At the Committee of Supply Debate 2013, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen announced that he would chair a Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS). The Committee had its first meeting today at the Basic Military Training Centre.

Composition

The CSNS comprises a Steering Committee of 20 members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to capture a broad spectrum of views and perspectives on NS. The members are:

1. Dr Ng Eng Hen [Chairman]
   Minister for Defence
2. Mr Chan Chun Sing
   Acting Minister for Social and Family Development
   Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
3. Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad 
   Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. Dr Amy Khor
   Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower
   Chairman, REACH
5. Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman 
   Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Defence
6. Dr Lim Wee Kiak
   Chairman, Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs
7. MG Ng Chee Meng 
   Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces
8. Mr Chan Yeng Kit
   Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence 
9. MG Ravinder Singh
   Chief of Army, Singapore Armed Forces
10. Mr Suresh Divyanathan
    Partner, Oon & Bazul LLP
11. Mr Andy Lee 
    Founder, Sengkangbabies Blog
12. Dr Bervyn Lee
    Director, Office of Student Life, Singapore Management University
13. Dr Luisa Lee
    President and Chief Executive Officer, The Farrer Park Company Pte Ltd
14. Mr Danny Lien 
    Founder and Managing Director, Amos International (S) Pte Ltd
15. Mr Allan Lim 
    Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Biofuels Pte Ltd
16. Mr Lim Jim Koon 
    Editor-in-Chief, Chinese Newspapers Division, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
17. Mr Ridzuan Bin Ismail
    Chief Engineer, Catchment & Waterways Department, PUB
18. Mr Shaun Seow
    Chief Executive Officer and Board Director, Mediacorp Pte Ltd
19. Mr Gerald Singham
    Partner, Rodyk & Davidson LLP
20. Mr Wong Wei Peng
    Founder, Canact Pte Ltd      

The Steering Committee will be supported by two Working Groups. Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing will chair the "Support for NS" Working Group, to explore how we can motivate and help National Servicemen to maximise their contributions and abilities for NS. The Working Group will also look into measures to strengthen support for NS among the wider community. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr Maliki Osman will chair the "Recognition and Benefits for National Service" Work Group to explore how to promote the recognition and appreciation of National Servicemen’s contributions.

Terms of Reference

The CSNS will recommend measures to strengthen NS as the critical institution for Singapore’s continued survival and success. A strong defence and security protects our sovereignty and way of life. The measures should further:

1. Motivate National Servicemen to give of their fullest in performing their duties;
2. Help National Serviceman balance these duties with family, career and personal commitments;
3. Strengthen support for NS from families, employers, schools, permanent residents, new citizens and the broader community; and
4. Promote recognition and appreciation of the contributions of National Servicemen.

Public Engagement

The CSNS will seek to engage Singaporeans through conversations on NS. Over the next six months, focus group discussions and town hall sessions will be organised to gather perspectives and ideas from our servicemen and from the wider public.

A Strengthen NS website (www.strengthenNS.sg) is set up as part of the overall public consultation and engagement effort. Members of the public can also use the website to participate in the public consultation and engagement effort, by submitting their ideas and feedback online or via email to strengthenNS@starnet.gov.sg. Online registration for public engagement sessions will be made available at a later date.