MINDEF pays tribute to Minister of State for Defence A/Prof Koo Tsai Kee

Statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean:

On behalf of MINDEF and the SAF, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to A/Prof Koo Tsai Kee who has served in the Ministry of Defence for 10 years, first as the Senior Parliamentary Secretary from Nov 2001 and then as Minister of State from May 2006. Tsai Kee is an affable and down-to-earth person who gets along well with the men and women of the SAF. When visiting servicemen during overseas exercises, Tsai Kee is always ready with a word of encouragement to rally the troops. Tsai Kee worked tirelessly to strengthen commitment to defence. He showed utmost dedication in his engagement of National Servicemen, their employers and families. In 2009, he spearheaded the Fifth Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready NSmen to Total Defence or RECORD V. This initiated many significant recommendations that have been very well received by NSmen. Under Tsai Kee's leadership since 2006, SAFRA opened its fifth clubhouse at Jurong, and started the redevelopment of its Toa Payoh clubhouse. His efforts have allowed SAFRA to better reach out to our NSmen across Singapore. Tsai Kee also reached out to various community stakeholders such as parents and families, employers and business associations, and new citizens doing NS, to strengthen their commitment and support for defence.

I would like express my heartfelt appreciation to Tsai Kee for his many years of sterling service and contributions to the Ministry of Defence and Singapore.