PASSING ON THE TORCH OF NS WITH PRIDE

There's going to be a new square in the heart of the city.

The Marina Bay Floating Platform (MBFP) and seating gallery will be redeveloped into a permanent structure and renamed as the National Service (NS) Square, announced Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 30 Oct. He was speaking at the 50 Years of National Service (NS50) Dinner Reception held at the MBFP.

A symbol of Singapore's commitment and national servicemen's contributions to NS, the new square will be the key venue for future National Day Parades and boast expanded seating capacity to allow more Singaporeans to experience the parade. An NS Gallery will also be built there to showcase the evolution of NS through various exhibits and organised events.

Paying tribute to generations of national servicemen, Mr Lee said: "Without the NSFs (Full-Time National Servicemen) and NSmen (Operationally Ready National Servicemen) who serve willingly, take their training seriously, and perform operational duties day after day, the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force could not exist Singapore has enjoyed peace and security. People, too, feel safe and confident."

He also urged future generations of NSmen to take up their roles with pride. "Ultimately NS is about making the sacrifices needed to protect our country and families. This is the common spirit of NS that endures throughout the generations (and) this is the legacy that we pass 'from my generation to yours'."

In recognition of their dedication to NS, Mr Lee presented NSmen of the Year Awards to 28 NSmen from the SAF and Home Team. He also put the finishing touches on an NS50 commemorative painting, which was part of a ground-up initiative by the Singapore Art Society and ST Engineering to commemorate NS50.

Among the NSmen of the Year Award recipients was Master Sergeant (MSG) (NS) Muhammad Sa'adiq Bin Abdul Majid, who was grateful for the strong family support he receives whenever he goes for In-camp Training (ICT).

For instance, his wife or mother take turns to send his three-year-old son to the childcare centre when the 32-year-old Company Sergeant Major from 1st General Support Transport Battalion is away for ICT.

He takes his NS commitments seriously, and is also a loving and responsible family man, said his wife.

Ms Nurul Nadia Binte Junaidi, 29, recalled: "When I was heavily pregnant with our son, he would always make sure to send me to my mother's house before going for ICT. He would also call me often just to ensure that I was well-taken care of."

Asked his thoughts on receiving the award, the IT technologist in a semi-conductor company said: "This award recognises all the NSmen who have served and gave their best during their ICT. NS is a duty and commitment, and I want to give my very best."

Organised by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, the NS50 Dinner Reception capped off a year-long commemoration of the contributions and sacrifices made by generations of national servicemen.

For NS50 executive committee Co-Head Secretariat Colonel (COL) Clifford Keong, the dinner was a culmination of the hard work that he and his team had put in over the past year. The 44-year-old was heartened to see how Singaporean families came forward to celebrate NS50, as well as the huge support from retailers to show their appreciation for national servicemen.

COL Keong also felt that renaming and redeveloping the MBFP to the NS Square was apt, as it was a venue NSFs would have to march past during their final Basic Military Training route march.

"The floating platform is right in the heart of the city. As the recruits march past the Marina Bay Financial Centre, it reminds them of what they are defending and I hope that this legacy of defending the nation with pride will be passed on from generation to generation."