CONCEPT OF TOTAL DEFENCE

Mr Lim Boon Heng asked the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health, in view of the greater emphasis given to the concept of total defence, what is the Ministry of Defence doing to ensure that the public develops a better understanding of this concept; what does the Ministry expect in terms of commitment and direct response from the public, and whether the Ministry has any plans to educate our youth and make them more aware of the need for commitment to defend the nation.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong (for the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, this question is a very broad one and a very long one, and therefore I intend to be as brief as possible yet do justice to this particular question.

Military action is not the only means by which potential aggressors may attempt to put pressure on Singapore. Long before the first soldier is moved against us, we would have been attacked verbally, psychologically and economically. Total Defence is the means whereby we organize ourselves to be able to with stand such "attacks" in all areas which may threaten the survival of Singapore. Such an approach is along the lines of the Swiss defence planning, where Total Defence comprises not only military defence and civil defence, but also economic defence, social defence and psychological defence.

Military Defence is the special responsibility of the SAF under the charge of MINDEF. The Ministry of Home Affairs is in charge of Civil Defence. The responsibility for economic defence, social defence and psychological defence is rather more diffused. But clearly, we have to so organize our activities, to strengthen our social framework and to imbue our citizens with pride and loyalty to the nation such that the aggressor will find no weaknesses that he can exploit. If we create any internal conflict, the aggressor will most certainly exploit them. The Swiss have over many years carefully built their government machinery upon the concept of Total Defence. We have to attune our citizens to thinking of defence in a similar manner.

But planning for military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence can only do so much. The most critical element is the attitude of the individual citizen. Total Defence requires that each citizen makes a life-long commitment to the well-being and progress of Singapore. It requires also that we build up confidence in the citizen himself, that he and his fellow citizens will come to the defence of the nation. This is not merely a call for patriotism or the demonstration of loyalty. Rather, it is action which must make it abundantly clear that the defence of Singapore is ultimately a collective duty. If we Singaporeans do not make the effort to defend ourselves, who will? Bringing the message of Total Defence home to our citizens will help them to realize that the defence of the nation does not rest on the SAF alone, nor is defence to be planned only in terms of military and civil defence.

Coming to the second part of the question, our defence capability is ultimately dependent on the moral courage and commitment of our citizen soldiers as well as our non-soldier citizens. The SAF has a national education programme to educate its servicemen on the importance of national service and to instil in them a sense of confidence and commitment. A concerted programme is presently being worked out to educate our citizens at large in the following precepts:

(1) Singapore is our homeland and its well-being is every citizen's responsibility.

(2) Singapore is worth defending.

(3) Singapore is defensible. We have the resources, the means, and the will to ensure the nation's continued well-being.

(4) If we ourselves are not prepared to defend Singapore, no one will do the job for us.

(5) It is only with peace and stability that we can progress and prosper but it is up to us to be prepared to defend ourselves at all times.

Sir, MINDEF's advertising programme, recently made public, centres around the theme: "The SAF: Because A Generation's Effort Can Be Wiped Out In Days". This is only the first step of our educational programme for the nation. Changing attitudes and perceptions is always a long process. One thing is certain: the efforts will not succeed if MINDEF is expected to do it alone. This is a national effort requiring the support of all in positions of influence and responsibility, be they parents, teachers, employers, hon. Members of this House, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture as well as the various mass media bodies. All Singaporeans must rally to this national endeavour for our own and for our children's sake.

Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens): Sir, with reference to total defence, may I know from the Hon. Minister of State whether there is any plan to introduce national service to the women?

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, this subject, I believe, has been brought up in this House before. The answer then was "No". The answer still is "No".