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SMS Maliki: ACCORD Has Made An Impact with Its Proposals
23 July 2016
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Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki addressing the guests at the ACCORD Appreciation and Appointment Function held in the National Stadium.
Chairman of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman commended the Council for the work it had done over the past two years and for having “made an impact”. He was speaking at the ACCORD Appreciation and Appointment Function he hosted today at the National Stadium. Underscoring the importance of ACCORD’s role, he said, “We are strong only because Singaporeans believe that Singapore is worth defending, and that everyone has a part to play in building a strong defence. ACCORD is important to Singapore’s defence because of the vital role all of you play in engaging Singaporeans and helping them to understand and believe in this.”
Since the restructuring of ACCORD in 2014 and the submission of its proposals to strengthen community support for national defence and National Service (NS) in February 2015, ACCORD has implemented 14 out of the 18 proposals within two years. The proposals include programmes to raise public understanding of the need for defence and NS, as well as initiatives to recognise societal support for defence and NS. Examples include the implementation of fitness programmes in post-secondary education institutions to help pre-enlistees improve their physical fitness before NS, sharing sessions to allow groups like women, new citizens and permanent residents better understand defence and NS, as well as a revamped Total Defence Awards to recognise a broader spectrum of NS advocates.
Dr Maliki also presented letters of appreciation and appointment at the function to thank the members who are stepping down and appoint new members of ACCORD and its three Councils. Thirty-seven new members will take up their appointments in ACCORD and its Councils from 25 August 2016, while 34 current members will step down on 24 August 2016.
Dr Maliki presenting the letter of appointment to Ms Claire Chiang, a re-appointed member of the ACCORD Main Council and Co-Chairperson of the ACCORD Family and Community Council.
Dr Maliki presenting the letter of appreciation to Dr Lim Suet Wun, an outgoing member of the ACCORD Main Council.
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