Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the National Day Parade 2016 Appreciation Dinner

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentleman,

A very good evening.

I am sure that video brings back many fond memories even though it wasn't very long ago. But National Day Parade (NDP) is a journey. I came to MINDEF in 2005 and have lost count of how many NDPs I have seen. For each NDP, I usually see it four, five, six times. So when people ask me how many NDPs I have seen, I usually pause for a while before answering. This one is no different. 10 years ago, you remember the old Kallang Stadium, which for many of us held memories of the old NDP and where we held many NDPs at the Kallang Stadium. It was traditionally the site where we held most of our NDPs. It was closed because we were going to build this new National Stadium that we now have. For some, the news of Kallang Stadium being closed was just news. For the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), they shivered a bit because they had to ask "then where do we hold the next National Day Parade?" Well, some of you remember we had it at the Padang. But the Padang has some limitations. Additionally, there was also news that the Padang would be closed for a period because they were renovating City Hall and the old Supreme Court. That was what "gave birth" to the floating platform at Marina Bay.

The challenge was to the SAF to go and find a site. They decided and built a floating platform. I am very proud of the engineers. This floating platform when they first built it, it had to float up and down with the tide. Marina Bay was actually opened before the Marina Barrage was built. But anyhow, we built that for the 10 or so years, when the National Stadium would be built. I am reminding you because people can forget. Some people may actually think National Parade is traditionally held at the floating platform. It is only now and then that we go to the National Stadium. Of course that is not true. After 10 years, this interval, as Chairman Executive Committee NDP 2016 Brigadier-General Kenneth Liow, said, "We begin a new chapter!" So indeed this was the first NDP in a new National Stadium. I want to thank all of you for making that possible. So I am going to do something different. I will just clap first. I am glad you are on our side because the challenges, to be frank, were great. You see it from the corporate sponsors, who support us. But for the SAF, remember, that if you were in charge to organise this year's NDP, what is in Singaporean's mind when you think of the NDP this year. Their reference is last year - the Golden Jubilee. How to top that? Planes flying and making a "50" sign. If you hold it at the National Stadium, nobody can see you. Red Lions dive into the stadium? You can. But the Chief Commando Officer will lose his job after that. So that is not possible. So no magnificent flypast and no red lions. If you bring a tank into the National Stadium, I think you have to spend half a year fixing the tracks. When there are fireworks inside this year, the first question that many people ask is "Are you sure this is safe?" You can have it outside but you can't see. Some of you saw. So you can't have all these hot favourites. New venue, no old favourites. People remember the Golden Jubilee celebrations we had last year which were magnificent. So the challenge for the organising committee is how do you put up an NDP for the first time at the stadium, completely new, such that you can rouse the strong national spirit and most of all, avoid at the end of the show people say "I think last year better la." All the months of hard work gone. I'm happy to say NDP 2016, is a success.

I am glad you are clapping because that means you believe it too. Some people who have watched many NDP shows have even said that this was the best NDP ever. They have watched it at Padang, floating platform and at the National Stadium. This is the best. I think one of the main reason why this was a success was because of your hard work, sacrifices and generous contributions. Without that, I don't think it could have been a resounding success. We thank you on behalf of all Singaporeans. We have thoroughly enjoyed this year's NDP and its festivities. Our inaugural NDP was at the new National Stadium. But if you live long enough, you know that things can turn out differently. With all these challenges, alternate scenarios could well have been the reality. Nobody would have faulted the organising committee if they decided to put up a really safe show. But it is the first year (back) and you want to execute it well. Don't be too ambitious. Right? If I put you as Organising Chairman, you have companies, many of you are in senior positions, I ask you to take the project. Never been there before. Never done before. It is like a gymnast, Simone Bowles. You decide you want to do a double flip, full layout and half-body twist. Might land on your head as it is very tough degree of difficulty. Instead, I think the organising committee continued to think big, aimed high and worked very hard – hundreds of hours of planning, practising and attention to detail. Singaporeans benefitted as a result, a record number of 275,000 spectators were able to watch the show live. This included the previews, the NE shows. Each time I saw it, visibly there were improvements. The first time I saw it, of course there were a few technical hiccups. But each time we saw it, we could tell it was coming together. No flagging of spirits, even though some rehearsals were held right in the midst of Ramadan when our Muslim brothers and sisters were fasting.Together all of you have broken new ground with your energy and bold ideas. And as a result, not only are people not saying that previous year was better, but they are saying "Oh, I have new favourites!" And that Singaporeans expect the NDP at the stadium henceforth. The Sky City for example. I had a lot of questions. How did it go up? I myself thought it was underground before. But the committee is quite clever, they turned off the lights and then they push things in, and then it's brought up. I don't think many of you people saw. How many of you saw Sky City being brought in? It was a bold idea - 3D props, projection. It took 11 months to design and construct. I think it is on record the most elaborate set of aerial props to date, because it's probably the only set of aerial props that we have. But not only big items, little touches went a long way.

To bring in the crowds, to make them feel part of the show. For example, the flag that passed up, we wanted to make sure it was dignified, yet people touched it. I could see the expression on their faces. This is my flag, I've touched it as it passes by me. The little LED wristbands that lit up and synchronised. There were some who asked "How come my wristband doesn't work when I go home?" They thought the warranty might last for a year or so. But most importantly, the show brought Singaporeans together. I would say, that is the main and only tangible aim we should aim for - old or young, able or special, of all races -- bringing us together.It was not done without considerable effort. 10,000 participants -- from as young as seven, the Unicorn rider, Minejima-Lee Kai, quite brave up there, to the most senior participant, Madam Bee Ah Leong, she's 79. She was in Act 2 and comes from the People's Association (PA). Next time we should have a sign for who's the oldest participant. But you have to work on the ground, some of you, in the air. 26 aerialists from the SAF suspended in mid-air to perform dance stunts. Some had fear of heights that they had to overcome. But all-in-all, there were moments which captured the imagination of Singaporeans, such as when the Unicorn sailed pass with Kai on top. It was an enchanting episode.There were many people who worked hard behind the scenes, just like the (parade) participants. Technical teams that manned the props and made sure everything was synchronised. Security (team), the Police worked very hard, because if you remember what happened a week before this, there was the Batam plot. People must have been thinking in their minds, or even dreaming it, rockets coming into the National Stadium. (This is) not a joke. We cleared the stadium by midnight. Shut it down (and) did bomb sweeps.

Not just the stadium, but the entire hub, we locked down the place. Then they did it without asking people to queue for six, seven hours. They made it, efficiently and professional, and didn't dampen or mar the mood. We had many props that needed technical support. The Giant Boulder, the powered lasers, the wireless system, the Spider Cams, and who can forget our cheerleaders and marshals who made a difference.The "song signing" was a special moment when we came together as one. Singaporeans spontaneously joined in to sign and sing 'Home' and 'Count on Me, Singapore'. For many, it drove home the point that we are one people, regardless of our differences. So when I say that NDP is an overwhelming success, it is more a reiteration rather than my assessment, because you too know it is. It was truly a show by Singaporeans, with Singaporeans, for Singaporeans.Some of you sitting here may be wondering "What about next year's NDP?" Many have asked where we intend to hold it. Well, we have three places right? National Stadium, floating platform and Padang. If you think about it, each site has its unique charm and fans amongst Singaporeans. Take a poll and list your favourite site now, and there won't be a uniform answer. Some people like this place, some people like the others.I started off this speech by reminding you how the floating platform was built. It was a temporary site because the National Stadium was being built. When we first held our NDP there, I had just joined the Ministry, and many of you will not remember this.

The background was not Marina Bay Sands. The background was a construction site called Marina Bay Sands. There were cranes, not the flying type, but the ones that bring concrete up and down. We were looking at a construction site. The sound system didn't work quite well because people were used to the Kallang Stadium, where you shout you expect the resonance back. This time you shout, it empties into the Marina Bay. But we improved with each show at the floating platform, so much so that for some Singaporeans, the floating platform has become their favourite because now Marina Bay Sands is beautiful. People watch from there, people watch from Fullerton. It is the only place where you can have air, land and sea. That's amazing. I don't think there's any site in this world that you can have this. After I've said so much, you know where we're going to hold it next year. I see you approve. We've decided to hold it there next year. You're the first to hear it. We've decided to hold NDP 2017 there at the floating platform not because of all I've said but because of a very important reason. We should do it there whilst it's still available. Because it was not meant to be a permanent site. I don't know what the plans that URA have, but whilst it is still there, whilst it is relatively young, we should do it.

In 2018, MINDEF and SAF would like to hold NDP again at the Stadium. But wherever the NDP is held, whether it is at this place or that place, the goal remains the same -- to celebrate together as one people, with one heart, on our nation's birthday. Celebrate and remind ourselves of the progress that we've made year after year, and to say "Majulah Singapura" together. So tonight's function is a small token to say "Thank You" to all of you for the many months of hard work. But I think as I speak to all the participants, the greatest gift for participating in the various capacities within NDP comes from the unique experience of being an NDP participant and the bonds and fond memories made. To our corporate and individual sponsors, as well as partner organisations, I want to thank you very much for your generous contributions. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all for a very successful NDP 2016. I wish all of you an enjoyable evening and look forward to your continued support for our future NDPs."