MINDEF VOLUNTEERS THANKED FOR THEIR EFFORTS

Mr Bill Chua may seem like just another successful banker, but what set him apart from the rest were his unique contributions to Singapore's defence. For about 25 years, the Managing Director and Head of Global Financial Institutions Group in United Overseas Bank assisted in areas of corporate and financial governance for the Ministry for Defence (MINDEF).

Currently serving on the Defence Science & Technology Agency Board of Directors, the former Audit Chairman on the DSO National Laboratories board was known for initiating the DSO project risk reserve fund in 2008 which helped prevent project cost overruns.

At the Marina Mandarin Hotel on 16 Aug, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted a dinner to thank Mr Chua and more than 130 other volunteers for their invaluable contributions to 34 MINDEF boards and committees. Dr Ng also presented 51 volunteers with certificates of appointment and re-appointment for their service.

Speaking at the dinner, Dr Ng highlighted the key roles that volunteers play in assisting MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) by "providing an extra layer of oversight that helps ensure that our systems and processes remain robust, credible and open".

He added: "As volunteers, you also play a crucial role. You build up resolve for the next generation to want to defend Singapore... You are in touch with ground-level issues and are well placed to provide useful feedback and fresh perspectives to engage the public and address their specific issues and concerns."

Dr Ng also acknowledged the efforts of the volunteers: "Allow me to extend my deepest appreciation to our volunteers for your contributions and sacrifices made. By volunteering to serve, you have 'walked the talk' and helped develop the SAF into a modern, respected and professional military."

The volunteers, who are experts in their fields from the private and public sectors, help MINDEF stay updated on the latest in corporate best practices and enhance its organisational processes.

Professor Kua Ee Heok, a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist in the National University Hospital, has been involved in training SAF psychiatrists who will help servicemen better manage their stress to prevent mental health problems.

He said: "It is satisfying to see that we have yielded some results... The number of incidents of mental health problems and psychiatric referrals have reduced, which is a really wonderful achievement.

"Stress management is an important skill set to have as these servicemen will carry these skills into their civilian life which will help them in the future even after they leave the service."

For Mr Gerald Singham, a partner in Rodyk & Davidson LLP who volunteers in the Military Court of Appeal, it was an honour and privilege to be able to contribute to MINDEF and the SAF.

He even encouraged his sons to take a positive attitude to National Service (NS). "I usually share my NS experiences with my children... Whenever I leave for my In-Camp Training, I never complain and they (my children) see it as a sense of duty. This influences them to develop a positive mindset towards NS," he said.