Written Reply by SMS Heng Chee How to Parliamentary Question on Topics for MINDEF’s Platform to Deepen Commitment to Singapore

Mr Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) as part of the National Education programme, what have been some of the latest topics which Nexus, a platform that seeks to deepen Singaporeans' commitment to Singapore, has developed as resource packages; (b) who are the beneficiaries of these resource packages; (c) whether any resource package has been developed about the current on-going conflict between Israel and Hamas; and (d) if so, what are the key messages conveyed in this resource package and whether they are conveyed to National Servicemen.

Senior Minister of State for Defence, Heng Chee How:

The National Education office in MINDEF, or Nexus, works across government agencies to develop resources to help Singaporeans better understand Singapore's challenges and interests. These resources are used by national education partners and practitioners to deliver programmes and activities, such as educational talks and games, and learning journeys. The resources are also publicly available online through the SG101 website (https://sg101.gov.sg).  

The topics covered in the resources include Singapore's nationhood journey, our common identity and shared values, our challenges, policies and national initiatives such as Total Defence. They also include contemporaneous issues in Singapore and around the world. Recent examples of contemporaneous issues covered include the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food and energy security, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Specific to the Israel-Hamas conflict, the content covered our national position on the conflict as well as key reflections for us with regard to our preparedness for crises and disruptions, and the importance of maintaining our social cohesion, and racial and religious harmony amid external events that can divide societies.