COMMUNITY
"WHOLE OF NATION" SUPPORT FOR TOTAL DEFENCE
26 Jul 2007
With terrorist threats right at our doorstep and the emergence of deadly diseases such as bird flu and dengue fever, it is more crucial than ever for all Singaporeans to contribute to the five components of Total Defence - military, civil, economic, social and psychological, said Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean.
"As Singapore continues to enjoy peace and good economic growth, it is important to remind ourselves of the significant role that Total Defence plays in ensuring our continued security and success," he said.
"It provides a framework that brings together the many strands of our society to forge a strong foundation upon which Singapore's stability and progress are based."
Mr Teo was speaking at the Total Defence Awards Presentation Ceremony 2007 on 25 Jul, where employers, civil resource (CR) owners and National Servicemen (NSmen) were honoured for their staunch support for Total Defence.
To commemorate 40 years of National Service (NS), the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs co-organised the event this year, for the first time.
Employers who have supported their NS employees from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force were either awarded the Total Defence Award or the Home Team NS Award for Employers - with 39 out of the 250 companies honoured winning both awards.
Awards were also presented to outstanding civil resource owners who have made available their services, vehicles, vessels and other resources for requisition.
CDL's managing director, Mr Kwek Leng Joo, told cyberpioneer that the company started introducing NS-friendly policies from 1999, to encourage employees to take training seriously and to recognise their NS effort.
"National Defence is fundamental for economic growth, and the role played by NSmen cannot be compromised," said Mr Kwek.
"We have a firm commitment towards NS and we hope to provide a supportive and conducive environment for our NSmen."
Among other perks, NSmen working in CDL get to enjoy subsidised SAFRA membership for themselves and their families, as an incentive to keep fit. CDL also grants them full-day leave for taking their IPPT test and matches SAF's monetary award for those who perform well.
About 20 per cent of CDL's employees are NSmen, and with proper planning and manpower scheduling, Mr Kwek revealed that there had not been a single NS deferment case for the last decade.
He added that the company was constantly looking to review and expand its NS-friendly policies and hoped that more Singapore-based companies would lend their support to NS and Total Defence.
The Total Defence Awards was introduced in 1986 to recognise the contributions of employers in their support for defence. In 1990, civil resource owners were included for demonstrating their strong commitment to the defence and security of Singapore.
Since then, 1040 employers and 491 civil resource owners have been honoured with the awards.
"As Singapore continues to enjoy peace and good economic growth, it is important to remind ourselves of the significant role that Total Defence plays in ensuring our continued security and success," he said.
"It provides a framework that brings together the many strands of our society to forge a strong foundation upon which Singapore's stability and progress are based."
Mr Teo was speaking at the Total Defence Awards Presentation Ceremony 2007 on 25 Jul, where employers, civil resource (CR) owners and National Servicemen (NSmen) were honoured for their staunch support for Total Defence.
To commemorate 40 years of National Service (NS), the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs co-organised the event this year, for the first time.
Employers who have supported their NS employees from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force were either awarded the Total Defence Award or the Home Team NS Award for Employers - with 39 out of the 250 companies honoured winning both awards.
Awards were also presented to outstanding civil resource owners who have made available their services, vehicles, vessels and other resources for requisition.
CDL's managing director, Mr Kwek Leng Joo, told cyberpioneer that the company started introducing NS-friendly policies from 1999, to encourage employees to take training seriously and to recognise their NS effort.
"National Defence is fundamental for economic growth, and the role played by NSmen cannot be compromised," said Mr Kwek.
"We have a firm commitment towards NS and we hope to provide a supportive and conducive environment for our NSmen."
Among other perks, NSmen working in CDL get to enjoy subsidised SAFRA membership for themselves and their families, as an incentive to keep fit. CDL also grants them full-day leave for taking their IPPT test and matches SAF's monetary award for those who perform well.
About 20 per cent of CDL's employees are NSmen, and with proper planning and manpower scheduling, Mr Kwek revealed that there had not been a single NS deferment case for the last decade.
He added that the company was constantly looking to review and expand its NS-friendly policies and hoped that more Singapore-based companies would lend their support to NS and Total Defence.
The Total Defence Awards was introduced in 1986 to recognise the contributions of employers in their support for defence. In 1990, civil resource owners were included for demonstrating their strong commitment to the defence and security of Singapore.
Since then, 1040 employers and 491 civil resource owners have been honoured with the awards.
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