Minister of Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen spoke at the Total Defence Awards Ceremony at Temasek Club on 23 March where he was the Guest of Honour, as per a press release by MINDEF.

Here is what he said

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen was the Guest of Honour at the annual Total Defence Awards ceremony held at Temasek Club this evening. The Total Defence Awards Ceremony 2021 (TDA21) had been postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, 148 National Service (NS) Advocate Awards were presented to 83 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 15 Large Companies, 37 Organisations and 13 Individuals. The NS Advocate Award is the highest accolade conferred on businesses, organisations and individuals in recognition of their exemplary support towards Total Defence and NS.

Dr Ng said that despite the fear and uncertainty that the pandemic has brought about, it also brought out the best in people who either actively supported Singapore in the community’s fight against COVID-19, or in their continued support of NSmen despite the challenges faced in their businesses. He said, “In Singapore, all six pillars of Total Defence went into action, and that compact, that social compact held. Individuals, community groups and businesses stepped forward to reach out to groups which needed assistance, including migrant workers, underprivileged schoolchildren, and elderly who live alone. Total Defence in Singapore against COVID-19 saved lives and kept Singapore united and strong.”

Dr Ng also emphasised that each person has an important role to play for Singapore’s national defence. “It drives home the hard truth of the security threats to a country’s well-being and sovereignty… The freedom and way of life that Singaporeans enjoy are never a given, and must be protected at all times. Singapore is vulnerable because we are small, and that will never change. Whether it was residents in Singapore 80 years ago or those in Ukraine now, physical invasion of your country puts an end to all that you have built over the years and to future dreams. It doesn’t matter how high the skyscrapers, how deep the bonds we have formed between people – all that is lost if we cannot protect the country. And for us, Singapore’s right to exist as an independent country. Mr Lee Kuan Yew had mentioned at a dinner I had attended: “Without a strong SAF, there is no economic future, there is no security”. I have used this quote a few times before in this year. In the face of the Ukrainian invasion, I think (the quote) seems apt: ‘Without security, there can be no progress, no economic future’,” said Dr Ng.

Also present at the dinner were Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, and Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

NSmen, past and present, will get a host of benefits as the SAF and Home Team commemorates 55 years of NBS this year, according to a press release by MINDEF.

Here is what MINDEF said

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team (HT) are commemorating 55 years of National Service (NS) this year. Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad announced the start of a year-long celebration for NS55 on the sidelines of his visit to a mobilisation exercise today. This is in recognition of the contributions of the more than one million past and present national servicemen from the SAF and the HT.

Mr Zaqy was at Maju Camp to visit a mobilisation exercise involving around 2,000 Operationally Ready National Servicemen from the Singapore Army. Speaking to the media at the visit, Mr Zaqy emphasised the criticality of NS in safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty. He said, “We have stood up NS for 55 years, where more than a million Singaporeans have served, and we want to recognise them for their contributions. There is a critical need to defend Singapore to make sure we are prepared against any potential aggressors. At the same time, we need to build up the confidence of the nation so that we can defend ourselves and defend our sovereignty. This year, with the NS55 campaign, we want to recognise and really thank our NSmen. We are also thankful for the support of their families, employers and the community because the sacrifices made are not just theirs alone.”

Mr Zaqy also announced that past and present national servicemen will receive an NS55 Recognition Package as a token of appreciation for their contributions to Singapore’s defence and security. The NS55 Recognition Package comprises $100 worth of credits to be digitally disbursed via the LifeSG mobile application, and a complimentary one-year SAFRA or HomeTeamNS membership. Eligible national servicemen will receive a notification letter from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) or the Ministry of Home Affairs from mid-June 2022 onwards, with further details on the redemption of the NS55 Recognition Package.

The theme of NS55, “Generations of Strength”, reflects the collective resolve and dedication of our national servicemen across generations who have contributed to the defence and security of Singapore, and inspires Singaporeans to continue building a stronger Singapore.

Today marks the start of the NS55 commemorative activities to pay tribute to our national servicemen who have contributed to the defence and security of Singapore. Key NS55 engagement events include an NS55 Showcase, held in conjunction with the Army Open House in May 2022 and at various heartland locations in June 2022, an NS55 interactive trail comprising several discovery points that hold significance to NS, and a combined Basic Military Training Graduation Parade and MINDEF Reserve Parade in December. In addition, the theme of NS55 will be incorporated into various events throughout the year, including SAF Day and National Day celebrations. Members of public may visit the NS55 website for more information at go.gov.sg/NS55.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) has appointed 3 new branch chairs to their party branch in Sengkang GRC, according to a statement by the PAP.

Here is their statement

The People’s Action Party has appointed three new Branch Chairs in Sengkang GRC. 

Assoc Prof Elmie Nekmat, Theodora Lai Xi Yi and Ling Weihong will be the Branch Chairs of Sengkang Central, Sengkang North and Sengkang East respectively. Dr Lam Pin Min, Branch Chair of Sengkang West, will lead the PAP Sengkang GRC team.

Comrade Ng Chee Meng will be the Advisor to the PAP Sengkang GRC team. Comrades Amrin Amin and Raymond Lye Hoong Yip will assist in seeing through the transition for the PAP Sengkang team to continue serving our Sengkang residents. The Party would like to thank the outgoing Branch Chairs for their service and contributions to Sengkang GRC, and we look forward to their future contributions in other capacities.

Issued by: Chan Chun Sing, Chairman, PAP HQ Exco

Assoc Prof Elmie Nekmat 埃尔米

• Party activist since 2016, including with the Young PAP and Malay Affairs Bureau.
• Advocate for online safety and wellness as well as for digital inclusion. He started a parent and child digital safety and wellness network series in Sengkang in 2021 which promotes quality family time and wellbeing when using digital devices at home and for learning purposes. He is a Research Coordinator in the Sunlight Alliance for Action Against Online Harms which aims to protect women and girls from different types of online harms and harassment. A member of the Digital for Life Steering Committee under IMDA and chair of the NLB’s Digital Services and Experiences Committee, he pushes for digital experiences to be made accessible for everyone.  
• As Board member of Singapore Sports Council, he champions for active lifestyles for people of all ages 
• Council Member of Ngee Ann Polytechnic and District Councilor for Central Community Development Council 
• Advocate for the Malay language and community. He is a member of the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee for MOE, Malay Language Examination Syllabus Review Committee for Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) and Adviser for the Steering Committee of Community Leaders Forum Leadership and Benefactor Scheme for Yayasan Mendaki, and member of the workgroup committee for M3 FA3 programs for youths 
• Associate Professor of Communications and New Media and Assistant Dean of Research in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore 

Theodora Lai Xi Yi 黎曦怡

• Party activist since 2009, including as Chairperson of the PAP Policy Forum from 2019 to 2020 
• Founding member of the Young Women’s Leadership Connection which pairs young women with more seasoned mentors to help guide their careers and personal growth 
• Founder of Prep Junior, a free-to-download app which helps to teach Chinese to preschoolers through interactive stories around Singapore 
• Advisor with Safespace, a mobile platform that connects people who are going through mental health issues, with mental healthcare professionals 
• Coordinator of the Singapore Valley Awards, linking up with local universities to provide internship opportunities for undergrads with top Chinese tech companies and venture capitalists (VCs) to help expose them to the pace and culture of tech innovation  
• Active community volunteer including as a District Councillor in Northeast CDC 
• Chief Strategy Officer, Burpple 

Ling Weihong 凌炜鸿

• Party activist since 2015, including as Branch Secretary of Sengkang Central Branch since April 2021 and Assistant Branch Secretary of Woodlands Branch from 2016 to 2018 
• An individual committed to serving the community and helping those in need, he helped to launch the Woodlands Mentoring programme which paired children from low-income families with youth mentors in the community 
• An Assessor for Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act from April to October 2020 and a volunteer with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme between 2007 and 2016. As a legal practitioner, he has also helped in legal clinics in the community.  
• Exco member of Catholic High School Alumni from 2016 to 2020 
• A lawyer in private practice