HEAD J - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Head J - Ministry of Defence (cont.)

Resumption of Debate on Question [4th March, 2005],

That the total sum to be allocated for Head J of the Estimates be reduced by $100. - [Mr R Ravindran].

Question again proposed.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng): Sir, on behalf of the Defence Minister, let me, first, address the comments raised by Mr Ravindran, Dr Warren Lee and Dr Teo Ho Pin on defence technology.

Defence technology is a crucial force multiplier to overcome the constraints of a small country. Over the years, we have built up defence technology capabilities in the Defence, Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), DSO National Laboratories, the Temasek Laboratories and Singapore Technology Engineering. Although DSTA, DSO and the Temasek Laboratories conduct the bulk of the defence R&D, we have also established partnerships with our local universities and research institutes to tap on all available talent pool to carry out the more upstream research. We also collaborated with foreign R&D partners from countries such as the US, France, Israel, Sweden and the UK to complement what we can do on our own.

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To ensure that our defence R&D funds are prudently invested, there is a dedicated agency, DSTA, to manage the investments and ensure that we invest in areas with potentially high pay offs for defence. The R&D agency best able to deliver each of the pay offs is contracted by DSTA to conduct the R&D, whether it be the DSO, our local defence companies, the laboratories in our educational institutions or foreign agencies.

In the coming years, the key priority for MINDEF and the SAF is to transform our fighting force into the third generation (3G) SAF. Advances in areas such as sensors, communications, networks, precision weapons, unmanned systems, modelling and simulation, open up many new possibilities. It is not so much individual platforms but the synergy from networking different platforms, sensors and weapons that will give the SAF much greater potency on the battle field. Hence, we have started to align the development of our defence industry capabilities to support the new demands of the 3G SAF.

Each year, the more significant achievements are publicly recognised through the Defence Technology Prize award. For example, one of the winners last year was the team from ST Engineering that developed an indigenous Air Bursting Munitions System (ABMS). The ABMS enhances the SAF's effectiveness in urban operations, an area of concern raised by Dr Teo Ho Pin. It would enable our soldiers to engage more effectively in built-up areas where the adversaries may have the advantage of fighting from behind windows, on roof tops and at corner of buildings.

Last November, MINDEF and the SAF organised a defence technology exhibition called 3G SAF TechX, specially to showcase many of our R&D achievements. This included our capabilities in comprehensive awareness,

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precision strike, unmanned operations and network-centric warfare.

MINDEF's strategy to leverage on collaborative partnerships with the local defence industry has also borne fruit. The partnership with ST Engineering has allowed MINDEF and the SAF to progress from being a pure buyer to one who has the ability to integrate and adapt systems from a wide variety of sources. This partnership has brought about the local development of systems to meet our specific needs, such as the Primus self-propelled artillery and our naval frigates. It has allowed us to develop a strategic capability to respond robustly and quickly to deal with unforeseen situations.

One of the best examples was when we developed the Infrared Fever Sensing System, more commonly known as the thermal scanner, which was deployed at all our checkpoints during the SARS outbreak in 2003. This was done all within a week. Also developed for our hospitals during the SARS period was the "Contact, Track and Trace" system. This was based on Commercial Off-The-Shelf Radio Frequency Identification Technology. So, as proposed by Dr Warren Lee, Commercial Off-The-Shelf or COTS technology is used whenever practicable.

Recently, in the tsunami relief operations, a new product of ST Electronics, a mini VSAT satellite communications terminal, was also rapidly fielded. The mini VSAT satellite allows video streaming between the remote parts of Aceh and Singapore.

Sir, Dr Warren Lee has also asked about the Defence, Medical and Environmental Research Institute (DMERI). This is a division of DSO. Amongst others, it conducts R&D in chemical and biological defences to enhance the safety, survivability and performance of our soldiers. Examples include studies to

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mitigate heat load, management of heat stroke, studies to identify the genes that cause myopia, soldier injury prevention and combat care.

In the chemical defence area, DMERI is the national authority representing Singapore in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It is one of 16 internationally designated laboratories of the OPCW. It conducts tests on samples of chemical poisons and toxins, as part of Singapore's contribution to the international efforts against proliferation of chemical weapons.

DMERI also supports the Police and SCDF to test and verify both chemical and biological environmental samples. DMERI has also been assisting the Police in testing letters believed to have contained anthrax - post 9-11.

During the SARS crisis, DMERI assisted the Ministry of Health to identify and characterise the SARS virus in its bio-safety-level-3 (BSL3) laboratory. Its high throughput diagnostic services were used to test clinical samples. This high throughput capability will be extremely useful in other outbreaks such as the bird flu, if it should come.

In the recent tsunami, DMERI was the first field public health laboratory to deploy at Banda Aceh, as part of the SAF's humanitarian relief efforts. One of the threats facing the survivors of the tsunami was an outbreak of infectious diseases, following the destruction of public health infrastructure there. The World Health Organisation warned of diseases such as cholera, malaria and dengue fever. DMERI established a field microbiology laboratory in Banda Aceh alongside the SAF medical team. The laboratory supported the medical doctors by providing laboratory tests for infectious diseases and for water samples to ensure potability. It also shared the laboratory data and experience with the teams from

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WHO which were coordinating the public health relief efforts.

Dr Warren Lee also asked about R&D relating to the smaller Asian body frame. In order to ensure proper man-machine interface with our smaller body frame, DMERI conducts human factor studies for SAF equipment development and acquisitions. An example of the benefits of such studies is the SAR 21 assault rifle, which was developed indigenously in Singapore.

Mr Ravindran and Dr Warren Lee want to know the scope for the commercialisation of our defence R&D. Let me state that the primary mission of MINDEF's R&D outfits is for the defence of Singapore. However, where defence technology can be transferred to private entities to benefit public health in general, our outfits will do so. An off-shoot of DMERI's infections research is the establishment of a bio-tech start-up company based on its invention of a microfluidic bio-chip. This rapid diagnostic system has been used to diagnose and type dengue virus infections, and will be used for typing the bird flu virus as well. The company will sell affordable rapid molecular diagnostic systems to all users.

Finally, on defence technology, let me assure Dr Teo Ho Pin that MINDEF has been focusing on defence technology development since 1972, some 33 years ago, when 'ETC', the predecessor of DSO was set up by Dr Goh Keng Swee. Today, DSO and DSTA have over 2,000 highly capable and committed scientists and engineers. They also offer many scholarships each year to ensure a 'pipeline' of talents so that we will not only remain at the cutting edge but continue to produce our own secret-edge measures and counter measures.

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Sir, Dr Wang Kai Yuen has asked some very thoughtful questions about offsets in defence procurement. Unfortunately, MINDEF's experience with offsets in the 1980s was not encouraging. Our experience showed that the benefits accruing from offsets are much less than they appear to be on the surface. The price of the product would inadvertently be raised and, often-times raised disproportionately to the benefits received by us by way of offsets. Our experience showed that the contractor could mark up the price by as high as 7-8% in return for their offset obligations. This amount goes towards the administration and funding of such offsets. Essentially, we would have to pay for what we get. So Dr Wang's initial reservations about offset programmes are indeed well founded.

The large offset credit values quoted by the contractor look appealing. However, the actual benefits that the purchasing country gets would only be a fraction of it. For example, a contractor might multiply his cost by a factor as high as 10. The value of the offset work the contractor gives out would also often not be priced based on true market value, but what the contractor deems it to be worth.

Our experience in the 80s showed that the higher cost of procurement will negate the benefits received. For example, as part of an offset for defence purchase, one of our local companies was offered the opportunity to manufacture an aft door for a commercial aircraft in return for our defence procurement. The offset credit value would include items such as huge chunks of the non-recurring R&D costs that the contractor has invested over the many years. In addition, as it turned out, our local company would be making a loss for each door that they produced. So, although there is new work for our local company, it was experiencing negative benefits. The company therefore even explored outsourcing the work to China! The

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lesson that we learnt is that our companies must be fundamentally competitive in their own right.

Sir, we have since discarded the practice of offsets and have no plans to reintroduce it. Straightforward, clean and clear contracts ensure that we get good value for money. In this way, our contractors could be held accountable for the primary product that they are to deliver, and would not be distracted by trying to fulfil peripheral offset requirements. Additionally, waste and leakages from complicated and obscure offset arrangements are also avoided.

12.15 pm

Mr Leong Horn Kee has asked about the progress of the two-year NS full-time programme and prospects for NSFs to disrupt their NS for further studies. The two-year

full-time National Service (NS) duration was implemented smoothly with an immediate reduction of two to four months for in-service personnel since last July. From December 2004, all full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) are enlisted for a period of two years. The training systems for units and commanders have been adjusted to take into consideration the shorter effective deployment period.

With a shortened full-time NS duration and a more compact and optimised NS training regime, we will naturally have less flexibility to grant disruption. However, a shortened NS period will also mean that there is less need for disruption because many more NSFs will be able to complete their NS before proceeding for higher education than was the case before. There should not be any case of NSFs who would proceed for higher education later than they do before the reduction in NSF duration.

The principle we will continue to adhere to for disruption is that of equity by school cohort. This means that we

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will allow NSFs of the same school cohort to commence further studies in the same academic year. This will ensure that NSFs who are enlisted later are not disadvantaged in their pursuit of higher education vis-a-vis their peers of the same school cohort who are enlisted earlier. The disruption guidelines are now being finalised and will be disseminated to the unit commanders and NSFs once they are ready.

Sir, MINDEF currently allows those who have commenced overseas university studies before they reach 17 1/2 years old to complete their first degree. This is because we only enlist NS-liable males at the earliest opportunity upon their turning 18 years of age, and we would not want this group to have to wait unduly for enlistment if they had already commenced university studies before 17 1/2 years old. We could do this, from an operational viewpoint, because this group of students is very small as most students would enter university after they reach 18 years old.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock has suggested that the provision for deferment for overseas university students be further relaxed so that more overseas university students can defer enlistment. Let me explain why this is not desirable.

Sir, NS-liable males are enlisted at the earliest opportunity upon reaching the age of 18 years old. We require them to perform NS while they are young and fit, as this allows them to better withstand the rigours of military training. Sir, if we liberalise the deferment policy further until they complete their degrees, regardless of their age on enrolment to both overseas and local universities, then some 5,400 or 20% of our NS-liable males will be enlisted at a much later age - 22 years old or so. They will generally find it harder to keep pace with the rigours of military training. Our operational readiness will be affected.

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NS is a significant phase in the life of young Singaporean males. It marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Enlisting a cohort of NS-liable males after they have attained the basic educational qualification, and in their formative years, allows them to undergo a shared collective experience in NS and establish stronger bonds within their cohort, before they embark on their further studies and careers. These strong bonds are an integral part of NS. They form the basis for the camaraderie and comradeship which makes for a cohesive fighting force. If we allow NS-liable males who are pursuing overseas university courses to serve NS at an older age, they would find it much harder to fit in with the younger cohort who are enlisted together with them.

In addition, equity is one of the key principles of our NS policies. It would not be fair to defer those studying overseas to complete their university studies before enlistment, when this is not allowed for those who pursue local university studies. If we do so, it will undermine support for NS amongst our people and unravel the very foundation upon which the security and stability of Singapore is built on.

Sir, the Member has argued that NS default rate will fall if we allow NS-liable males to defer their enlistment and remain overseas for an extended period of time until they complete their Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and so forth. I am not sure about that.

MINDEF's policy is to enlist them at the earliest opportunity when they reach 18 years of age. During these two formative years in NS, our men share a common rigorous training programme, bond as a team and exercise as a cohesive fighting force. They begin to understand the limitations and needs of

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the nation, make common sacrifices and contribute to nation-building and the defence of the country. They literally grow up together and this bonds them to their comrades and to our country. I believe that requiring them to return to serve NS with their peers early in their lives and avoiding extended stay overseas would actually reduce NS default rate, and not increase it. The facts will bear this out. The total number of NS-liable males asked to return after their overseas high school but defaulted in the last five years averages about four a year.

Sir, Mr Chay Wai Chuen asked about the fitness level of our NSmen. Physical fitness of individual serviceman is critical to the operational readiness of the SAF. Our regular servicemen, full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and NSmen (operationally ready national servicemen) are required to maintain a defined level of physical fitness. We use the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) to assess their fitness. First implemented in 1980, the IPPT system has undergone regular review and has been benchmarked against other military forces to ensure that it remains current and relevant to our needs.

I am pleased to report that the physical fitness of our regular servicemen, NSFs and NSmen has been good. Over the last five years, an average of 80% of these NSFs and NSmen, who participated in IPPT, obtained at least a pass in the test, with 47% attaining Gold or Silver awards. NSmen who fail their IPPT would also be made to undergo progressive remedial training.

While the IPPT assesses fitness at the individual level, the SAF has benchmarks to evaluate the fitness and operational standards of both our active and NS units at the organisational level. Such evaluation is done on a competitive basis among SAF units. Examples of such competitions are the Annual Best Unit Competition and Best NS Unit

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Competition. NSmen, NSFs and regulars in the participating units are subjected to the same rigorous assessments and are required to fulfil various test factors, such as the Combat Proficiency Evaluations which measure combat fitness.

The SAF also continually benchmarks against other professional military forces through participation in multilateral and bilateral exercises. Feedback on our soldiers from such exercises serves as a good gauge of their physical fitness and combat endurance. The positive comments received thus far are indeed a testimony to our progressive training methodologies that develop our soldiers to meet the exacting standards of physical and combat fitness and soldiering skills.

Mr Chairman, Sir, I thank Mr Alex Chan for his concerns on the commitment of our youths to National Service. MINDEF conducts regular surveys to see where our youths stand in the defence of Singapore. Our surveys show that commitment levels to defend Singapore remain high, at more than 90% of those surveyed. The vast majority has strong support for National Service (NS) and Total Defence.

This is comforting for all of us. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, MINDEF has spared no effort in continuing to strengthen youths' commitment to national defence. For example, MINDEF holds regular security seminars and organised visits to SAF units, including SAF open houses, for students in our junior colleges, centralised institutes, ITEs and polytechnics. These events are very popular and well attended by the students. Similar programmes are also organised for all trainee teachers graduating from the National Institute of Education as they help imbue the values of serving NS to our school children.

MINDEF recognises that the commitment of our NSmen is related to their NS experience. Therefore, we are

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committed to enhance their experience in NS. We regularly review our NS policies to ensure that they remain relevant to the changing environment. We do not keep our full-time National Servicemen any longer than it is necessary to meet the SAF's operational needs. For this reason, amongst others, we have reduced full-time NS duration from 2 1/2 years to two years from December last year. They undergo proper and realistic training and are deployed in appointments and vocations that make good use of their skills and abilities, wherever possible. Towards the end of their two-year service, we try our best to transit them to civilian life in various ways. One of the ways is our e-Prep scheme. NSFs can participate in a wide variety of online courses to better prepare them for transition from NS to the workplace or further studies.

MINDEF also recognises that as citizen soldiers, our operationally-ready national servicemen (NSmen) have to balance the demands of work responsibilities, family commitments and NS duties. A vast majority of our citizens are committed to the defence and security of Singapore - citizens who will not flinch from the responsibility of national defence when called upon to do so. Mr Alex Chan is one such example. He holds the rank of a Colonel and is a Brigade Commander in the SAF. He has also volunteered to serve even after completing his NS cycle of 13 years. Colonel Chan's dedication as an NSman is commendable and his commitment is indeed a fine example for others to emulate.

Sir, we understand the challenges that our NSmen face and appreciate their contribution to the defence of Singapore. MINDEF is committed to recognising the contributions of NSmen. I will address this when I speak on RECORD IV.

To enhance the NS experience, continuing efforts are also made to

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improve service quality standards and to streamline NS administration to better serve our NSmen. MINDEF has recently introduced a number of e-initiatives to improve the efficiency of NS administration and will continue to do more. A significant number of NSmen also volunteer for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, such as the recent Operation Flying Eagle, and the missions in Iraq and Timor-Leste. This is an indication of the strong commitment level of our NSmen.

Sir, I will now speak on RECORD IV. Our operationally ready NSmen play a key role in Total Defence. Their commitment and sacrifice have ensured our continued peace and stability, and we should recognise their efforts and dedication accordingly. To this end, MINDEF will be convening the 4th Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence, or the acronym RECORD IV, later in the year.

The past three RECORD Committees have made significant contributions in the recognition of our NSmen. For example, RECORD III, which was convened in 2000, brought about the relaxation of exit control of NSmen. It also brought about the recognition of NS for admission to Institutes of Higher Learning. The 4th RECORD Committee will build on the work done by the first three Committees, and will recommend further ways to recognise and enhance the contributions of our NSmen. It will start its work once the members have been selected, and should finalise its report and present its recommendations by early next year. Minister Teo Chee Hean has tasked me to chair RECORD IV. I look forward to working with members of the Committee to identify ways to further recognise and strengthen the commitment of our NSmen to Total Defence. I would encourage

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feedback, inputs and suggestions from Members of this House, employers, NSmen at large, and the public. Such suggestions can also be channelled to our website at www.miw.com.sg.

Sir, I would like to thank all the Members for their very thoughtful and valuable suggestions and feedback. MINDEF will bear their views in mind as we review our policies, as we do every now and then, and as we evolve the 3G SAF.

Mr Leong Horn Kee (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State two questions. First, is on disruption of National Service. I am pleased to hear that his Ministry is now working on the disruption guidelines based on equity by school cohort for entry into the local universities. But how about disruption for entry into overseas universities? Because students go to different countries for studies, eg, Australia, the UK and US, there would be different timing for disruptions. So, could the Minister of State also consider the possibility of late disruption for such NS-liable students who are going overseas, especially for those who are holding non-key appointments?

My second question is this. I think the Minister of State did not answer my question that I asked about the coordination between Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education

on the NSF being shortened to two years and the entry into local universities, because now there is a gap between November when 'A' level ends, and July when the local universities start. If we shorten the gap to, maybe, the university term starting in April or March, you would save about three or four months of time for the students.

12.30 pm

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng: Sir, neither MINDEF nor MOE has any control on the

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admission dates of foreign universities. The Member should remember that NS is instituted for the purpose of the defence of Singapore. Therefore, the primary mission of operational readiness of the SAF must come first. Having said that, where it does not affect the operational readiness of the SAF and where it would be equitable because MINDEF enlists them later than their peers in the same school cohort, we would consider them for disruption. As I said, we are looking into the disruption policies which will be guided by the principles that I have just enunciated, and we would announce them in due course.

On the second question of admission into local universities, as I understand it, the Ministry of Education is currently studying it to see if any adjustments can be made in the matriculation periods for local universities.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: I would like to ask the Minister two questions. First, about the kind of cultural sensitivities that our SAF troops undergo. As we have seen in our relief mission in Indonesia, the cultural sensitivity and the facility in the language help greatly in the mission. I would like to ask the Minister if such sensitivity is also inculcated into its training and courses with other countries in ASEAN, such as Malaysia. My second question is to do with the training space. It has expanded greatly since independence. I would like to ask the Minister whether the current list of countries giving us training spaces is adequate, especially given our emphasis now on training our troops to transform into a 3G SAF, as well as for non-conventional warfare, such as terrorism.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng: Sir, the Member is correct. She pointed out that the cultural sensitivity displayed by SAF officers, men and women in Operation Flying Eagle during the tsunami disaster was important. Indeed, it is appreciated

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by our host and it helped us to be effective on the ground. SAF officers participate in exchange programmes with various countries, Indonesia included, and these exchange programmes allow us an opportunity to immerse in their culture as well as to understand their military practices and the personalities involved. Fortunately, for us in the tsunami disaster case, many of our commanders there knew the Indonesian commanders on a friend-to-friend basis because they have participated in similar courses together.

Additionally, SAF officers also take language classes and I think this is particularly helpful in trying to understand the culture and sensitivities of our various military partners in our region and around the world.

Sir, on the point of training space, Singapore, being small, would always be constrained by training space. But we try to overcome that by participating in exercises abroad and SAF does so in many, many countries around the world - South Africa, France, United States, Thailand, Brunei, and so forth. So we will continue to strike such partnerships where there are mutual benefits. And as the Minister for Defence has announced, we will be looking to expand our partnership with India. That should help us alleviate the constraints of small space and help us diversify our training areas.

Retirement Age

Mr Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah): ( In Mandarin ): Sir, currently, the retirement age for our army regulars is 45. Our soldiers have gone through intensive physical training. At 45, they are still strong and fit and could continue to serve the SAF. It is such a great pity to let them retire at this age. In the United States, Germany, Japan and Thailand, the retirement age of their army personnel is 60, and in UK and Canada, it is 55.

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Therefore, I suggest that the Defence Minister consider extending the retirement age of our army regulars to 55 or even 60.

Upon retirement at the age of 45, many ex-regulars find it difficult to find suitable jobs under the current competitive employment condition and some use their pensions to set up businesses, such as interior decoration services, sale of CDs, luohan fish or even bubble tea. Although some operated successfully, many of them lost all their pension money.

Moreover, due to our declining birth rate, the number of male citizens eligible for National Service is falling. Hence, I hope that the Defence Minister would consider allowing army regulars to serve until the age of 55 or even 60 before retiring. The Ministry can retrain those above 45 and then employ them in other positions in the Ministry.

Total Defence

Dr Teo Ho Pin (Holland-Bukit Panjang): Sir, although the concept of Total Defence was first introduced in 1984, not many Singaporeans, especially the heartlanders, fully understand their roles and responsibilities in Total Defence. A recent article in the Sunday Times on 27th February 2005 has highlighted that many Singaporeans are not well equipped for emergency or disaster, such as the preparation of emergency bag.

Sir, various reasons were highlighted for the lack of emergency preparation among Singaporeans. These include: Singapore is safe, it is fated, no time to think, too old to worry and nowhere to run. This is indeed very worrying and disturbing. If this state of mind is reflective of all Singaporeans, we will

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need to urgently step up our national education efforts on Total Defence.

Sir, Total Defence is about the different things that we can do every day in every sector of our society to strengthen our resilience as a nation. Total Defence comprises five key aspects, namely, military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence. These five pillars of Total Defence require the full participation of our citizens, households and business community in order to achieve an effective and all-rounded defence for Singapore.

But there are certain constraints and challenges which we must overcome in order to develop our Total Defence capabilities. First, the five key aspects of Total Defence presently come under the purview of many Ministries. As such, there is no single champion to drive the efforts and monitor the progress of our Total Defence capabilities.

Sir, to-date, many Singaporeans do not know what to do under the five defences. Many also do not know whether they are well prepared for Total Defence against various threats. Some do not even know that they are vulnerable to certain threats. Sir, although Total Defence day is on 15th February of every year, not many Singaporeans commemorate this day by displaying their readiness in Total Defence. I understand that 15th February was chosen so as to commemorate the fall of Singapore to the Japanese Occupation in 1942.

Sir, there are certain setbacks to this date. First, Total Defence day, which is on 15th February, is not a public holiday. As such, many Singaporeans, especially those who are working, may not be able to have time to organise Total Defence activities except for schools. Second, 15th February is one day after Valentine's Day. Many young and old couples still have hangover after their Valentine

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celebrations. It is also near the Chinese New Year festive season. Third, 15th February is not an easy date to remember. Sir, I would like to suggest that we change the date of Total Defence day and make it a public holiday where all Singaporeans can come together to organise Total Defence activities as a nation. I would suggest a day which is not during school holidays, not near or within examination periods, and not near another public holiday. Maybe, 1st July can be a good day to rally our nation to showcase our Total Defence capabilities before we celebrate National Day on 9th August.

Sir, for Total Defence to work effectively, we need to appoint a champion agency and develop a more effective community outreach strategy. We need to regularly conduct SWOT, which is Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, analysis on our Total Defence strategy. This will better prepare Singaporeans to respond more effectively to potential threats or disasters. The results of the SWOT analysis must be conveyed to our people regularly so as to ensure that they update and upgrade themselves to better cope with these emergencies or crises.

Sir, Total Defence provides a good platform to build community ownership among Singaporeans. I would like to urge the Government to devolve more Total Defence functions to the community. Sir, I would also like to urge the Ministry to focus more on reaching out to the community to further strengthen our Total Defence capabilities. I would like to ask the Ministry the following questions: (1) What is the status of achievements and operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence? (2) In what ways has Total Defence multiplied our defence capabilities? (3) What are the plans to reach out to the community to build our Total Defence capabilities?

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The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee): Sir, I would like to thank all Members of Parliament who have spoken on the retirement age and Total Defence. Sir, first, I would like to answer Mr Ang Mong Seng. The SAF needs timely renewal of the SAF leadership and constant infusion of new ideas at all levels of the SAF is critical if the SAF is to remain dynamic, energetic and forward looking. At the same time, we need to strike a balance between experience and dynamism. So in order to be fair to the individual officers, our career scheme must be such that the officers on completion of military career are young enough to acquire skills and knowledge to make a career switch. They must also have enough working years left for a meaningful second career. Therefore, our scheme is structured such that our regular officers transit to the second career around the age of 45 years.

An SAF career is a meaningful and rewarding one, and few jobs can match a job in the SAF. Sir, many go on to establish successful careers for themselves outside the SAF by leveraging on the skills they have learned in the SAF. The knowledge and experience they learned in the service are sought after by many employers. Sir, ex-SAF officers have transited to various industries, such as manufacturing, logistics, financial services, human resources, real estate, education and training, consultancy and safety, property management and security management, and others. MINDEF and the SAF also re-engage some of them as civilians in jobs that make best use of their experience and expertise.

Sir, transition to second career is not unique to the SAF. Through better medical care, the life expectancy of Singaporeans have risen over the years. Coupled with globalisation and rapid technology changes, careers have become shorter all over the world. So transiting

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to a second or third career will increasingly become a way of life for all of us. Notwithstanding, Sir, MINDEF recognises that transition has its challenges and has put in place programmes to assist officers in their transition. Under the SAVER Scheme, officers receive a lump sum payment on completion of their service. We also run programmes to facilitate the officers in their career transition.

For example, we help officers with private sector employment and offer officers time and opportunity to work in new jobs with allowance during the transition, to make up for the interim loss of income. MINDEF and the SAF also offer courses and programmes to help bridge the gap between their existing skill sets and the new skill sets required by their prospective employers.

12.45 pm

Sir, another group of regular servicemen is our WOSE corps. Mr Ang Mong Seng might know them as the NCOs in his days when he was doing National Service. WOSEs are Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees. They typically retire from service at the age of 55, not 45. They, too, have concerns about transition to a second career. We also put in place a scheme for them. The equivalent of the SAVER for WOSE is the Premium Scheme. Under the Premium Scheme, they receive a lump-sum payment upon completion of service. We also offer similar career transition programmes for the WOSEs. At the end of it all, transition is a personal matter that our officers and WOSEs have to do on their own. It comes down to attitude, expectations and adjustments. Some have been more successful than others. MINDEF does its best to help transit to a second career.

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Sir, I have asked for the latest issue of Pioneer magazine to be distributed. This is a special issue, because it profiles our men and women in Operation Flying Eagle. But it is also important because of the special Total Defence issue. Hence, I have asked for it to be circulated. My interest here is really centrefold, which is the ABCs of Total Defence. You might like to read them in your own spare time, but before I answer the specific questions raised by Dr Teo, I would like to give an overview of Total Defence so that I can answer his question in totality.

Sir, Total Defence is a concept which Singapore adopted way back in 1984. In essence, what Total Defence means is that, if Singapore is to be a secure and safe country, we have to deal with all unexpected contingencies and setbacks. In order to achieve that, we must be strong in five departments. We must be strong in Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence, and all these were enumerated quite clearly by Dr Teo himself. Together, Sir, they represent the five pillars of Total Defence. The official logo is shaped in the form of a hand, and each finger represents an aspect of Total Defence. Outstretched, it represents our home. But when the five fingers work in concert, they become a formidable fist.

Sir, the key to the effectiveness of our Total Defence is the active participation and involvement of all Singaporeans, and, I repeat, all Singaporeans. Dr Teo does not know the championing agency. In fact, MINDEF is the championing agency of Total Defence. However, MINDEF works in concert with all the other Ministries and agencies in Singapore. Indeed, MINDEF works with every Singaporean to play our part in Total Defence.

Sir, if I may refer MPs to the A-Z of the centrefold and ask them to just look at X and Y, it reads: "Total Defence is

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not about doing anything extra. It is really the little things you can do every day. For example, take NS seriously, take part in civil defence, take part in civil emergency exercises, pick up new economic skills, forge close ties with Singaporeans of other races and religions, or just feel proud to be Singaporeans. This is how you can contribute to Total Defence."

Sir, let me give hon. MPs some examples. Dr Teo suggested that many Singaporeans do not know what to do in Total Defence. Indeed, based on their actions, many Singaporeans do know what they do without knowing that they are doing a part in Total Defence. For example, the discovery of the Jemaah Islamiyah network was a shock to Singaporeans. The outbreak of SARS was totally unexpected. These threats posed far-ranging consequences. However, these threats were swiftly contained and neutralised by the professional agencies and by all Singaporeans. What happened was really Total Defence. Singaporeans reacted calmly, positively and actively, and that they did very well.

Sir, because we have Total Defence, we had a coherent and integrated approach to the problems posed by JI and SARS. We overcame these threats from different angles, using our different strengths. From the agencies, there were the direct responses. We took security measures against the JI terrorists. From the health angle, we took health measures against SARS. But the most critical element that determined our successes in the fight against these two threats were the unity and resilience of Singaporeans. That was Total Defence at work without Singaporeans knowing that they were playing their part. Without knowing it, all five pillars of our Total Defence were at work. Singaporeans of all races and religions rallied together against the JI terrorists, which cloaked itself as a

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religious movement. We also stood together as a nation to fight an invisible enemy, which was SARS. At the end of it all, we emerged more united and resilient.

Sir, let me now elaborate on the five key components of Total Defence. Military Defence is the purview of MINDEF and SAF, and this includes the many National Servicemen who make up the backbone of the SAF. The Total Defence spirit also comes from the support that families, friends and employers and the community give to our NSmen as they perform their duties to defend Singapore against adversaries both internal and external.

Military Defence, Sir, is complemented by Civil Defence. The lead agencies here are the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Together, they ensure the security of our homeland. Post-September 11, security threats have taken on new dimensions. MINDEF and the SAF now work hand in glove with the Home Team, the SCDF and many non-security agencies, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Customs, Infocomm Development Authority and others, to fight internal and external threats.

But, Sir, it is not just Government agencies which have to be alert and vigilant. Our people must be equally alert and vigilant. This is where Civil Defence comes to the fore. The Ministry of Home Affairs has a security outreach programme in which they work with businesses and the community to raise the level of public vigilance. For example, people who work in our shopping centres, MRT stations, including some taxi drivers, have been co-opted to work as our eyes and ears of the Home Team. In addition, the SCDF runs programmes and exercises to prepare our people to deal with any

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emergency. They include the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme which has practical training and survival skills and almost weekly emergency community spirit and emergency preparedness exercises. Many Singaporeans take part in these programmes seriously because they know that when a crisis develops, they have to be ready. And there is no second chance for them and their families.

In addition to Military Defence and Civil Defence, we have the third pillar, ie, Economic Defence. When we had SARS, the Government worked with businesses and industry to help them withstand the economic shock. This included aggressive temperature-taking at all public premises. Singapore Tourist Promotion Board and the tourism industry mounted intensive campaigns to lure tourists back to Singapore. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Security Coordinating Secretariat have been working with businesses to ensure that in the face of a security threat, their power supply will not be threatened. All these are just examples of Economic Defence at work. Beyond these, Economic Defence also means that Singaporeans must be economically employable. It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure that our skills are market relevant. Hence, all of us have to learn, unlearn and relearn our skills on a lifelong basis. At the same time, it is the job of the Government to restructure the economy so that we are prepared to face the new globalised world.

The fourth pillar of Total Defence, Sir, is Social Defence. Social Defence is a critical component of our multi-racial and multi-religious country. The racial and religious harmony in Singapore is very precious. It has taken us years to reach this stage of racial harmony and cohesion. Every Singaporean has a role to play in

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Social Defence. We were put to the test when the JI network was uncovered. Not only did we pass the test, we emerged from the episode stronger and achieved a deeper understanding of each other's religion and faith.

The final pillar of Total Defence is Psychological Defence. Sir, Psychological Defence is really the social glue that binds all the other four pillars together. It is the bedrock of our Total Defence. All the other four pillars do not count for much if we do not have the resilience and commitment to see them through in words and deeds. For example, when we talk of Military Defence, if our NSmen do not take NS seriously, it is mere words. Similarly, if their parents, employers, families or the community do not support them while they are performing their NS duties, then these are just words. So, Psychological Defence provides the glue that binds all the four pillars together.

Sir, our tagline for Total Defence is "There is a part for every one", and Singaporeans appear to have hoisted that in. Our surveys consistently show there is a very high public awareness and commitment to Total Defence, eg, we do National Service and our attitude towards National Service. Today, even after 30 years of National Service, support for NS has not wavered. Every family is proud to send their sons for National Service. At the grassroots level, there are a number of programmes to help residents acquire the skills and knowledge of Total Defence. We have long had a Civil Defence Executive Committee in every constituency. There is now another key programme, and this is the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP). In this programme, members of the local community, such as GRO leaders, volunteers, residents and students, work together with the People's Association and the Home Team to solve issues affecting the neighbourhood. The CSSP also serves to foster community cohesion

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and bonding, as it brings people from diverse backgrounds together and solve problems from a community perspective.

The People's Association also develops numerous community activities to strengthen cohesion. For example, there is now the IRCC. There are also special programmes to reach out to the young and the very young. An example is the Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors' Programme, which aims to develop dynamic youth leaders who contribute actively in the development of its cohesive and harmonious community. Under these programmes, students participate in team-building activities and visit places of worship. Thereafter, they organise projects for the school and CDC. Total Defence touches each and every aspect of our lives. Hon. Members might wish to log on to the website Totaldefence.com.sg for a more comprehensive list of the things we have done and can do.

Sir, I would like now to answer Dr Teo's specific question on why we chose 15th February as Total Defence Day. As he mentioned it in his speech, 15th February 1942 was the date which marked the fall of Singapore and, for three years and seven months, Singapore was plunged into darkness - a period of humiliation and indignity. That ended when the Japanese formally surrendered to Lord Mountbatten on 12th September 1945. The Total Defence Day is not a day in a way to celebrate. It is a day for us to remember and be sombre about, that a day like this should never be repeated in Singapore. So, we cannot change the date.

But Total Defence does not mean that we just do things related to Total Defence on 15th February. We do it on a daily basis, as I have elaborated in my speech. Singaporeans today are aware of Total Defence and they are participating in an active way. We need to do more. We

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hope to enlist the help of Mayors like Dr Teo Ho Pin to reach out to the people who have not been touched by Total Defence just yet. In fact, Total Defence reaches out to not just adults but to the very young. For example, on this website called NeoPets - those with young children will know that the NeoPets website is one of the most popular - we reach out to the very young. We also reach out to the young. For the young, the most popular thing is the ring tone. So, we now have Olinda Cho, one of the finalists of the Singapore Idol programme, to record the latest upbeat version of the Total Defence jingo. For adults, of course, we have more serious stuff.

So, if all the agencies work together, and together with the CDCs, I think we will bring the Total Defence awareness to a new level.

Dr Teo Ho Pin: Sir, just to seek a clarification. I can understand that it is quite difficult to measure Total Defence in totality. But I think we still need to come up with some indicators to measure our efforts as a nation, so that we know how we are progressing. So, it would be good if the Senior Parliamentary Secretary can provide us with the statistics or figures as to how far we have achieved in terms of Total Defence, ie, for the five pillars. You can measure the individual pillars, but to measure our progress in Total Defence, the five pillars in totality, it is going to be quite difficult.

Maybe, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary can highlight MINDEF's KPIs for Total Defence for this year?

1.00 pm

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Sir, I thank the Member for his suggestions. For KPIs, we validate whether the outreach programme for Total Defence has reached Singaporeans. We also test the attitude to National Service and their readiness to

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defend Singapore. Based on previous surveys, we have found these results to be very encouraging. Can we do more? Yes, we certainly can do more.

Dr Teo mentioned in his speech that Singaporeans are not prepared because they do not have an emergency pack, for example. I know that the emergency pack was promoted by Mr Wong Kan Seng a few weeks ago. In fact, every family member has a radio and a torch. It is just that they did not put them together. So this is a reminder for families to put aside a torch with a fresh battery and a radio with a fresh battery. These are little reminders that we can do. What else can we do? On the ground, we need Members of Parliament to work together with us on this. We have the ideas, and we need to reach out to them. The Members of Parliament and the Mayors have their own ideas. We can work together. Within MINDEF, there is an organisation called NEXUS. It coordinates with all the other Ministries. It is not a very high-profile organisation. Perhaps, that is the reason why Dr Teo does not know that MINDEF is the championing agency. We need to do more. I welcome Dr Teo's help in bringing Total Defence down to the grassroots level even deeper.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, I have a question for the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. Instead of marking Total Defence day as the day that Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15th February, why not we consider marking it as the day the Japanese surrendered and Singapore regained its sovereignty on 12th September as the day that we began Total Defence? I think it is more meaningful in that sense because we mark that day of independence as the day of sovereignty.

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Sir, Singapore did not gain sovereignty on

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12th September 1945 because the Japanese surrendered to Lord Mountbatten. Singapore gained sovereignty on National Day, 9th August 1965. We already have National Day to celebrate that day. It is like Independence Day, 4th July. 1st October is China's National Day. That is the day when the Chinese gained sovereignty. The Americans became a whole, so to speak, on 4th July. In Singapore, we have a National Day to celebrate our independence day. So 15th February is actually a solemn day for us to remember the fall of Singapore.

The Chairman: Mr Ravindran, are you withdrawing your amendment?

Mr R Ravindran (Marine Parade): Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for Defence, the Minister of State for Defence and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for their overview of MINDEF's policies and their succinct answers to Members' questions. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .

The sum of $8,896,000,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $363,000,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.