Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the NDP 2018 Appreciation Function

Chief of Defence Force,
Distinguished Guests, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good evening.

That video brought back many warm memories. Especially for the participants, who have been practicing many months. I am delighted to be here with you this appreciation function for National Day Parade (NDP). If you reflect on our NDP, through the years, our NDP has become a unique event. Globally, there are few, if any, countries that have an NDP quite like ours. Of course, you have many countries that do have military parades, the equivalent of our Parade and Ceremony (segment) to mark their independence. 

We got to observe this recently, because we were invited by the French government, Prime Minister Lee and the delegation. It was on 14 July, their National Day, and also happened to be the 20th anniversary of our fighter training detachment in Cazaux. And as luck would have it, we were included as part of the parade. In fact, four RSAF soldiers led the entire French military force. And our M-346 (Advanced Jet Trainers) also flew over the Arc de Triomphe. And that parade was pretty interesting. If you know Paris, it is along the Champs Elysee. And they built a stand that probably accommodates 20,000 people at one end of Champs Elysee. And at the other end is the Arc de Triomphe. So you have basically a two-mile stretch that you sit and you see the entire French military force marching from the other end. Quite siong (Hokkien for fierce), two miles, all the way towards you. And the planes and helicopters as well. Not only planes, people, but horses. So, quite exciting to see horses in a tourist belt marching up. Because for France, like many countries in Europe with a long history of fighting many wars, and even some where they lost the whole country, and had to fight to win it back. Obviously, World War II was an example. So for them, because if you look at the old pictures, there were not only Frenchmen who were marching up from the Arc de Triomphe. There were soldiers of other countries who had been captured. And they had to fight it back. Now, for these countries, their National Day is an annual reminder of what their forebears had to fight and die for to win back their independence. 

We, of course, hope that will never happen to Singapore, but history tells us that for most nations it can happen, with a few exceptions, the United States of America, and certain geographically isolated nations like Australia, Canada and New Zealand.  
 
We all know that Singapore's history is different. We were occupied by the Japanese Army for about three and a half years, we were a British Colony. And today, Singapore marks that memory differently, not on National Day but the 15 February, the day Singapore fell. But to families affected, it still brings back painful and sad memories, even decades after the event. So when we have these commemorative events, families come, and it is with much sorrow. Singapore gained independence not through wars, but first as part of Malaya, when an impoverished Britain after World War II was unable to hold on to its colonies, and later in 1965 after we had separated from Malaysia.

I am starting on this very sombre note for the NDP Appreciation Function not to dampen your spirits but to underscore how important a role each of you, each of us, play in sponsoring or participating in the NDP. Because we can forget what it is about, we can think it is just a parade show. But as a relatively young and independent country, each NDP that we hold every year is about a nation still establishing itself, and not least through a common identity.

We are 53 this year. I think we have come a long way. Our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew said in 1984 about the challenges we had just after independence, and I would quote him. He said, "The basic attributes of nationhood were missing. We were groups of diverse and different people. We had no common past. We had no common language, culture, or religion. We did not have the 'social glue' to hold together as a nation." 

I think today we have come further from what he described. Nevertheless, the forging of a Singapore identity that binds us all is still a work in progress, and with each NDP, that confidence, that togetherness and boldness to face the future together as one nation – the theme of this year's NDP "We are Singapore" – grows. 

We have to ask ourselves in our quieter moments, each to themselves, whether that Singapore, if tested, will hold, or will people run back to where their forebears came from? Or, not even stand together to fight? I have the confidence that we (will hold), but that is a question that each of us must ask. So, the NDP, if we can hold it every year, is a screw tightened. Tightened, that we might bolt down the nation that we call Singapore. On that score, NDP 18 was a resounding success, and your many weeks of effort have paid off handsomely, your participation, your sponsorship. You can be proud of playing a part in this year's NDP's success. And I want to especially thank the Muslims who rehearsed while fasting during Ramadan.

Theme of NDP

Why was NDP 18 a success? I think it succeeded because it gave expression to what Singapore is and wants to become. And it achieved that goal through the most time-tested method of good storytelling. You and I know friends whom you sit with, who are really good storytellers – you do not know whether half of it is true or not – but they are good storytellers. After a few beers, the tales get longer. But this year's NDP was a superb storytelling exercise, and it reflected Singapore's story through the lives of ordinary Singaporeans who performed extraordinary acts. These stories across time periods, of people of different races and social circumstances, were accessible. Singaporeans felt that they could connect; (and the stories were) easy to relate with. So whether it was a samsui lady, you fan sek fan, you jeok sek jeok (Cantonese to mean being contented with what you have). How much simply can you put that kind of philosophy in life? Whether it was a teacher-pupil, whether it was a social entrepreneur and a foreign worker, whether it was an aspiring Olympic sprinter, whether it was a blind busker and son. There was an unusual occurrence this year, more so than previous. Many came up to me after the show and told me after the NDP that they were touched and teared. Some who have saw it more than one time said each time they saw it they teared again. I have supervised and attended many NDPs. Every year you may see one; Every year I see five or six (shows). And I will tell you, these comments are rare. Singaporeans are not by nature forthcoming. They will tell you something if their lives are touched. Because the NDP reminded us, through these stories, of the struggles in our past and that we can be stronger helping one another as a community. I gave purpose and hope to our future as one nation.

This year's NDP, as the video showed, also featured many firsts and unique events. We were very thankful that the weather co-operated. (I) remember the previous years we have cancelled (the Red Lions segment) when the clouds came down and our jumpers could not see. But this year, (we had) good weather, and the Red Lions could actually "fly" in with their wing suits from a record height of 12,500 feet. And for the first time, our Navy's combat divers could for the first time join them from 6,000 feet straight into the waters around the Marina Bay floating platform. The divers wore their tactical vests and fins as well as carried their assault rifles – all in the weight was about 50kg. This is not a mean feat because the fins alone (can) catch more wind and flip them upside-down. 

I am also glad that the aerial display was beefed up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with 22 transport aircraft, fighter jets and helicopters. And the RSAF crew did the RSAF and Singapore proud. All you needed to be convinced about this was when the sound of freedom or the roars of our fighter jets went over our crowd; people covering their ears and smiling; that beam on the child's face, tells you all.

Many people were also touched by the various ground-up activities because it provided many groups special ways of saying happy birthday to Singapore. We saw this for example in the tote bag for the funpack designed by 38 Special Education students. We saw it in the visits before the actual NDP, where we had beneficiaries from the Dyslexia Association of Singapore and the AWWA were invited to watch the fireworks, and we had visits to 15 community hospitals and nursing homes – organised as part of the "18 Days of Giving" campaign by the SG Cares Coordinating Committee, the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and the National Council of Social Service. These little streams add to a river of hope, and (showed our spirit of) inclusiveness, care and compassion.

All in all, a total of almost 15,000 people from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team, and the public and private sector agencies, including yourselves, came together, whether you were participants, volunteers, performers and background crew. This included the military tattoo and combined schools choir, which is an evergreen crowd favourite. And you could tell, this year, because they wanted to tell their story so strongly, that whether it was the seven-year-old Emily Tay, our youngest participant, or the 93-year-old violinist Julai Tan, our oldest participant, it was the passion of each participant who gave their all to make this year's NDP memorable for the millions who watched it either live or at home. And you can see the dancers from Institute of Technical Education, Singapore SOKA Association or People's Association, organisations, or the beautiful music by our local singers, you can truly say, this was a celebration by Singaporeans for Singaporeans.

There was another richly symbolic facet of NDP 18 that I liked very much. I am referring to a younger generation building on what previous generations have done. What do I mean? The theme song. Charlie Lim wrote the theme song, working off the original written in 1987. That is more than 30 years ago. Sometimes you can write an entirely new song; sometimes you can remake it. But I like this rich symbolism of the younger generation, adding to what the older generation started, and adding their own voice. If I was a good singer, I would sing it for you. Let me read it: 
 
"How many times have you heard them say,
The future is uncertain and everything must change
…
I know I've got to be the change I want to see
How easy we forget that everything takes time,
No, nothing's ever perfect, But I still call you mine"

And then the familiar song, 'We are Singapore'. In so doing, the younger generation that does this, owns the Singapore of today and commits to shaping the Singapore of tomorrow.

Celebration of Family 

NDP 18 was for some a family affair, literally. Because we have mother and son, Lim Keen Hong and Justin Wong from the DBS contingent; brother and sister, Eileen Ang and Sam Lee from Kopitiam; sisters Geethapriya and Vishnupriya, who are both Girl Guides' and brothers from the Police, Mustaqiim and Mubaarak. 

There were drummers in the show, sisters Lynn and Joyce Chang and their mother Koh Lee Nah. We had husband and wife teams too - Ronald Queh and Karen Yap. In fact, that is how Ronald Queh and Karen Yap met, during an NDP rehearsal. I guess it can be made into a romantic story by Jun Feng one day, and beautiful music by Sydney Tan and you can choreograph beautiful choreography by Zaini Tahir but that's something that they have to think of in the next NDP. But Ronald met Karen and proposed to Karen after the NDP rehearsals, right before they were due to perform at NDP! Ronald and Karen now have a one year old child. So on record, not only does the NDP help forge a nation, it is responsible for starting families too!

Let me end by congratulating and thanking all of you who made the NDP a resounding success – the Executive Committee (EXCO), corporate and individual sponsors, participants and supporting staff. This ultimately is a show by ourselves, for ourselves. Each year, we can do it, each year our outlook for the future brightens.

Announcement of NDP 19 Venue

Next year, Singapore will commemorate its Bicentennial. 200 years of the founding modern Singapore. It will be another special NDP that will reflect how far we have come and our common aspirations for Singapore. The Bicentennial NDP will be held at the Padang, appropriately, because that has been site that has been the witness to many key events in Singapore's history. 

I look forward to your continued support for our future NDPs, and wish each and every one here an enjoyable evening. 

Thank you. 

More Resources

Defence Minister Thanks NDP 2018's Organisers, Participating Organisations and Sponsors