NDP 2019 TO BE HELD AT THE PADANG
// REPORT by Chia Chong Jin
// PHOTOS by Tan Yong Quan
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen announced that next year's National Day Parade (NDP) is set to be held at the Padang, in celebration of Singapore's Bicentennial.
"The Bicentennial NDP will be held at the Padang, appropriately, as it has been a site that has been the witness to many key events in Singapore's history."
The Padang was the main venue for NDP celebrations until 1975, and since 1995, the annual parade has been held there every five years.
Dr Ng was speaking at the NDP 2018 Appreciation Function at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay on 17 Aug, where he expressed his gratitude to all the NDP participants, organisations and sponsors for their efforts in ensuring the resounding success of this year's parade.
"NDP 2018 gave expression to what Singapore is and wants to become… through the most time-tested method of good storytelling reflected through the lives of ordinary Singaporeans who performed extraordinary acts," explained Dr Ng.
"Many people have told me that they were touched and teared…because the NDP reminded us of the struggles in our past, that we can be stronger helping one another as a community; it gave purpose and hope to our future as one nation."
Highlighting that this year's NDP theme song was an expression of Singaporean youths' hopes and dreams, Dr Ng added: "(By) building on what previous generations have done… but updating it and adding their own voice to Singapore… (the younger generation) owns the Singapore of today and commits to shaping the Singapore of tomorrow."
NDP 2018 featured many firsts, such as the inaugural Naval Combat Divers' 6,000-feet parachute jump, the Red Lions' 12,500-feet wingsuit jump, as well as an RSAF50-liveried F-15SG fighter jet which performed high-speed aerial manoeuvres in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF50).
This year's parade also included new segments such as the "Placard Challenge", in which members of the audience pen down something unique about themselves on the "I am…" side of the placard.
During the event, Dr Ng presented awards to 20 Gold Award recipients as well as 76 Principal Partners to thank them for their hard work and contributions.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong also presented awards to 47 Major Partners and 200 Co-partners of NDP 2018.
LG Ong will also be presenting 316 Silver Awards to participating organisations and sponsors at a separate appreciation event held next week.
