Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony at MINDEF

Chief of Defence Force,

Service Chiefs,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Families and Friends,

Let me begin by thanking the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen and women receiving their medals today for your contributions during your overseas deployments. You represented Singapore and the SAF proudly, flew our flag high through your professionalism and conduct, and fulfilled missions under trying circumstances. As a result, you garnered praise from other militaries. When I visited some of the detachments or when I meet some of the overseas ministers and your military counterparts, they speak of you with high regard. You also got gratitude from the people you helped directly and from the local governments there. I know that you could not have done this without your family members. I want to thank them, especially those who are here today. Because you stepped up to fill household responsibilities and roles when your spouses or your family members were overseas.

The Overseas Service Medal (OSM) recipients today were deployed in Iraq as part of the multinational coalition against terrorism against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS); and for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations following the earthquake and tsunami at Sulawesi in September last year.

Countering Terrorism

The fight against terrorism is a long-term challenge. ISIS may have been weakened but this challenge will not go away soon. Because when you look at ISIS even though it is severely weakened just like Al Qaeda (AQ) before it, what you are seeing is one wave gone, but another wave, or even more waves will come. It may come from other extremist groups or unrelated groups continuing these jihadist attacks. And the real truth is that the SAF and Singaporeans will have to deal with each wave as it comes. So the OSM recipients today were in Iraq working alongside partner contingents that came from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom and together we trained over 4,500 Iraqi troops in counter-terrorism over nine months. And during this tour, there was another significant milestone that was achieved – the capture of the last ISIS stronghold in Syria in March this year. The SAF is a relatively small-sized military but it is in Singapore’s interest to do our part to deal with this global security challenge posed by terrorism. Because against both Al Qaeda and ISIS, it was the international coalition working closely together that thwarted the terrorist plots and averted many potential threats and injuries, whether in the Middle East or in our region including Singapore. If we did not stand the time, if we did not act against Al Qaeda and ISIS, I have no doubt that you will have more terrorist attacks across the regions and in Singapore. So your contributions there protected Singaporeans here and citizens everywhere.

Although ISIS has lost considerable physical territory in Iraq and Syria, it still retains significant numbers of operatives and financial networks and, through them, is scouring refugee camps in north eastern Syria for new recruits. Recently, the US government reported that ISIS still has about 18,000 supporters in Iraq and Syria – of which 3,000 are foreigners. In fact some commentators have said that these refugees camps are actually creating the next generation of Jihadists, as sad as it is. So just like Al Qaeda before them, their terrorist cells do not get obliterated but remain dormant only to grow if we let down our guard. Paradoxically, as the strength of these extremist groups weakens in the Middle East, it will strengthen in our region.   

Of the 41,000 foreign fighters and sympathisers reported to have travelled to the Middle East from the world over to join ISIS, an estimated 1,000 people came from Southeast Asia, some who have returned to this region to continue ISIS work. We must expect more to do so and remember that they return here with skills in bomb-making and conducting terrorist attacks, as well as with networks with other global jihadists.

The SAF therefore cannot afford to let down its guard. In fact, we must do more and have been doing more working with ASEAN members and other countries to step up intelligence-sharing platforms and counter-terrorism capabilities with the SAF. 

Extending a Hand to Our Friends

For the second group of recipients, you would remember that in September last year, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Central Sulawesi and triggered a tsunami. Homes and lives in that region were lost. When it struck, I called my counterpart, Indonesian Minister of Defence General (Rtd) Ryamizard Ryacudu and offered our assistance. He accepted it and our C-130 aircraft flew there in short order to deliver medical supplies, tents, meals, bottled water for the many thousands of Indonesians affected and suffering. We continued our HADR efforts for two months till late November, longer than most other countries. This reflected the trust and good working relationship between the SAF and the Indonesian National Armed Forces and other local Indonesian agencies.

The SAF contingent was led by MAJ Chai Shaoqing who was the mission commander and pilot. The group there coordinated our supplies that flew to Indonesia and the relocation of displaced persons out of the affected Palu area. They brought them to safer locations such as Balikpapan and the team worked with flight engineers – there were flight engineers on the team like ME4 Brian Rezel – to make sure that our C-130s were able to fly many sorties to fulfil their HADR missions. 

These two deployments are among many that we have conducted. Our deployments to the various peace and security operations, both in the region and beyond, speak of the increasing inter-connectedness in the world we live in today, where instability or humanitarian disasters in one part of the world have far-reaching implications for another part. Singapore and the SAF will therefore continue to do what we can  as a friend that our partners and neighbours can depend on in times of need, and as a responsible member of the international community.

Closing

To the 95 recipients of the Overseas Service Medal today, we recognise and thank you for your individual contributions and sacrifices. Wear these medals with pride and satisfaction for achieving your missions and knowing that you have given your best in challenging circumstances.

Thank you very much.

More Resources

SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions to Counter-ISIS and Disaster Relief Operations