SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 2.15 pm

The Minister for Defence (Dr Lee Boon Yang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, I have already addressed the aspect of the Bill concerning the nomenclature changes. I will now address the amendments to provide for the non-uniformed SAF scheme of service.

The non-uniformed SAF scheme of service, otherwise known as NUSAF, was established for a large number of non-combat jobs in the SAF. These jobs require the incumbents to have good working knowledge of the organisation and operations of the military, but they do not need to serve in uniform. Furthermore, it is anticipated that in the long-term, Mindef would experience staffing difficulties. Mindef's ability to recruit uniformed military personnel would be affected by the shrinking labour pool resources.

The NUSAF scheme of service enables Mindef to retain people in the SAF without requiring them to go through the military career path. It allows military personnel to convert to the non-uniformed scheme, thereby allowing them to serve in non-combat appointments in the SAF till the age of 60. This measure ensures that the SAF combat personnel are kept young and energetic. On the other hand, experience is maintained in the support units of Mindef and SAF.

Sir, NUSAF personnel are enlisted under the Enlistment Act and governed by the SAF Act. Many provisions in the SAF Act are based on the structure of ranks and are therefore not applicable to NUSAF personnel. NUSAF personnel do not hold a rank. Thus, provisions must be included in the SAF to provide for them.

Sir, the proposed amendment will, first, define a non-uniformed serviceman or NUSAF serviceman as a regular serviceman whose terms of service do not require him to wear uniform. Secondly, modify provisions of the Act relating to disciplinary processes to enable them to cater for NUSAF servicemen. Lastly, enable the Armed Forces Council to make regulations giving effect to the NUSAF scheme of service and to exclude or vary the operation of the Act in relation to NUSAF servicemen.

The new provisions in the SAF Act would take into account the differences between NUSAF and military schemes and would remain sufficiently similar to and consistent with the military system.

Sir, I beg to move.

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 Lee Boon Yang].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.