PLEDGING TO SERVE THE SINGAPORE PUBLIC

Just as there is strength in unity, so there is unity in strength. This was apparent when 400 officers and staff members from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) came together to renew their pledge to serve the country and uphold the public service values of integrity, service and excellence.

As part of the public service-wide events to commemorate Public Service Week (PSW) from 19 to 25 May, the MINDEF Observance Ceremony (MOC) was held on 23 May at the MINDEF Headquarters auditorium.

In his Message for PSW video, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Civil Service Teo Chee Hean expressed his appreciation for the Public Service's work and effort, and reminded public servants of their purpose. He said: "I'd like to thank all of you for your hard work. We, like your families, are all proud of you."

Guest-of-honour Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Yeng Kit extended his thanks to the staff of MINDEF, SAF and DSTA before leading the auditorium in reciting the Public Service Pledge.

Attendees also watched a video presentation of the MINDEF Culture Book, which was a compilation of messages from the staff of the three arms of MINDEF.

For staff like Ms Adeline Hong, a branch head in Defence Finance Organisation, who has been working in MINDEF for six years, the annual MOC is a timely reminder of what it means to serve the public.

She said: "(The MOC) definitely continues to be meaningful. In my earlier years, it was just exciting because it was the first time I was (witnessing the ceremony). As the years went by and I started to build up experience and work with colleagues from different parts of the civil service, I realised that this reaffirmation of a pledge to the country and to the betterment of people’s lives in Singapore brought out a lot of meaning."

First-time attendee, Mr Ashvin Jasvantlal, an engineer in DSTA's Air Systems, felt that reciting the Pledge with colleagues from across MINDEF and the SAF was a significant gesture. He said: "Seeing the Services and MINDEF coming together with my fellow DSTA colleagues makes me realise that my work is not just within DSTA alone, but with the whole defence ecosystem, and (by extension), the whole of Singapore."