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Tag: MINDEF

  • Ng Eng Hen: NDP 2017 Returns To Marina Bay Floating Platform

    Ng Eng Hen: NDP 2017 Returns To Marina Bay Floating Platform

    In a Facebook post on 18 August, the Minister of Defence, Ng Eng Hen wrote that the government has decided to hold the next NDP 2017 at the Floating Platform at Marina Bay.

    This year’s National Day celebration while filled with theatrical performances and dazzling light shows, was unable to showcase the all-time favorite parachute performance by the Red Lions and the national flag fly-by during the national anthem due to the covered shelter of the stadium.

    This year is also the first year the NDP was held back at the National Stadium after it was rebuilt, having the former torn down in 2010.

    He said the decision was made because it is a favourite site for some Singaporeans and that the temporary site should be used while it still exists.

    In his Facebook posting of the appreciation dinner to thank participants, partner organisations, volunteers, organising committee members and sponsors of the NDP 2016. He stated that 275,000 people enjoyed the NDP show live together with the preview and National Education shows, which is the biggest number of spectators so far..

    Dr Ng said, “For 2018, we would like to hold NDP again at the National Stadium.”, inferring that the NDP may or may not be held at the National Stadium.

    The question of holding NDP at the new National Stadium

    The cost of holding NDP at the National Stadium this year is expected to be about $39.4 million. In perspective, the total cost of holding NDP at the Padang in 2010 was $20.6 million and Marina Bay floating platform in 2015 for SG50, $40.5 million.

    On 29 February this year, Ms Sylvia Lim asked Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen in Parliament on the agreement between the Government and the Sports Hub allows MINDEF to use the Sports Hub for 45 days free of charge each year. She asked if the Government foresee that it would be holding the NDP at the Sports Hub and why were only 45 days provided for when we understand that the average number of days needed for the NDP is closer to about 80 days?

    Dr Ng did not answer straight to the question and went on to say “15% of $39.4 million is the figure which I have provided. The Member asked for details relating to the contract. The contract was negotiated as is, in the usual way that we negotiate with private providers and it is 15% of the total cost of the show, which is equivalent to the cost of public events held at private venues. Whether there is recourse for dispute resolution, I expect that it will be similar to all public contracts held in private venues as well.”

    Following that, Ms Lim asked if there is an expectation that future NDP will go back to the Sports Hub and what is expected to be paid?

    Dr Ng reluctantly replied, “That is a theoretical question and I do not have the answer.”

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • SAF – Integrating The Newcomers

    SAF – Integrating The Newcomers

    How has National Service (NS) — which has been described as a social glue — brought new citizens and permanent residents closer to Singaporeans, and shaped their lives? PIONEER speaks to three to find out.

    2LT Scott Alexander
    Permanent Resident / Country of origin: United Kingdom

    How come angmo (Hokkien for Caucasian) need to do NS? This is a question that 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Alexander often gets from taxi drivers.

    The 20-year-old London-born is a second-generation Permanent Resident (PR) who came to Singapore as a toddler. His father and mother are PRs working here.

    Despite growing up in Singapore, he did not interact much with the locals, having studied in an international school since Primary 3. Imagine the kind of culture shock he had when he enlisted for NS in 2014!

    “Obviously I was very nervous,” he recalled. “It was a big culture shock, but in a good way. I’ve met people from all over Singapore, from all different walks of life.”

    For 2LT Alexander, NS has helped to build his character. The most challenging experience for him so far was the nine-day Jungle Confidence Course where he had to survive on just two days’ worth of combat rations. “I’d never felt so hungry before,” he recalled. “But it helped to build my mental strength. I learnt that if I set my mind on something, I can do it.”

    Now a staff officer in the Training and Development Branch, Officer Cadet School, he cherishes the special bonds and friendships that he has developed in the Army.

    “I feel that NS has brought me closer to Singaporeans. It is a common ground for everyone. No matter if you are a junior college or polytechnic student, or from any background, everybody serves two years,” said 2LT Alexander, who hopes to get his citizenship in the near future.

    “If you run out of conversation topics at a dinner table, you always have NS to fall back on — the times you had to crawl in the mud and dig trenches.”

    CFC Anuraj Rajesh
    New Citizen / Country of origin: India

    When Corporal First Class (CFC) Anuraj enlisted for NS in 2014, he got to know a different world — one that was markedly different from the one he grew up in.

    The 20-year-old comes from a well-off family, and studied in the United World College of Southeast Asia, an international school. In contrast, one of his section mates had to juggle work and studies in order to support his family. Another was already a father of a baby.

    Living and training with them enabled him to understand the struggles of people of different backgrounds. “In NS, they put you right in the middle of it. You start to understand and appreciate the hardship that others go through,” said CFC Anuraj, who came to Singapore at the age of four, and became a citizen in 2013.

    On one occasion, CFC Anuraj, an assistant investigation officer in the Military Police Command, escorted a drug offender for a house search.

    Upon entering the house, the offender collapsed to his knees and apologised to his mother for what he had done. She was crestfallen to see him in handcuffs, but there was no scolding — just tears and hugs from mother and son. “I couldn’t show my emotions as I needed to remain professional, but I was tearing inside,” he recalled.

    Part of his job requires him to assure the accused that they have a future if they learn from their mistakes. “My biggest takeaway from NS is having the chance to understand the different backgrounds that people come from, and being able to make an effort to help them in any way possible,” he said.

    LTA Tee Chze Hao
    New Citizen / Country of origin: Malaysia

    During his Full-time NS, booking out from camp meant a long journey across the Causeway. Lieutenant (LTA) Tee was then a second-generation PR, but resided in Johor Bahru. His Malaysian parents are PRs who have been working in Singapore for decades.

    “The journey didn’t bother me. I see meaning in NS. This country has given so much to me, it is only natural that I serve,” said the 26-year-old, who graduated from the National University of Singapore last year.

    He came to Singapore to study when he was in Secondary 3. So when he enlisted in 2009, LTA Tee did not have any problem integrating with the locals. He was clueless about the Army though. “I was very focused on my studies and didn’t know much about what’s Basic Military Training or command school.”

    However, the Army is where he found his calling. LTA Tee excelled in the School of Infantry Specialists (now Specialist Cadet School), and received the Silver Bayonet. He also received the NSF of the Year award in 2011 when he was a platoon sergeant in 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (4 SIR).

    After getting his citizenship in 2012, he became a career soldier. He was commissioned earlier this January, and received the Sword of Honour for being the top officer cadet in the Infantry Formation.

    One of his reasons for signing on was so that he could make an impact on the lives of others. He broke into a wide smile when he shared stories about how some of his former 4 SIR soldiers — delinquents with troubled pasts — went on to become better sons, and husbands, with successful careers.

    “That’s what we, as commanders, want to see. These are examples that make us feel that we have done a good job,” said the Company 2nd-In-Command in 5 SIR.

     

    Source: www.mindef.gov.sg

  • Remembering Benjamin Lim And Dominique Sarron Lee At Hong Lim Park

    Remembering Benjamin Lim And Dominique Sarron Lee At Hong Lim Park

    A video we did for the two boys in yesterday’s memorial tribute.

    Thanks to Dolly Peh and Gilbert Louis who helped out tremendously at the event in heavy downpour.

    The three speakers Leong Sze Hian Zixu Augustin Lee and Timothy Toddall spoke beautifully for the boys.

    Special mention must be made to Jagjit Singh who set up the sound and light system in the rain. Some of his equipment is now defective due to the rain which has seeped in.

    Big thanks to the 100 brave souls who came and stayed on despite the rain. You guys rock!

    Many of you are emotional and some choked on your words as you said your personal tribute at the event.

    Let’s hope the family will find some comfort and closure with the memorial and that their death will not be in vain.

    Injustice must be opposed at all cost or else we are saying we accept it.

    RIP Benjamin and Dominique – you will be remembered.

     

    Source: Gilbert Goh

  • What Could’ve Happened If A White Horse Died Instead Of Dominique Lee?

    What Could’ve Happened If A White Horse Died Instead Of Dominique Lee?

    An NSF died while in service through the negligence of SAF officers. In any democratic country, the government would have punished those responsible, issued an apology and paid fair compensation to the victim’s family. This would have permitted closure for the victim’s family and all parties to move on.

    But under PAP’s pseudo democracy, all the government does is engage in half-truths to sweep its mistakes under the carpet. Perhaps only MINDEF is able to move on because a loophole in the law has allowed the government to save hundreds of thousands in compensation. Perhaps this is KPI related or maybe it’s about face saving.

    In SAF’s clarification, it stated that “the two officers were summarily tried in 2013 for negligent performance of lawful order or duty, found guilty, and punished according to military law”.

    Cpt Chia was one of the officers “punished” in 2013 for his negligent act in 2012. Within a year of the “punishment”, he was promoted to Major. No wonder Chia said he hoped Dominique’s family would find closure and “move on with their lives”. We can see that Chia did not only move on, he has moved up in his career, thanks to all his supportive superiors who somehow turned a blind eye to his conviction by the military court. The moral decay under the PAP should be of concern to Singaporeans: punishment = promotion when you happen to be on PAP’s side.

    Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has now weighed in on the issue by announcing that his ministry should waive the $22,000 legal costs to be paid by Dominque’s family. Ng is still avoiding the issue of apology and just compensation. Ng made many motherhood statements but since he did not address the issue, we should not expect any closure for Dominique’s family.

    Mindef is trying to save face and money but this is penny wise, pound foolish: it will take a very long time to regain Singaporeans’ trust after its reputation has been self damaged.

    I have a son serving in the SCDF and a younger one enlisting next year. How am I to tell them to give their all after having witnessed SAF covering its own ass? Aren’t there many parents having the same thought?

    Those who have gone through grief should be able to fully empathise with Dominique’s parents: any million dollar compensation wouldn’t have made a difference to their immeasurable loss. The closure which his mum has been seeking is something she deserves and is not unreasonable.

    The PAP government must do the “right thing” and not apologise only at 2359 when its loss of power seems imminent.

    If a white horse had died, wouldn’t Minister Ng have demanded accountability by having not only both officers hentak kaki for life but their superiors as well? Wouldn’t the servile press highlight SAF’s negligence day and night as well as the immense loss to the family of the dead white horse? Wouldn’t Minister Ng seek justice if his loved one had died due to others’ negligence?

    For those who are still unable to empathise with Dominique’s family, you should touch your heart and ask yourself: Would you have made the same callous comments if a white horse had died? Would you even dare to utter your hope that the family of the dead white horse will move on with their lives knowing full well the issue of negligence has yet to be resolved?

    Source: https://likedatosocanmeh.wordpress.com

  • Ng Eng Hen: SAF Commanders Must Continue To Train Professionally

    Ng Eng Hen: SAF Commanders Must Continue To Train Professionally

    I wrote this note to MINDEF and SAF staff:

    When emotions are running high, we must respect the decisions made by our Courts, who have come to an objective and impartial assessment given all the facts. The Coroner’s inquiry has ruled on the cause of the death of PTE Lee Rui Feng Dominique Sarron. The High Court judgement in awarding MINDEF costs is based on sound legal grounds and precedents. But we need not add to the pain and anguish of the family of the late PTE Lee. We should waive the costs to the family.

    We should also emphasise to our SAF commanders that they should continue to train their men professionally, with due regard for safety regulations. I know that our commanders care for their men and that no one wishes for their trainees to be injured or worse still, face death. We must learn from every accident, fix lapses and improve. This is the way we honour all those who have given their all to build a strong and honourable SAF.

     

    Source: Ng Eng Hen