Speech by Minister For Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the SAF Overseas Service Medal (OSM) Presentation Ceremony, Mindef Auditorium, 21 November 2016

Chief of Defence Force,
Service Chiefs,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen

On this evening, I am delighted to join all of you to recognise the contributions of our SAF men and women who were deployed in two overseas operations – namely the multinational coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the international counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. To our servicemen and women, thank you for the mission accomplished and a job well done. Each of you, through your professional bearing in these tasks, continues to fly high the flag of Singapore.

Responding to Transnational Security Challenges

The SAF continues to be active in its contributions to international security efforts. In the last decade alone, the SAF has participated in over 25 overseas missions, deployed against challenges which threaten our own stability and peace here and in HADR operations to help our neighbours.    

Let me focus on our counter-terror efforts first. We knew quite soon after the 9/11 attack conducted by Al-Qaeda, that this war against terror would be a long-term one. If you compare it with communism which fundamentally was a contest of ideology to decide how humans should govern social and economic systems. That contest was bitter and lives were lost on both sides and even brought countries close to calamity but after 50 years when it became clear that communism as a state system could not deliver what it had promised, the denouement began, marked vividly by the fall of the Berlin wall and then the lifting of the bamboo curtain as China joined the global trade and financial systems of the “free world”. Unlike communism, religious extremism unfortunately is much more complex. Jihadi extremist leaders invoke the call of the divine, they distort Islam and its true values. But even though their perverted ideology has been rejected wholesale by mainstream and respected religious clerics, it is still a powerful force with international appeal. How else can one explain the tens of thousands from disparate countries around the world who make their way to Iraq and Syria to fight for a cause, even one that is misguided and futile. So you read in the newspapers, many people from many countries, whether it is the western hemisphere, whether it is in our part of the world, all social economic groups, giving up their lives, moving towards Iraq and Syria. It is a misguided and futile ideology fuelled by perversions of Islam, mistruths and incitement to hate and blame others for societal ills. Nevertheless, it still attracts people to go there. But when we look at communism, it took 50 years to pass from a revolutionary force that wanted to change the way of life for the non-communist world. The current fight is against those who use religion to mobilise followers to form an Islamic Caliphate using criminal means of intimidation, brutality and fear. What they want to do and what they want to achieve has nothing to do with genuine Islam, what Islam preaches and what Islamic scholars have pointed out and condemned them for their actions. Nevertheless, the threat of this extremist terrorism may last as long, if not longer than the conflict with communism which was fundamentally atheistic. 
 
So the Government was quite clear from the outset that unless radicalisation from extremist terrorism was neutralised at its source, Singapore would be under threat because extremists can export their radicalisation efforts – even radicalisation has become globalised. Which is why, for six years from 2007, you will remember the SAF was deployed in Afghanistan to support the counter-terrorism effort against Al-Qaeda. We should remember that Al-Qaeda funded radicals at that time to bomb seven targets in Singapore, and when we arrested their Jemaah Islamiyah cell and hardened our defences, they shifted their sights and bombed Bali instead. Working closely with coalition partners, our servicemen helped to train the local artillery forces in Afghanistan, and supported them with our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Our efforts there helped to prevent extremists in Afghanistan from exporting terrorism to the rest of the world, including our region. So as we did in Afghanistan, the SAF is now playing its part in the multinational coalition to counter ISIS. Since we first began in January 2015, the SAF has deployed Intelligence Fusion Officers and Imagery Analysis Teams to provide intelligence and analysis support to the HQ Combined Joint Task Force. Such support is vital for monitoring ISIS activities and targeting their strongholds in Iraq and Syria. We also deployed an air-to-air refuelling aircraft that performed refuelling operations for the coalition aircraft, enabling them to stay in the air longer to perform their missions. Next year, the SAF will deploy a medical support team to Iraq. This will better enable the coalition to provide medical services to members of the forces as well as to the local Iraqi population. By deploying our efforts effectively and intelligently, the SAF has been able to contribute in niche areas, and our international partners have found our contributions to be very useful. There is high praise for our efforts, and this has been achieved because of your hard work. 

These combined efforts of militaries from many countries including Singapore are impactful. Compared to January 2015, the footprint of ISIS-occupied territories in Iraq and Syria has been reduced by over a quarter. Just recently, Nimrud was wrested from their control and operations to reclaim Mosul and Raqqa are underway. But I have to warn all of us, paradoxically in the short term, even as ISIS is weakened there, the terrorism threat here will rise and this reason is a simple one. Radicalised individuals returning from Iraq and Syria have linked up with other extremist cells in the region – like the Jemaah Islamiyah offshoot, Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid, and Abu Sayyaf – and these networks have pledged to form a regional Caliphate here loyal to ISIS. Some of these radicals will return to their home countries here and link up with networks. In August this year, many of you would know that the Indonesian police arrested a cell in Batam, headed by Gigih Rahmat Dewa, who had planned to fire a rocket into Marina Bay and the return of radical fighters to our region will fuel more of such plots. The Malaysian authorities up north have arrested over 200 ISIS supporters, including at least 13 Malaysian Armed Forces personnel. In Singapore, there are presently 17 persons in detention, 2 on Suspension Direction, and 25 others on Restriction Orders for terrorism-related activities. This is a clear and present danger.

Therefore, we must keep our guard up in this region. We recognise that the war is ultimately an ideological one for the hearts and minds. We need to unite against misguided teachings, strengthen community cohesion, and establish robust networks of trust among the different races and religions. And here I am glad to say that we have invaluable community groups helping us in this cause, such as MUIS, PERGAS and other Inter-Agency Aftercare Groups. But as individuals, we need to play a part, which is why the SGSecure Movement launched in September is so important, to prepare us individually and as a people, to respond effectively. 

Today as you receive your awards, for those of you who contributed to this effort, take heart that your contributions make a difference in the fight against extremist terrorism. What you did there protects people here at home.

Combating Maritime Piracy

I would also now like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our men and women who contributed to the international counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, which is a main maritime route between Europe and Asia. Since 2009, we have deployed 6 Task Groups, 4 Command Teams and approximately 1,400 SAF sailors, soldiers and airmen under the ambit of the multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.

In March 2016, the RSN assumed command of the CTF 151 for the fourth time, led by COL Cheong Kwok Chien. Our contributions have led to a significant reduction of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden. It was 37 such attacks in 2011, 4 in 2015 and so far this year, there are no successful pirate attacks. So our efforts there are making a big difference. Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces, Vice-Admiral Kevin Donegan praised COL Cheong and his team for their “exceptional performance”.

Our People are Professional and Operationally Ready
     
I want to also make special mention of three operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) who had volunteered to participate in the international counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. MAJ(NS) Terence Quek Chun Hou, LTC(NS) Ortega Mark Benjamin, and MAJ(NS) Ting Chi-Yen put aside their full-time jobs and volunteered for this mission. So whether against extremists or pirates, whether as Regulars or NSmen, I applaud all our servicemen and women for your exemplary commitment to our nation’s defence, and for the successful completion of your deployments. 

Conclusion

I am also very glad to see many of your families with us today. To cherished family members of our SAF men and women, let me take this opportunity to convey my deepest appreciation to you for supporting your spouses and family members. And I know that your support helped them and allowed them to focus on their missions, to give them peace of mind knowing that you were taking care of things and children and matters at home. 

To all 116 recipients of the Overseas Service Medal, this medal represents the nation’s recognition of your professionalism, dedication and commitment to the peace and security of Singapore. May you continue to fly our nation’s flag high. 

Congratulations once again and job well done to all of you. Thank you.