Speech by A/P Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State for Defence, at the RECORD V Press Conference

IntroductionThe Fifth Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Police Force and Civil Defence Force to Total Defence, or RECORD V in short, was convened in March this year. With me today are the RECORD V committee members representing various key stakeholder groups. On behalf of my committee members, I am pleased to announce that we have completed our work and our report has been presented to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean. The Government is studying our recommendations and will give its response next month. BackgroundThis year marks 42 years of National Service. We have been fortunate that Singaporeans understand the need for National Service or NS in short. Our National Servicemen are committed to their duty to the nation, and their families and employers give them their support as they do so. The RECORD committee is convened once every few years to review the recognition accorded to our National Servicemen. Over the years, the Government has implemented many recommendations from the four previous RECORD committees. For example, this newly built SAFRA Jurong clubhouse that we are in today was a recommendation by the previous RECORD IV committee. Key TrendsMy committee identified five key trends that have shaped our recommendations. First, with the rising aspirations of our National Servicemen, we need to constantly review the recognition given to them to encourage them to give their best for NS. Second, commanders play an increasingly important leadership role and greater recognition should be given in appreciation of the heavier responsibilities that they shoulder. Third, we saw the need to provide more avenues for our Operationally Ready National Servicemen, or NSmen in short, to keep fit at their own time. Fourth, the greater demands of work in a globalised economy has made it more challenging for NSmen to balance their work and NS responsibilities. Finally, we wanted to continue to strengthen the camaraderie and bonds that are built-up during NS. Consultation with StakeholdersWith these key trends in mind, the committee held discussions and consultations with different stakeholder groups. Members chaired focus group discussions with NSmen, their spouses and employers, and visited an NS unit on in-camp training, or ICT in short, in June. These sessions were lively and we received many suggestions and ideas. In addition, we invited NSmen to give us their views through an email survey. Subsequently, my committee discussed and formulated our recommendations, incorporating many ideas and feedback from our consultation efforts. Let me now highlight some of the key recommendations by my committee. You should refer to the handout for the full set of recommendations. Key RecommendationsNSmen are able to contribute more to NS the longer they serve and as they gain more experience. To better recognise their contributions, we recommend more frequent and larger rank allowance increments for NSmen within the same rank during their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). In addition, given the physical demands and onerous nature of combat roles, RECORD V recommends increasing the combat allowance for those in ORNS.

Another feedback we received was that the rank allowance for NS specialists and warrant officers should reflect their duties and responsibilities. In view of the important roles they play in the SAF, the committee felt that their allowances should be increased. Today, the monthly rank allowance of a third sergeant is $630, which is only marginally higher than that of a corporal at $490 per month. To better reflect the greater role and larger responsibilities of our NS specialists and warrant officers, RECORD V recommends that their rank allowances be increased.

From our consultation sessions, we recognise that family support is important in ensuring that our NSmen remain fully committed to NS. To recognise the importance of family support, we recommend that NSmen who have performed well during their ICT be presented with vouchers that they can spend with their families in attractions such as the Singapore Discovery Centre and SAF chalets.

The physical fitness of our NSmen is another area that was extensively discussed. The focus was on how we could better encourage them to keep fit and train for IPPT, given that some may find it challenging to take time out to exercise and train amidst their busy lives. One specific recommendation is to provide better equipment at existing fitness corners in public housing estates that are more specific to training for IPPT, with clearly demarcated routes for the 2.4km run. New fitness corners should also be built where there is a need. NSmen would thus have easier access to fitness equipment and running routes near their homes, where they can train at their convenience.

Given the increasingly globalised nature of business and faster pace of work, the impact of a period of absence from work is now more significant than before. NSmen and employers have told us that allowing access to their work outside of training hours during their ICT period would help minimise disruption to their work. My committee agrees. We thus recommend that NSmen be allowed to bring their company-configured laptops and mobile devices for use outside of training hours. In addition, camp business centres should be equipped with wireless Internet access to enable NSmen to access their work using these devices. ConclusionSingapore would not have been where it is today without the security provided by our NSmen. Our recommendations serve not only to recognise the contributions of our NSmen, but also the support by his families. We also aim to better help them keep fit on their own time and to minimise disruption to their work during ICT. However, our recommendations are not meant to fully compensate for the sacrifices made by our NSmen. Rather, the recommendations are meant as simple and tangible means of expressing our nation's gratitude to them.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my committee members for their invaluable contributions to this continual effort of providing recognition to our NSmen. I am heartened by their level of commitment, enthusiasm as well as the ideas that they have contributed.

I would now like to invite members of my committee to add on to what I have highlighted earlier. Thereafter, my committee will be happy to take any questions that you may have.

Thank you.