisational structure of the Ministry headquarters, MINDEF's relationships with the SAF, the DSTA and the defence industry, and its decision-making support infrastructure. When the task force has delivered its recommendations and these have been implemented, the result will be a Defence Ministry that is correctly geared to define problems, formulate strategies, establish policies and allocate resources for maximum effectiveness in developing Singapore's capability. Sir, a credible defence force does not depend only on hardware and capable people. A credible defence force depends ultimately on "heartware". At the core of Singapore's defence capability must be the will of each and every Singaporean to defend our nation. The economic crisis has brought home to us the importance of Total Defence. We have seen how critical strong social cohesion is when countries are faced with a severe crisis. As new challenges emerge, our cohesiveness and unity as a people will be further put to the test. We must continue to remain united and face these challenges together. We must leave others with no doubt that Singaporeans are a cohesive people, united not only in good times but also in facing difficult times. That we are a people who will not allow ourselves to be exploited by those who may try to play on our fears and vulnerabilities. This is why MINDEF makes it a point to remind our people, especially young Singaporeans, of the need for a strong national defence, as well as of the important contributions that each and every Singaporean can and must make to enhance our defence capability. In the SAF, we have had for many years a National Education programme which reaches out to NSmen, regulars and non-uniformed personnel.”
“Sir, Members will remember that MINDEF had corporatised the Defence Science Organisation (DSO) two years ago in order to give it more flexibility to manage its people, and to subject its R&D efforts to the discipline of the market-place for greater efficiency and responsiveness. That was only the first step in the strategic shift in how MINDEF positions itself to meet the challenge of defence science and technology. The restructuring of the DTG will allow us to complete the process of building high performance organisations to better anticipate, respond to and exploit the future trends and challenges in the technology sector, so that the SAF can continue to receive world-class technology support to help it maintain its strategic edge into the next millennium. MINDEF will table a Bill to seek Parliament's approval to set up the DSTA in due course. In conjunction with the setting up of DSTA, MINDEF is reviewing whether the rest of MINDEF Headquarters can be restructured so that MINDEF can carry out its core functions optimally. At the time of our independence in 1965, our immediate priority was to quickly build up our defence capability. We did that very well by having a MINDEF that was self-contained and hence able to respond quickly and effectively to the nation's defence needs. However, MINDEF and the SAF have grown in maturity and size since those early days. It is timely to examine whether a leaner Ministry headquarters that concentrates on anticipating and exploiting defence trends and challenges can better meet our defence needs. This concept is akin to the practice of 'right-sizing' in the world of business. 2.45 pm Sir, I have decided to set up a task force to be led by Minister of State Mr David Lim to conduct a comprehensive organisational review of MINDEF.”