Speech by Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, at the 15th Singapore Armed Forces Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony

Chief of Defence Force,
Chief of Navy, and Director of Military Intelligence/Chief C4I,
Senior Commanders,
Graduates of the 15^th SAF Senior Military Expert Course,
Ladies and gentlemen,

A very good evening to all of you

I am very happy to join you this evening as we witness the graduation of 111 military experts who have completed their professional training, and will be taking up appointments as Senior Military Experts in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

To the graduates, you have been stretched both physically and mentally through arduous training in your respective domains. Your presence this evening bears testament to your fighting spirit and resolve to overcome each hurdle and serve the nation. You embrace lifelong learning and epitomize the "can do" spirit that our pioneers imparted to us. This is indeed a momentous milestone and I am honoured to share this with you.

To the family members, friends and loved ones gathered here, thank you for walking this journey with our servicemen and women. Just as they are pillars of the SAF, so too are you the pillars in their lives. It is with your unwavering support that they have been able to focus on their training and come this far. This evening is as much a recognition of your success and sacrifices as it is for our graduates. Graduates, please join me in giving a big round of applause to your loved ones here this evening.

SECURITY CHALLENGES OF OUR TIMES

We cannot take the peaceful times that we live in for granted. Regional and global uncertainties mean that we must continue to be vigilant and ready for all manner of threats, conventional or otherwise. In this effort, the SAF looks to our Military Experts for their leadership in technical and professional domain areas, such as intelligence, engineering, military medicine, cyber defence and many more. It is no small responsibility to keep the SAF sharp and ready, especially as security threats continue to evolve.

We must never become complacent about the potential for conventional conflict. For example, there are overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, carrying with them the risk of escalation due to miscalculations on the ground. Even as we seek to guard against such incidents, other evolving threats continue to require our attention. While we are not a claimant state, we must continue to advocate for rules-based international order that ensures freedom of navigation in the seas and in the air.

Around the world, the fight against terrorism waxes and wanes, but never ceases. While the governments of Iran and Syria have declared the defeat of ISIS, their members continue to carry out attacks there. At the same time, ISIS members from various parts of the world are returning home to continue to wreak terror and violence. Up to one thousand Southeast Asians have been identified as having joined ISIS in the Middle East. Their return poses a severe threat to the region, including Singapore. Just two months ago, in Surabaya, there were attacks on churches and near the police headquarters. The perpetrators were families and, chillingly, involved children as young as eight years old. Just across the causeway in Malaysia, suspected terrorists continue to be arrested and charged by the Malaysian Police. The siege of Marawi City in the Philippines shows semblance of what terrorist organizations can do in local communities. Singapore is not immune to this. The risk of attacks from lone wolves and small groups, even from radicalised Singaporeans, remains.

We are also vulnerable to cyber security threats. Our technological advancements and interconnectedness affords us opportunities and convenience, but brings with it greater exposure to malicious forces, such as Advanced Persistent Threats with sophisticated capabilities. In Singapore, cyber-attacks can threaten us across all sectors, be it military, public services, education or finance. Earlier this year in March a Ransomware attack in the United States (US) city of Atlanta disrupted many of the systems and applications meant for public use. This one attack would cost the city millions of dollars to recover from. Singapore has not been spared either. In 2017, MINDEF was targeted by a cyber-attack where personal details of 850 national servicemen and staff were stolen. We must remain vigilant and ready for the next attack.

FUTURE READY CAPABILITIES

The SAF's Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) Community gives the SAF the edge in information superiority. Military Experts form the bulk of its ranks, helping to safeguard Singapore against unconventional threats such as terrorism and cyber attacks. Their domain knowledge of the complex threat environment, as well as their expertise in technology and computer systems, allow the SAF to pierce the fog of war and to keep vigilant watch over our nation. Our C4I experts continuously seek to combine new technologies into their arsenal, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence. These capabilities help them process large and complex data sets, and extract insights and intelligence that allows them to detect potential threats. In the air, land, maritime and cyber domains, our Military Experts manage and maintain our high-tech weapon systems in order to maximise the effectiveness of our defence capabilities. This ensures that the SAF is ready in both its conventional and unconventional capabilities.

PUT TO THE TEST

The SAF was put to the test during the recent Trump-Kim Summit held here in Singapore. Not many people realised this. Our soldiers were deployed to secure vital areas on the ground while fighter aircraft and naval ships patrolled the air and sea to safeguard our nation. Our Military Experts were an integral part of this operation. Air Imagery Intelligence Experts interpreted imagery from the UAVs patrolling the sky, while Naval Warfare System Experts manned and operated the weapon systems on our Littoral Mission Vessels and Missile Corvettes. On the ground, our Medical Experts stood ready to respond to any incidents that might occur. The SAF's successful execution of this complex operation ensured that the summit could proceed safely and smoothly, giving Singapore global recognition as a safe and stable nation that can be trusted to do things right.

THE MDES INNOVATION

The Military Domain Expert Scheme, or MDES, is one such initiative where we have done right. It has allowed us to build a range of deep expertise to support the SAF. In addition to their expertise, our Military Experts are also professional leaders. Imbued with the SAF core values, they dedicate themselves to the development and well-being of the soldiers, sailors and airmen that serve under them. The success of the MDES has led to other militaries reaching out to understand and learn from us.

Military Experts make essential and meaningful contributions to SAF operations, training and safety, while nurturing the next generation to go further. This is exemplified by ME4 Noordin Bin Jenun, who has served the SAF for 36 years. He has built a suite of skills as an Army maintenance specialist and inspires junior servicemen and women to improve themselves. Currently, three of his former staff have completed or are pursuing further studies in universities and polytechnics. His commitment to staff well-being extends beyond the professional domain. Over a six-month period, ME4 Noordin put in effort to engage a Full-Time National Serviceman (NSF) who was under his charge and who had just come out of drug rehabilitation, with the aim of pulling him away from bad company. Even after the NSF's Operationally Ready Date, they still keep in contact, and the young man is doing well.

Military Experts push themselves and in doing so expand the boundaries of the SAF's domain expertise and capabilities. Over his career, ME4 Vicknesh S/O Thanabalasingam has honed his technical and domain expertise while also serving as a Weapon Systems specialist in the Republic of Singapore Navy. He balances work, family, and study to achieve top positions in courses and training. He even attained First Class Honours for his sponsored part-time undergraduate studies in Electronical Engineering at the Singapore Institute of Management. He melds his operational experience in Naval weapons systems with newly-gained knowledge, to provide insights into the maintenance of these systems to increase their readiness and effectiveness.

Our Military Experts do Singapore proud around the world. ME4 Phuvdar Singh Dhami S/O Bhajan Singh from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has participated in several long-term postings in the US. During a routine system check of the F-16 Fighter aircraft under his charge, he discovered that a component had been wrongly configured by an external agency. He intervened promptly, preventing a catastrophic equipment failure. For his vigilance, he earned the recognition of our counterparts in the US Air Force, and was subsequently awarded the Letter of Commendation for Safety from the RSAF detachment in Luke Air Force Base. This was on top of the Weapon Technician Award that he received from the US Air Force's 56^th Fighter Wing.

The MDES also attracts talent from outside the military, bringing a diversity of perspectives and experiences that strengthen the SAF. ME5 Wong Yew Cheong, for example, previously worked in telecommunications in the private sector. He decided, mid-career, to join the SAF due to his belief in the importance of its mission. As an Intelligence Military Expert, he can tap on his experience in telecommunications to bring refreshing ideas to enhance our C4 systems.

CONCLUSION

To graduates, as you leave here this evening, you will be appointed Senior Military Experts and will be part of the greater community. You will bear the burden of responsibility and leadership, over not just the technical domains but also your peers and subordinates. You are leaders and while we know that leadership is no easy task, we nonetheless expect you and your  utmost best as you perform your duties. Inspire and motivate those who serve under you and help them contribute to the nation. Be confident, as you have been selected and trained to do the job. Your core values will always guide you when you chart your path forward.

Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all of you. I wish you all the best as you embark on a new phase of your military career and start your leadership journey.

Thank you and have a pleasant evening.

More Resources

• 111 Appointed as Senior Military Experts