Keynote Address by DPM at the 2009 SAFOS Award Presentation Ceremony

Introduction

SAF Overseas Scholarship recipients, Parents, Principals, Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening to all of you.

The past year has been a difficult one. The financial crisis brought about a sharp economic downturn. Every sector in Singapore was affected. The H1N1 influenza posed another challenge, threatening the health of Singaporeans and further impacting the economy.

We were able to meet these dire challenges with confidence. In good years we had put aside resources in preparation for difficult years. By learning from past experiences, we had made ourselves more ready to face future challenges. Hence, when the economy went into a sharp downturn, we had the confidence that we had the ability, and the resources to implement the correct policies to weather the downturn and emerge stronger. Over the years, our reserves have also helped to ensure financial stability and confidence in the Singapore dollar.

When terrorism rears its head, or when pandemics threaten, we are prepared and ready. We may not be able to completely prevent a terrorist attack or a pandemic arriving on our shores. But we know that we have deep reserves of strength and resilience, and social and community cohesion built up over the years, that will see us through.Similarly, our steady investment in the SAF over many years allows us to look to the future with confidence because the deep reservoir of capability in the SAF enables us to deter and defeat any threat to our independence or sovereignty that may arise.

The Need for Capable and Committed Leadership in the SAFWhen Singapore gained its independence in 1965, our leaders understood that security was the bedrock of survival, and the foundation of a successful and prosperous Singapore. They recognised that a strong and credible SAF was necessary to allow us to pursue our national interests without fear of foreign interference or intimidation.

The capability in the SAF resides in the motivation and commitment of our National Servicemen and regulars, the expertise and knowledge of our engineers and scientists, the capability of our equipment and systems, and the leadership of our commanders. Each of these components is needed to ensure a strong defence. Of these, a dynamic, vigorous and able leadership is key to ensuring that the SAF stays ahead.

The SAF Overseas Scholarship, which is second only to the President's Scholarship, was started by then Minister for Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee 39 years ago in 1971. Every year we select some of the most able that Singapore has to offer, and award them the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship - to provide the core of the SAF's leadership in the future. Today, we recognise six outstanding young Singaporeans who have made the commitment to join the distinguished ranks of SAF Overseas Scholars to serve the SAF and the country.

Confidence in the SAF rests on it having the best leadership, so that the SAF will be well led, well trained, equipped with modern and superior equipment, ready to respond to all contingencies. Every able-bodied Singaporean male is enlisted for National Service. Ultimately, should the SAF ever be called to battle, Singaporeans want to know that the commanders leading our servicemen are the most capable and committed, and will lead our men to victory in battle. There are no second chances.

New Challenges for a New Generation of LeadersEarlier batches of SAF scholars helped to build the SAF of today. New challenges await a new generation of leaders in the SAF. In an ever more interconnected world, the spectrum of threats we face will be wider and even more complex, going beyond the conventional threats to include terrorism, piracy, natural disasters, pandemics and others that we have not yet foreseen. Instability in one part of the world has far-reaching consequences in other regions. Technology for ever more deadly weapons will become available to both state and non-state actors. These could threaten us from beyond the horizon, or assist a lone suicide bomber to evade detection. The SAF leadership of the future must be ready to face this wider and more complex spectrum of threats.

We must also be ready to play our part as a responsible member of the international community of nations. In addition to being always ready to counter any direct attacks on our homeland, the SAF also conducts operations in our region together with our neighbours, such as combined air and sea patrols in the Straits of Malacca, and major humanitarian relief missions such as in the wake of the 2004 Asian Tsunami Disaster. The SAF also participates in missions far away from home in collaboration with other nations, to forestall threats before they arrive on our shores. In the past year, the SAF has made deployments in the northern Arabian Gulf in support of reconstruction efforts in Iraq; in the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy; and in Afghanistan in support of the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction operations. Even as the SAF carries out these complex and challenging operational missions, the SAF is undergoing a transformation to the 3rd Generation fighting force. The SAF has reached a level of maturity where often it cannot find ready-made solutions elsewhere, but must develop its own to stay ahead. The main outlines of the 3rd Generation SAF can now be seen. But the 3rd Generation SAF is best understood as a transformation journey in which the SAF is ever evolving, anticipating and meeting new threats, with an open architecture which is receptive to new concepts, technology and doctrine. Hence the SAF's need for leaders of the highest quality throughout the organisation is ever more critical. We need to continue to bring on board some of the best young people who can think ahead, integrate the latest technologies to bring about new concepts of operation, and implement bold and creative plans to bring the SAF to the next level.

The SAF Overseas ScholarshipThe SAF Overseas Scholarship is the premier scheme in the SAF that aims to attract Singapore's top talents to join the SAF. We need soldier-scholars, warrior-diplomats - leaders who can envision the future, who can inspire and lead their men in battle, who understand that the price of peace is perpetual vigilance, and that the ultimate aim of war, should the need ever arise, is to win the peace.

SAF scholars are challenged with a fast paced career with the SAF. They will be sent to premier civilian as well as military institutions of education, to mature and sharpen their minds.

Success is not assured. Hard work, dedication and commitment are required. But the satisfactions are many.

They will be given heavy responsibilities at a young age. They will be rotated through command and staff positions, where they will lead men, command formations and units, and make an impact in a key national institution. SAF scholars serve not only in the SAF and MINDEF but are a national resource. Many SAF Scholars are seconded to other Ministries and Government Agencies under the Administrative Service and Management Associates' Programme. These broaden their horizons and prepare them for higher appointments in the SAF and the wider public service later in their careers.

SAF scholars are thus well-positioned to excel in their subsequent careers when they have completed their service with the SAF. Among the alumnus of the SAF Overseas Scholars, 6 have entered politics and become ministers, while many others lead the public service as either permanent secretaries, deputy secretaries, chairmen or chief executives of statutory boards. Others have risen to top management posts in the private sector. These former SAF scholars continue to contribute in many fields to Singapore.

Conclusion

A strong SAF remains the key institution that provides the stability for Singapore to develop and prosper. The SAF can be only as good as the quality of its leaders, and the SAF Overseas Scholarship raises the pinnacle of leadership in the SAF to the best that Singapore can offer. To the six new SAF Overseas Scholars, I congratulate all of you for being awarded the scholarship. You have done outstandingly well in school, and have distinguished yourselves in your officer cadet training, showing commitment to others and to Singapore. You have chosen to take up the challenge to serve the SAF and to serve the country. As you embark on the first step of this exciting and fulfilling journey, I wish you all the best in your studies, and in your subsequent career in the SAF and beyond. I look forward to your return, and to the contributions that you will make to the SAF and to Singapore, like those who have served before you.