Speech by Senior Minister of State For Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, for the 12th SAF Senior Military Experts Appointment Ceremony, on 7 Dec 16, 1850hrs, at SAFTI Military Institute

Chief of Navy
Senior Commanders
Graduates of the 12th SAF Senior Military Experts Course
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good evening. 

A MOMENT OF PRESTIGE AND CALLING

I am delighted to be here to share this proud occasion with the graduates of the 12th SAF Senior Military Experts Course. Congratulations to all of you. 

To family members and loved ones who are present with us this evening, I would like to thank you for the unstinting support that you have given the graduates over the years. You are the core reason for their commitment to serve the nation, and their pillars of strength. Their success today is also your success. So, graduates, please join me in giving a round of applause to express our appreciation to all your loved ones here today.

As Military Experts, you are a critical pillar to the SAF. The SAF looks to you for leadership in technical expertise and professional domain areas such as engineering, intelligence, military medicine and military music. You ensure that the SAF is always operationally ready and achieves success in each mission it undertakes. Together with the Officer, Warrant Officer, and the Specialist Corps, you uphold the values of leadership and professionalism, so as to build an even stronger SAF. It is only with a strong SAF behind us that the people of Singapore can continue to live in a safe and secure home, and enjoy peace and prosperity in an uncertain world.

CHALLENGING TIMES

We live in uncertain times and face a broad spectrum of security challenges on top of the conventional threats, from cyber-attacks to piracy and to acts of terrorism. In an increasingly interconnected world, Singapore is constantly exposed to global and regional security challenges. 

Terrorism, as a threat, has grown more severe. Nearly a thousand men and women from Southeast Asia, including Singapore, have travelled to the Middle East to fight for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In the coming months, we will see many radicalised individuals beginning to return home. Their return may pose serious security threats to Singapore and the region. Already, we see the establishment of an ISIS wilayah (province) in the southern Philippines, from which terror attacks may be staged. A grenade blast at a nightspot in Puchong earlier this year marked the first successful attack by ISIS in Malaysia. More recently, we uncovered a plot to fire a rocket at the Marina Bay from Batam. While the suspects were arrested before the attack could take place, this incident is a reminder of how close the threat of terrorism is to our shores. Furthermore, cyberspace and social media platforms provide fertile grounds for terrorist groups like the Katibah Nusantara, the Southeast Asian military unit of ISIS, to recruit. This group is releasing, on social media, propaganda tailored for and targeted at Southeast Asia with the aim of radicalising more individuals towards their extremist ideologies, and to incite violence in the region.

Since December 2014, the SAF has been supporting the multinational coalition against the extremist threat posed by ISIS. We have contributed in the areas of intelligence fusion, imagery analysis, as well as air-to-air refuelling operations. From 2017 onwards, the SAF will increase its contribution to the coalition by deploying a medical support team to Iraq. Many of these niche areas of expertise are where our Military Experts can contribute. The multinational coalition has made good progress in undermining the ISIS and its network. It is important for us to continue this effort. 

The future of the global and regional environment remains uncertain, as issues such as the South China Sea dispute continue to be unresolved. We also see how, in line with rising nationalism and improving economies, many Asian countries have been investing larger sums to modernise their militaries. With this trend, this means that missteps and miscalculations carry a greater risk of sparking off larger incidents between nations.

Finally, in Singapore, the confluence of an ageing population and a low birth-rate will affect our economic vibrancy. More critically, it will result in a smaller pool of soldiers for defence. We expect the number of full-time National Servicemen to shrink, which will mean fewer soldiers on the ground, controlling assets, or even leading other soldiers. This changing demographic profile will also create more pressure for higher social spending and questions on our defence spending policies. We will have to continue pushing our boundaries of technology and innovation as we respond to these new social challenges. 

A CALL TO INNOVATE

As Singapore faces more complex security challenges, we must constantly be forward-looking and innovative to ensure that the SAF is always operationally ready. We depend on you, the Military Experts, to push the operational and technological boundaries of your specialist domains, while working with each other, the rest of MINDEF and the SAF, as well as commercial partners, to develop and deliver solutions that help us be better and sharper. The Underground Ammunition Facility is an excellent example of an engineering achievement which has set new international standards in underground storage, safety and efficiency. Our Military Experts in the Ammunition Command, who come from the Army, Air Force and Navy, were part of the diverse engineering team comprising members from the SAF, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, industry partners, as well as local and foreign researchers. Singapore continues to benefit from the pioneering efforts of this engineering team, with the opening of the Jurong Rock Caverns and the development of an URA Underground Masterplan.

This ability to harness technology by leveraging each other's expertise and working together across many agencies on cross-domain problems will be a critical enabler for us. With this ability, we can better tackle the security, demographic and economic challenges faced by Singapore and the SAF. To this end, I urge all of you to go beyond your traditional Service boundaries and expert domains, and to collaborate within the larger defence eco-system. Through innovative ideas, deep technological expertise and stronger partnerships, we will see greater breakthroughs and new capabilities that will help ensure Singapore's continued stability and survival.

WE GOT IT RIGHT

I am heartened to see how the Military Domain Experts Scheme has created multiple paths of success for aspiring professionals from all walks of life. By bringing in commercial sector personnel, we also infuse valuable professional knowledge into the SAF, to keep our expertise holistic and up to date. Amongst our graduates are former professionals from the private sector who chose to embark on the path of a Senior Military Expert. One such example is ME5 Chew Tiau Siong, who was a practicing engineer in commercial unmanned submarines for over a decade. He joined us this year at the age of 40 and attributed this courageous mid-career switch to his innate sense of duty to Singapore. ME5 Chew said that he wanted to utilise his professional knowledge from the industry to deliver future capabilities for our Navy. This combination of professional industry knowledge and a deep understanding of the military context will enable our Senior Military Experts to work effectively towards mission success.

Since the inception of the Military Domain Experts Scheme in 2010, there has been a steady improvement in recruitment and between 3 to 4 per cent of those recruited are mid-careerists. In the last work year, Senior Military Expert recruitment was the strongest amongst the SAF's schemes. It is heartening that the SAF is seen as an organisation that provides engaging and fulfilling careers. You see this in the meaningful and significant contributions our Military Experts have made, such as participating in various Peace Support and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations. In 2011, ME4 Ayden Peh Rui Xiang ensured that our Super Puma Helicopters were always fuelled and ready to conduct the daily flights necessary to support multinational counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden. ME3 Sim Ming Yong from Command, Control, Communications and Computers Operations Group ensured that critical Satellite communications were deployed successfully during peace support operations in Iraq and the humanitarian relief efforts after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Indeed, our Military Experts serve with a big heart and are always ready to respond to our nation's call. 

THE MDES SCHEME AS AN ENABLER

The Military Domain Expert Scheme is an enabler. It helps our people to build strong foundations, nurture their talents, and contribute meaningfully. With multiple paths of success for progression and conscientious career development, it also reflects the spirit of the SkillsFuture initiative. I am reminded of ME2 Tham Jia Xiong's inspiring story. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technician in 6th Army Maintenance Base, he received a sponsorship for full-time study at the age of 33 and graduated with a higher National Institute of Technical Education Certificate in Mechatronics Engineering. His final year project, an autonomous humanoid wrist control system, clinched both the Lee Kuan Yew Technology Awards as well as the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventor's award. Many departments in the SAF are already knocking on his doors to see how his innovation can be developed to improve how the SAF handles hazardous materials. I am confident that ME2 Tham will continue to deepen his expertise and continue to contribute to the nation. 

ME4 Malini from the Military Intelligence Organisation decided to join us after being inspired by her father, an Army Engineer at 9th Army Maintenance Base. With a degree in Psychology, she has put her talents to good use and developed a robust suite of skills during her work in the Imagery Support Group.

ENGAGING SINGAPOREANS IN DEFENCE

Many Singaporeans know of the SAF as the men in green, white and blue defending the country and ensuring that they are safe and secure. But few understand the roles of the unsung heroes behind the scenes like that of our Military Experts who make things happen for the SAF. It is thus important that we continue to engage Singaporeans so that they have a better understanding of what you do for them so that they fully appreciate the capabilities of the SAF and perhaps for some of them to be inspired to follow in your footsteps. 

CONCLUSION

As the SAF seeks to scale new heights, we will count on you as Senior Military Experts to achieve mission success, to serve with integrity and passion, and to inspire and motivate those under you to do their best for the nation. Your contributions are critical to ensure that the 3rd generation SAF always remains credible and operationally ready. I wish all of you the best as you embark on a new phase of your military profession and your leadership journey.

Thank you, congratulations and have a pleasant evening.