Honouring MINDEF Volunteers

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from left) interacting with volunteers at the MINDEF Volunteers' Dinner.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted a dinner this evening to recognise the contributions and commitment of about 300 volunteers serving on 41 Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) boards and committees. Dr Ng also presented certificates of appointment and reappointment to 51 volunteers at the dinner. Held annually since 1998, the dinner serves to honour volunteers for their contributions to MINDEF.

The volunteers are industry experts in the private and public sectors, and contribute in diverse areas such as medical, safety, financial, legal and National Service (NS) management. Their contributions allow MINDEF to stay updated on industry best practices and maintain high professional standards, so as to ensure that our policies and processes remain robust and credible. Through their extensive networks, the volunteers also promote the public's awareness on defence and inspire support for NS.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ng thanked the volunteers for being a steadfast source of strength to MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), contributing with their professional expertise. "You provide valuable advice on medical and healthcare policies for our servicemen, and adjudicate in legal appeals. Others have helped to enhance public commitment to defence. Your collective efforts help us to ensure higher standards and help us to benchmark against best practices elsewhere," he said. The dinner also showed appreciation to our pioneer volunteers who have served in the early years on MINDEF boards and committees. Dr Ng emphasised that our past and present volunteers play an essential role in building up a strong foundation for the SAF, and to inspire the next generation who will shape our collective future.

Also present at the dinner were Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, President of the Military Court of Appeal Justice Choo Han Teck, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Defence Force (Designate) Major-General Perry Lim, Chief of Army Brigadier-General Melvyn Ong, as well as senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF.

More Resources

• Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at MINDEF Volunteers’ Dinner

Dr Ng presenting the Certificate of Appointment to Ms Claire Chiang, Co-Chairman of the Family and Community Council of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), at the MINDEF Volunteers' Dinner.