Speech by Second Minister For Defence Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony on 8 June 2015 in MINDEF HQ

Service Chiefs,
Distinguished Guests,
Families and Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.

It is indeed my privilege to be here this afternoon at this ceremony, to honour the men and women who served in the Singapore Armed Forces' flood relief efforts in Malaysia and in the search operations of Air Asia flight QZ8501. I would like to thank the award recipients of course, but most of all, I would like to thank the family members, spouses, parents and children. Because it is your unwavering support during deployment and indeed across many years that have allowed our men and women to do what they need to do with a peace of mind, fully assured that they have your full support behind them.

The ceremony today is also a stark reminder that Singapore is not immune to being affected directly by such tragedies, and so we grief together with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, their children, the teachers, the guides in the recent earthquake in Sabah. This is something that has hit Singaporeans of all ages very, very hard because it is a significant number of lives that we have lost in this recent tragedy and we want to remember the families in particular who are grieving during this difficult time and are coming to grisps with the certain loss that they have faced. As a nation during this day of remembrance, we are fully reminded that such tragedies can hit us at any time.

For the flood relief operations in Malaysia and the search for Air Asia flight QZ8501, I know that it came at the end of last year and so many of you could not celebrate the New Year with your families or be with your kids on their first day of the new school term. While the rest of Singapore was enjoying the year-end festivities, preparing to welcome 2015, you answered the call of duty at very short notice and were serving in foreign lands and seas, far away from home and loved ones.  

When the two crises happened, our men and women mounted two operations simultaneously, swiftly and decisively, to do what was needed. And so you are the reason why the SAF is always ready when called upon - whether it is to respond to security threats or to provide relief and assistance when disaster strikes.

Indeed, it is times like these that remind us of what we are capable of and the values that the SAF stands for - duty, honour and country.

AIR ASIA QZ8501

On 28 December 2014, around 7.30 am, Air Asia Flight QZ 8501 was reported missing with 162 people on board. That same afternoon, our first C-130 took off and was the first foreign aircraft on scene in the Java Sea to assist in the search-and-locate efforts. But that was only the first step.

Over the next 22 days, the SAF deployed five ships, four aircraft and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle team to assist in the search-and-locate operation. Out at sea, our people faced challenging conditions. The waves were high, as much as four metres at times, and visibility was poor. It was the tough with rough working conditions and very long working hours, and I think it tested the mettle and competencies of our crew. That they surmounted these challenges and accomplished the mission is proof not only of their strength of character but of their professionalism.

When the MV Swift Rescue located the fuselage of the aircraft, on 14 January, this provided closure to many families of the victims, and helped find answers to what caused this tragic accident.  

Today, we are recognising the 42 crew members of the MV Swift Rescue as they had been deployed for the longest period. But I would also like to put on record my sincere appreciation to the more than 400 servicemen and women involved in the entire operation, of which 56 were full-time National Servicemen. And behind the scenes back here in Singapore was also a team of ops planners, analysts and logisticians, working tirelessly to support our men and women who were deployed. All of you gave your fullest effort and made a difference to the outcome of this mission. The teamwork, the dedication exemplify how the SAF works.

KELANTAN FLOOD RELIEF

On that very same day, 28 December 2014, when the SAF first responded to the Air Asia incident, Malaysia requested Singapore's water purification capabilities to assist in the flood relief efforts in Kelantan. They experienced massive flooding; - the worst in probably more than a decade at the very least that– had struck Peninsular Malaysia, and Kelantan was the hardest-hit. So we responded.

An SAF-led Task Force, comprising 34 SAF personnel, four Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel and one PUB chemist, was ready to deploy within 12 hours of activation.

When our C-130s flew over the flood-hit areas, all our people could see were the rooftops of submerged houses and buildings. One quarter of a million people, 250,000 people, young, old, and the sick, had to be evacuated. Because the floods were so serious, basic services like electricity and water were cut off in many areas. The local water supply had been contaminated by the flood, and the risk of waterborne diseases was rising by the day. Access to clean water was a crucial priority.

Our men had to work in austere conditions on the ground. There was little or no electricity, and most of the mobile and telephone services were down. Despite these limitations, the Task Force was able to purify and distribute clean drinking water within 24 hours of setting up, and working closely with their counterparts from the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Over the next 2 weeks, the team delivered over 135,000 litres of clean drinking water, purified from the river water that was heavily contaminated with mud, debris and sediments. And so as an example, what it amounted to was really, assuming that if one person requires two litres of water a day, the SAF contingent provided enough water for almost 10,000 people for a week. It made a very tangible and significant difference. And so members of this Task Force can take real pride in the fact that we have made a significant contribution to elevate the plight of the flood victims.

CONCLUSION

In the SAF's fifty-year history, we have conducted 33 humanitarian assistance and disaster relief or HADR operations. 20 of them were in the last ten years alone. So, in the first 50 years, 33 operations of which 20 were in the last ten years. Scientists believe that extreme weather and climatic conditions will continue, if not escalate, which means more frequent and devastating disasters, including in areas like Sabah, that we thought was immune or would not be affected by such disasters. And so in an inter-connected world, the SAF, as a responsible member of the global community, has an important role to play in HADR operations to assist affected countries.

Time and again, the SAF is called upon because it has the capabilities and wherewithal to respond when disaster strikes. The ability of the SAF to respond quickly and effectively each time – and last December, to launch two simultaneous operations - is testament to the readiness and abilities of our men and women.

To those receiving the Medal today, I am sure your service is deeply appreciated by the flood victims as well as the families of the victims of QZ8501. Singaporeans are also very proud of our servicemen and women. Mr Adrian Villanueva wrote in to The Straits Times, and I quote parts of his letter, "The SAF responded quickly in assisting the Indonesian authorities in the search for Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501. This clearly shows Singapore's willingness to help its neighbours during disasters. Kudos to the SAF for not only protecting our country from external threats, but also rendering humanitarian assistance to others in times of crisis."

This year, as we celebrate the 50th year of our nation's independence as well as the formation of the SAF, we can take heart in how the SAF has been a cornerstone of the Singapore story - giving strength to our nation and assisting our friends when needed.  

So, ladies and gentlemen and especially to the award recipients here today, thank you very much. Keep it up. And I wish you a pleasant evening ahead.

More Resources

• 75 SAF Personnel Recognised for Contributions to Overseas Deployments