Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Recognition of Pioneers

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Defence whether the exemplary efforts of volunteers who joined the Singapore Volunteer Corp and People's Defence Force about the time Singapore gained its independence can be recognised and re-told as part of the SG50 celebrations in 2015.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: The Singapore Volunteer Corps, which was renamed the People's Defence Force in 1965, played an important role in the security and defence of Singapore. These volunteers served actively during both World Wars, the Malayan Emergency, Konfrontasi, and helped to train national servicemen when National Service was introduced in 1967. Many of the units in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can trace their early beginnings from these volunteers.

This year marks 50 years of Singapore's independence and the SAF. As we commemorate these significant milestones, we will be recognising and telling the stories of our servicemen and volunteers, both past and present. The stories will highlight the contributions of our pioneers, including those who joined the Singapore Volunteer Corps and the People's Defence Force. The stories will be showcased in an SAF50 commemorative book, as well as made available online via the SAF50 website. Beyond SAF50, the roles and contributions of individual pioneers will be showcased in the SG50 Pioneer Spirit Campaign by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Such stories will also be told by our Commitment to Defence (C2D) Ambassadors, when they interact with students and servicemen. These ambassadors are NSmen and members of the SAF Veterans' League who have volunteered to engage the younger generation by sharing their rich operational experiences.