REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO DEFENDING S'PORE

Every year on 1 Jul, Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and their employers from many companies mark Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day with combined rededication ceremonies, to reaffirm their commitment to Singapore's defence.

On this SAF Day, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the ceremony held at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), where he delivered the SAF Day message and spoke to some 190 NSmen.

Dr Ng said: "On this day, the men and women of the SAF will reaffirm our individual pledges to perform our duties to the best of our abilities and to faithfully and diligently protect Singapore with our lives."

He added: "I ask all Singaporeans in turn to support the SAF what we inherited from our founding generation - this home, our Singapore - is precious and our way of life, worth defending together."

Among the NSmen present at the rededication ceremony was Lance Corporal (LCP) (NS) Gunasekaran, a transport operator with Changi Air Base. Said the tax officer from Inland Revenue Authority Singapore: "With terror attacks happening all over the world, it is very important for NSmen to constantly hone our skills through ICT (in-camp training) so that we remain operationally ready at all times."

Also in attendance was an employer-employee pair, Mr Roland Ng and Major (MAJ) (NS) Jason Kwek Siew Chuan, from Tat Hong Holdings Ltd, which supplies cranes and heavy machinery.

Mr Ng, who is Managing Director of Tat Hong Holdings Ltd, said: "(National Service) is something individuals, businesses and the community at large should support, as a strong and credible SAF is one of the key reasons for the peace and stability we enjoy today."

Sharing on how his company assists him in fulfilling his NS duties, MAJ (NS) Kwek, who is the company's Chief Operating Officer, said: "The company discourages deferment from NS duties and goes out of its way to accommodate employees' NS commitments when planning work schedules."

Citing an example, Commanding Officer of an NS unit in 192/193 Squadron recounted the time when his company had a very important business meeting, scheduled at the beginning of the year, which later coincided with his one-day call-up at his unit. He said: "My Chief Executive Officer promptly rescheduled the meeting so that I didn't have to miss either the business meeting or my call-up."

The SAF Day Combined Rededication Ceremonies were held in four locations around Singapore, and attended by more than 680 NSmen from 303 companies.

Officiating at the other three ceremonies were Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, at Matrix @ Biopolis; Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong, at SAFRA Punggol; and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, at the Singapore Institute of Technology @ Dover.

Later, in the evening, President Tony Tan Keng Yam officiated at the SAF Day Parade at SAFTI Military Institute, where he presented the State Colours to 1st Commando Battalion which has clinched the Best Combat Unit award for the 30th time.

The other Best Unit and Best National Service Unit awards were presented by Dr Ng to 29 SAF units.

Newly-promoted Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Perry Lim led the 3000-strong service personnel, comprising NSmen, full time National Servicemen and regulars in reciting the SAF Pledge.