By Jermyn Chow, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2012
NATIONAL servicemen will receive $60 more in monthly allowances from next month.
Recruits entering full-time national service will enjoy the biggest jump, getting $480 - up from $420.
Those who rise through the ranks, becoming, for instance, lieutenants, will pocket $1,180 a month - up from $1,120.
Besides the 40,000 full-time national servicemen (NSFs), the 300,000 operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) who are called up for annual in-camp training will also benefit.
The increases for all citizen soldiers in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will kick in on April 1.
The move to recognise the contributions of national servicemen and mark the 45th anniversary of national service was announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in Parliament yesterday.
Elaborating, Minister of State for Defence Lawrence Wong said the raise 'goes one step further in signalling our acknowledgment of our servicemen's commitment and service'.
Elaborating, Minister of State for Defence Lawrence Wong said the raise 'goes one step further in signalling our acknowledgment of our servicemen's commitment and service'.
He said the Government had recognised national servicemen's contributions in various ways, including through the National Service Recognition Award of $9,000 to all national servicemen since February last year, and building recreational clubs for them and their families.
The last time their allowance was boosted was in 2009, going up $20.
The latest increase is likely to cost the Defence Ministry an extra $28.8 million a year for NSF allowances alone.
NSF Lance-Corporal Andrew Sin, 20, who gets $590 a month now, said the extra $60 will cover his mobile phone and transport bills. 'I can also give more money to my family and the household,' he said.
NSF Lance-Corporal Andrew Sin, 20, who gets $590 a month now, said the extra $60 will cover his mobile phone and transport bills. 'I can also give more money to my family and the household,' he said.
NSman Eddie Chua, 33, an army Second Sergeant, said the hike may not be a lot for most NSmen but 'it is the thought that counts'.
Said the architecture consultant: 'It's a meaningful recognition for the time and effort we put in every year.'
And the new move may not be the last.
Dr Ng said: 'Even as we call upon each NSman to do his part to defend Singapore, Mindef regularly looks for ways to recognise their contributions.'
Dr Ng said: 'Even as we call upon each NSman to do his part to defend Singapore, Mindef regularly looks for ways to recognise their contributions.'
Spending on a strong SAF is Singapore's best defence
Defence budget is the largest but a necessary investment, says Dr Ng
By Jermyn Chow , Cai Haoxiang, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2012
By Jermyn Chow , Cai Haoxiang, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2012
THE Defence Ministry's budget is the largest of all the ministries, and yesterday its minister set out why this investment to ensure Singapore's security and sovereignty remains necessary.
In the last five years, defence expenditure grew by an average of 4 per cent a year, from $10.7 billion in 2008 to $12.3 billion this year.
Quoting the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, who built up the Singapore Armed Forces in its early years, Dr Ng Eng Hen said a strong SAF remains the 'most dependable guarantee' of Singapore's independence and this, in turn, depends on the political will to make the effort and pay the price.
That is why Singapore invests considerable amounts each year on defence, and requires each Singaporean male to commit himself to many years of national service (NS), Dr Ng said.
'Can we keep up that political will? We have many opportunity costs, divergent needs, individual aspirations. Can we keep up that political will which Dr Goh quite presciently pointed out that we needed to do? We must,' he said.
In the last five years, defence expenditure grew by an average of 4 per cent a year, from $10.7 billion in 2008 to $12.3 billion this year.
Quoting the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, who built up the Singapore Armed Forces in its early years, Dr Ng Eng Hen said a strong SAF remains the 'most dependable guarantee' of Singapore's independence and this, in turn, depends on the political will to make the effort and pay the price.
That is why Singapore invests considerable amounts each year on defence, and requires each Singaporean male to commit himself to many years of national service (NS), Dr Ng said.
'Can we keep up that political will? We have many opportunity costs, divergent needs, individual aspirations. Can we keep up that political will which Dr Goh quite presciently pointed out that we needed to do? We must,' he said.
Even as he explained that steady spending on defence allows Mindef to get the best value for its investments, Dr Ng also assured the House that Mindef spends carefully and wisely.
'We buy only what we need, scrutinise available options for the most cost-effective solution,' he said in response to Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Nee Soon GRC) and Mr Ong Teng Koon (Sembawang GRC), who asked about managing Mindef's budget.
He cited as an example the SAF's upgrading of its ageing missile corvettes to add many more years of operations.
Three out of six Victory-class corvettes have been fitted with new combat management systems and sensors, including an unmanned aerial vehicle. Both Dr Ng and MPs alike paid tribute to the men and women who serve in the SAF.
Dr Ng said that with declining birth rates and smaller NS cohorts from 2016, each NSman must shoulder more responsibilities to deal with Singapore's security challenges.
Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong gave details on how the SAF was leveraging on technology to make training more effective.
Thanks to its online portal Learnet and other computerised systems, the time servicemen spend in classrooms has been cut by up to 20 per cent. That gives them more time for 'tough, realistic, and rigorous training'.
Mr Wong also gave an update on training opportunities for SAF regulars. A new partnership with Nanyang Polytechnic offers up to 30 eligible regulars a chance to enrol for a part-time programme in business management.
Dr Lim and Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam asked if the two-year NS stint could be shortened, since technology has reduced the need for manpower.
Dr Ng said NS duration, which was cut from 21/2 years to 2 years in 2004, could not be shortened until further review.
Explaining that NSmen are not 'the second line of defence', Dr Ng said: 'When there's a need, they are the first responders to protect Singapore when our survival is threatened.'
The SAF thus needs an adequate amount of time to train them to play that role effectively, he said.
'I think a greater sin is to call people for NS and not train them effectively for that role,' he added.
In response to Mr Alvin Yeo (Chua Chu Kang GRC), Dr Ng also gave an update on Singapore's overseas deployments.
He announced that Singapore will later this year deploy a stealth frigate with a naval helicopter task group to beef up piracy controls in the Gulf of Aden.
The upcoming deployment is the fourth to the area since 2009, when the SAF sent a Landing Ship Tank and Super Puma helicopter to the piracy hotspot off the waters of Somalia.
Mr Wong also gave an update on training opportunities for SAF regulars. A new partnership with Nanyang Polytechnic offers up to 30 eligible regulars a chance to enrol for a part-time programme in business management.
Dr Lim and Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam asked if the two-year NS stint could be shortened, since technology has reduced the need for manpower.
Dr Ng said NS duration, which was cut from 21/2 years to 2 years in 2004, could not be shortened until further review.
Explaining that NSmen are not 'the second line of defence', Dr Ng said: 'When there's a need, they are the first responders to protect Singapore when our survival is threatened.'
The SAF thus needs an adequate amount of time to train them to play that role effectively, he said.
'I think a greater sin is to call people for NS and not train them effectively for that role,' he added.
In response to Mr Alvin Yeo (Chua Chu Kang GRC), Dr Ng also gave an update on Singapore's overseas deployments.
He announced that Singapore will later this year deploy a stealth frigate with a naval helicopter task group to beef up piracy controls in the Gulf of Aden.
The upcoming deployment is the fourth to the area since 2009, when the SAF sent a Landing Ship Tank and Super Puma helicopter to the piracy hotspot off the waters of Somalia.
More Malays in higher, demanding SAF roles
By Cai Haoxiang, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2012
By Cai Haoxiang, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2012
DEFENCE Minister Ng Eng Hen gave MPs the assurance yesterday that Malays in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are appointed based on individual qualifications and merit.
He said the SAF's principle of getting the best from each national serviceman applies to all Singaporeans, of all races.
Dr Ng was replying to Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) who had asked about the status of Malays in the SAF.
Speaking in Malay, Mr Zaqy noted that more Malays have been serving in sensitive SAF posts.
But there was talk in cyberspace last month on whether more doors could be opened for them, he said.
'For Malays, this issue can stir up emotions if it's not handled properly. Misunderstandings and baseless accusations can bring about unhappiness,' he said.
'I hope the Government will be more open about this issue, as I believe the Malays in Singapore want to fight for and make meaningful contributions like other communities in Singapore.'
Replying, Dr Ng said: 'We operate on this principle: As long as a serviceman is committed to Singapore, dedicated to SAF and capable of doing the job, his appointment and advancement in the SAF will be based on qualifications and merit.'
More Malays have been appointed to higher and more demanding roles in the SAF in tandem with rising educational standards, he said.
These roles include 'commandos, engineers, artillery and signals, pilots and sea soldiers'.
More Malay regular servicemen have also risen to hold senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, he added.
Both Mr Zaqy and Mr Singh also noted the Malay community's concern that its national servicemen are over-represented in the police and civil defence instead of in the military.
Not true, said Dr Ng, pointing out that the SAF has 'always taken in the bulk of the Malay enlistees, more than the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force combined'.
Celebrating 45 years of national service
To mark the 45th anniversary of national service, a series of events will be held to pay tribute to the 700,000 men who have gone through this rite of passage. This year's celebrations is themed 'From Fathers to Sons'.
The events include:
To mark the 45th anniversary of national service, a series of events will be held to pay tribute to the 700,000 men who have gone through this rite of passage. This year's celebrations is themed 'From Fathers to Sons'.
The events include:
My NS Story online portal
The website, launched yesterday, allows Singaporeans to share their memories of special NS moments. Visit it online at www.NS45.sg
Army Open House (May 24 to 28)
Taking place in the heart of the city at the F1 Pit Building, the five-day event is the first Army Open House to be put up in a prominent public area.
SAF Day Parade (July 1)
This year's parade, to be held at Safti Military Institute, will see citizen soldiers standing with regulars to affirm their loyalty to the country.
Employers' Support for Total Defence Symposium (July)
Jointly organised by companies, Mindef and the SAF, the half-day event will allow employers to share their pro-NS human resource policies.
National Day Parade (Aug 9)
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