ORGANISATIONS RECOGNISED FOR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT TOTAL DEFENCE

In a show of their commitment to the defence of Singapore, more than 500 Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from 450 companies and their employers, as well as civil resource owners, gathered at the Raffles City Convention Centre for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day Rededication Ceremony on 2 Jul.

Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong, who officiated at the ceremony, delivered the SAF Day Message from Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.

"Our strong and sustained commitment to NS (National Service) and defence spending has built up the SAF into an effective and technologically advanced military force that is respected and capable of meeting Singapore's defence needs," said Mr Wong, adding that a strong and operationally-ready SAF has "safeguarded our interests and advanced our way of life".

He also paid tribute to the three generations of more than 900,000 NSmen who have contributed their precious time and service to protect Singapore's sovereignty.

Before the rededication ceremony, Mr Wong presented the Distinguished Defence Partner Award and Meritorious Defence Partner Award to employers and civil resource owners to acknowledge their support for Total Defence.

A total of 115 companies were awarded the Distinguished Defence Partner Award while 380 companies were awarded the Meritorious Defence Partner Award.

In his speech at the award ceremony, Mr Wong said: "...our NSmen have been steadfast and true in answering the call of duty despite the many claims of their families and their workplaces...we are all deeply grateful for their contributions and sacrifices." He added: "We need support and commitment from all employers, people like yourselves, so that our NSmen can have peace of mind when they carry out their NS duties."

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) was one of the organisations that were awarded the Meritorious Defence Partner Award. Out of 14,000 employees in RWS, more than 2,500 are NSmen. RWS Vice President of Estate Management Chua Peng Tian spoke about several policies which the company practises to support employees in fulfilling their NS obligations.

For instance, there is a human resource system in place which allows supervisors to know when employees have to return for their In-Camp Training (ICT), so that the former can make arrangements in advance.

When an employee needs to return for ICT, the system also allows for a less cumbersome process where RWS would pay him in full and then make a claim from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). This avoids the hassle of employees needing to fill a form and applying for wages from MINDEF.

RWS Director of Security Services, Benjamin Yong, an NS commander of the Police Coast Guard, feels that helping NSmen to fulfil their obligations can benefit the company. "RWS, as a tourist destination, is vulnerable to security threats... NS has inculcated a sense of vigilance and resilience among our employees, thus allowing them to respond quickly to emergency situations."

Another company, CA Safety Technology, was awarded the Minister of Defence award, which is the highest accolade conferred on organisations that have shown exemplary support for Total Defence. The award will be presented during the NS45 (45 years of NS) Commemoration Dinner to be held in October this year.

CA Safety Technology Operations Director Patrick Siow said: "We have stress management workshops and talks as well as fitness boot camps conducted by qualified instructors to help prepare our employees mentally and physically for their ICT."

The company also grants cash incentives to employees who have passed their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). In addition, employees who attend three fitness sessions in preparation for their IPPT would be given half a day of off-in-lieu, thus encouraging them to keep fit and ace their IPPT.