Speech by Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim at the 108/17 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade

Graduands of the 108/17 Officer Cadet Course, 
Parents,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Today marks a significant milestone in your lives. To the graduands on parade, I congratulate all of you for successfully completing the Officer Cadet Course. The past 38 weeks of training were physically and mentally demanding. They required tenacity, resilience, and commitment. In completing the course, you have proven yourselves and now stand ready to take on your duties as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. Your happiness and pride are felt not only by your family and loved ones, but by your commanders, instructors, and fellow cadets as well. 

As leaders, you will be responsible for leading and inspiring Singaporean sons and daughters under your command to protect our people, our security and our way of life. While you look forward to your new duties with excitement and eager anticipation, you should also reflect on what this heavy responsibility means.

A Strong SAF Built on the Strength and Competence of Visionary Leaders 

The first batch of SAF officers was commissioned on the SAFTI Parade Square in Pasir Laba Camp 51 years ago, during a time of great geopolitical uncertainty. Southeast Asia, including Singapore, faced Communist insurgencies. Relations with our immediate neighbours were strained following Separation and Konfrontasi. In 1967, the very year that National Service was started, the British government also announced that it was withdrawing its military presence from Southeast Asia, including Singapore. This meant that Singapore, a two-year old nation with few resources and whose very survival was in question, had to take on the daunting task of defending our own sovereignty. 

From these circumstances, our first batch of officers built the foundation for the SAF that we know today. Our Pioneer generation persevered in their mission despite the challenges, because they had the unwavering belief that we ourselves had to defend our home and preserve our independence. Having lived through turbulent times, and foreign occupation, they understood what it meant to lose their freedom and surrender their fates to a foreign power. 

Thanks to their sacrifices, we take pride today in having a modern, capable and internationally respected armed forces. 

Strong Leadership for the Defence of Singapore in the 21st Century

Even as we live in a period of relative peace, we must be aware of the new and evolving threats around us. 

Radical terrorism is a major concern. It threatens our safety and economy, and undermines our social unity. The return of ISIS-trained militants from the Middle East to Southeast Asia has made terrorism a real threat not just to our region, but to Singapore as well. Recognising the seriousness of the terror threat in Singapore, our government launched the SGSecure movement in 2016 to sensitise, train and mobilise our community to prevent and deal with a terrorist attack. Our security agencies have also stepped up efforts in response to the heightened terror threat. SAF units regularly conduct joint training with the Home Team to sharpen their operational response to large-scale terror attacks. 

Cyber-security is also a new battle-front, a transnational threat with effects that could be potentially as devastating as physical attacks. Around the world, large enterprises like Yahoo, Uber, and LinkedIn have been hacked, as well as government agencies managing critical services in healthcare, finance, and national security. 

Singapore is a very attractive target for hackers and cyber-criminals. To address this threat, the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) leads whole-of-government efforts to strengthen cybersecurity of our critical sectors such as transport, healthcare, security and finance together. These include leading exercises to test and strengthen incident response plans and enable better cross-sector coordination.

On the defence front, the SAF inaugurated the SAF C4 command and the Cyber Defence Group in November 2017. The Cyber Defence Group keeps watch over the SAF's systems, 24/7. Through the Cyber NSF scheme, SAF will also tap on the expertise of its NSF talent pool and deploy the nation’s best resources to deal with advanced cyber threats and defend our networks. 

Building Strong Leadership in the SAF

Going forward, Singapore and the SAF will need to continue to have forward-looking leaders in order to anticipate challenges and safeguard Singapore from diverse and complex threats. We have a strong SAF that is able to operate alongside advanced militaries around the world, share professional knowledge, enhance practical cooperation, and jointly tackle transnational challenges. The SAF acts as a credible deterrent to aggressors, preserves Singapore’s peace and also contributes to enhancing the security of our region and beyond. 

Given the strong imperative to groom strong leaders, we have invested significant resources to nurture competent and resilient leaders like yourselves.  As commanders, you will lead men and women who come from diverse backgrounds, with different beliefs, priorities and concerns. We will count on you to build strong, cohesive and capable teams. Help them realise their full potential and push them to new heights; but always have their welfare and safety at heart. Instill in them the right values and attitudes. Above all, show them that our nation, our people and our way of life are worth defending. We entrust you to lead the SAF, to have the fortitude and resilience to deal with challenges and uncertainties, and to inspire those under your command to fight for our country and our people.

I am glad that with us today on the parade square are three foreign officers – from the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the New Zealand Defence Force. We have had more than 200 foreign officers graduate from OCS over the past 40 years. The valuable friendships forged during your time here reflect the warm and long-standing defence relations and cooperation between our countries. As the world becomes more inter-connected and interdependent, these bonds help us tackle the complex threats that affect many countries. Do build on the friendships developed over your time in OCS, and stay in touch as you continue your respective military journeys.

To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome

To all, this is a proud and defining moment for you, your families and your loved ones. I congratulate all of you on your successful commissioning as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces, and am confident that you will discharge your duties with professionalism, pride and confidence. 

Remember that your commissioning symbolises the trust that our nation has in you. Continue to fly the nation’s flag high, and I wish you all the best in your leadership journey. 

Thank you.

More Resources

160 Commissioned as SAF Officers