Speech by Minister of State for Defence and President, Safra, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee at Media Briefing for IPPT-In-Your-Community Project

Ladies and gentlemen,Members of the media,

Good morning.

This morning's site walk-about and the facilities that we will be seeing are part of the IPPT-In-Your-Community Project; it is one of the 18 recommendations from RECORD V that are put forth to recognise the sacrifices and contributions of our National Servicemen (NSmen).

National Service is a duty. Any award given is to recognise the contributions of our NSmen towards the country's defence.

Over the years, the Government has been recognising the contributions of NSmen in different ways. The series of RECORD initiatives recognise their efforts and sacrifices.

Some of these initiatives are to help NSmen better balance their NS obligations with their civilian commitments. Today, I am happy to announce the launch of Phase Two of the IPPT-In-Your-Community Project. In a year's time, there will be at least 50 more such fitness centres equipped with IPPT training facilities in different housing estates. I am also happy to learn earlier this week that HDB had confirmed that they are looking at incorporating a standard set of IPPT training stations into new neighbourhood parks.

Another RECORD V initiative is the Enhanced Business Centres which we are installing in 2 SAF Camps to allow NSmen to have enhanced access to their work outside the NS training hours.

We have installed three such Centres so far, and another 10 to 20 more will be installed in Phase Two of the project commencing in next workyear.

We also have tax relief and growth dividends given out as recognition for those who have completed serving NS, as well as those who are currently serving. At the same time, we continue to invest in the SAFRA clubs and the NSRCC, which serve all NSmen, past and present. For example, the SAFRA Jurong club, which started operations in May 2009, cost $43 million to develop.

More recently, we have introduced the National Service Recognition Award (NSRA).We have received feedback on the NSRA from active NSmen, as well as those who had completed serving NS. MINDEF would like to thank all who have given us feedback.

As you can see, although different initiatives might have benefitted different groups of those serving NS, all NSmen have been recognised in one way or another from these various initiatives implemented over the years.

At the end of the day, the most important recognition and affirmation for NSmen come from their families and fellow Singaporeans - the ones whom NSmen protect. We held the most recent BMT passing out parade at the floating platform at Marina Bay, and I was heartened to see many members of the public come forth to support their sons,brothers and friends. Similarly, many families and friends of servicemen attend the graduating and commissioning ceremonies at the Specialist Cadet School and SAFTI Military Institute. I am sure such support and affirmation mean a lot to our NSmen, and remind them of the very reason for national service - to defend what matters most to everyone of us - Our Singapore, Our Home.

Finally, I would like to thank the various agencies involved, including HDB and the respective Town Councils, for their effort and support.

Thank you.