President Hosts Reception in Recognition of MINDEF and SAF Personnel

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng (fourth from left), interacting with NSF, Regulars and NSmen at the garden reception held at Istana this evening. From left: Lieutenant Colonel Lim Huay Wen, 2nd Warrant Officer Wong Chiew Leong, Private Muhammad Asri Bin Bakar, Corporal (NS) Om Ajay Amar S/O Hari, Lieutenant (NS) Mark Hee and Military Expert 1 Samuel Chin.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam hosted more than 700 personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to a garden reception at the Istana this evening. Held since 1992, the annual reception serves to recognise the valuable contributions and commitment of MINDEF and SAF personnel towards the defence of Singapore.

During the reception, President Tan spoke with Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), Regular servicemen and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from the SAF. They shared with him their experiences and contributions towards Singapore's peace and security over the past year, which ranged from participation in local exercises and overseas deployments, to balancing National Service (NS) duties with personal commitments. Formation NSman of the Year award winner Corporal (NS) Om Ajay Amar S/O Hari, a combat technician from 194 Squadron of the Republic of Singapore Navy, said: "Juggling NS, work and family commitments is not easy, but I made it a point to do so because our duty to serve extends beyond the two years of NS. I am happy that my NS contributions are being recognised on this occasion."

Guests present at the reception included Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman. Members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs and the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence also attended the reception.

President Tan thanking the SAF NSmen of the Year award winners for their contributions to national defence over the past year.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, accompanied by Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, sharing a light moment with personnel from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing interacting with invited guests at the annual garden reception.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, accompanied by Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Mr Chan Yeng Kit, speaking with servicemen at the reception.