Speech by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the Committee of Supply Debate 2012

 Total Defence
Dr Intan Mokhtar asked about our Total Defence efforts, especially with schools, and about the relevance of Total Defence.

Sir, we have heard from Dr Ng that the threats to our peace and security have expanded in scope and complexity. Such threats have widespread repercussions and require a multi-sector response.

Total Defence - with its five aspects of military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence - provides this multi-sector response by bringing Singaporeans together in a united and integrated approach to deal with national crises of all kinds. For example, we were able to pull through the recent economic crisis, the worst since our independence, relatively unscathed through strong cooperation between the government, employers and workers.

For Total Defence to work, everyone has to play a part. This is the message of our annual campaigns since we first launched Total Defence in 1984. The response to our campaigns so far shows that Singaporeans understand this.  For instance, Mr Jeremy Lim Hon Lee, an NUS student, said to The New Paper, "Every day is Total Defence Day, as we have to continue maintaining our strengths and enhancing our capabilities. It is the responsibility of every Singaporean to do so." Mr Lim, as some of you may know, was born with brittle bone disease. He has risen above adversity to now study at NUS and actively gives back to society - a true inspiration to all of us.

Sir, we now need to go beyond the "head" and "heart", to the "hands". MINDEF will work with other agencies that represent other components of Total Defence to encourage Singaporeans to build up and keep up-to-date skills for Total Defence. For instance, we will continue to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and other partners involved in Civil Defence like the People's Association and its grassroots movement to ensure that Singaporeans know what to do in case of any emergencies.

The Total Defence campaign this year also reminds us that Total Defence is an effort that requires all Singaporeans of every generation to play a part. Carrying the theme "Total Defence - It's My Turn", the campaign centres on getting Singaporeans to take action in our own ways to strengthen Total Defence, including doing our part to help fellow Singaporeans by being involved in community work and at the same time strengthening our spirit of volunteerism and active citizenry. And we heard from Dr Intan how impressed she was with the students who came up with the theme song for this year's campaign.

Indeed, when Singaporeans reach out and help fellow Singaporeans, we are strengthening our Social Defence. A key component of this year's campaign is thus a series of ground-initiated community projects that see Singaporeans from all walks of life volunteering to do something for the community. For instance, local restaurateur Willin Low organised a three-course Chinese New Year lunch for elderly residents during the festive period, while Ngee Ann Polytechnic Film & Media Studies student Mr Chong Yu Lun organised a music video production workshop for youths especially those who lack opportunities - to equip them with the skills to express themselves creatively.

Sir, for Total Defence Day this year, the SAF also partnered with four schools - ITE College West, Raffles Institution, Singapore Polytechnic and Tampines Junior College - to jointly organise the Total Defence Day event held at these schools. Total Defence Day is one of the four core National Education events commemorated by schools every year. With this collaboration, this year's event, which showcased different aspects of Total Defence including a CPR training workshop, reached out to more than 15,000 students, sending the message that you are never too young to be involved in Total Defence.

We agree with Dr Intan, and have planned for more of such school centred events and activities to be rolled out. MINDEF will continue to work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to explore how Total Defence can be better integrated with National Education in schools.