Keynote Address by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad at the Total Defence Convention 2024

INTRODUCTION

Good morning everyone,

Firstly, our distinguished speakers and guests, international and local, and all our TD partners and friends, thank you very much for joining us on this momentous occasion. Today, we are having our Total Defence Convention and it is really a significant milestone to mark 40 years of Total Defence in Singapore.

TOTAL DEFENCE: GUIDING US THROUGH CRISES

For the past 40 years, Total Defence has been our strategy to overcome the threats that we faced as a nation. This has worked well for Singapore. Total Defence has helped us to keep Singaporeans united and resilient, guiding us through the ever-evolving crises through the years.

The unprecedented SARS and COVID-19 pandemics have tested Singapore's resilience, highlighting the importance of a whole-of-society response.

We saw how healthcare workers worked tirelessly and remained steadfast to lead us in the battle against these crises.

Even as the pandemics thrusted Singapore into periods of economic adversity, our businesses have shown resilience by innovating and persevering; and our workers have also shown that with their livelihoods affected, they reacted to upskill themselves to adapt.

Communities rallied together, they looked out for one another, and there were ground up efforts to combat online misinformation about the pandemic, preventing panic and distrust from happening.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also played a part in supporting national efforts during the pandemic.  In the recent battle against COVID-19, personnel from the SAF, including our NSFs, manned hotlines to provide information to patients who were recovering at home. SAF personnel also participated in the setting up of migrant worker dormitories and facilities to curb the virus spread. They helped to drive contact tracing efforts and helped pack supplies like face masks for distribution to households in need.

Beyond domestic issues, Singapore's unity may also be tested by matters that we are not directly involved with. This is because the geopolitical environment is and will remain uncertain and volatile. Combined with the borderless nature of the Internet, geopolitical issues have the potential to draw others not directly involved into the conflict, whether it is intended or not.

The recent conflicts illustrate on how information warfare had exploited fault-lines to fracture social cohesion and galvanised public opinion. The dissemination of striking images from Gaza on social media has helped shaped perceptions and media narratives. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we have also seen how the use of misinformation and hostile information campaigns can sow distrust and create divisions with nations and communities. So, these examples underscore the need to address not just military threats, but also the strategic misinformation campaigns. If a geographically distant campaign or conflict can stir up such strong emotions and opinions among Singaporeans, how much more if there was one much closer to home?

NEED FOR TOTAL DEFENCE TO EVOLVE TO REMAIN RELEVANT

These challenges make it evident that Total Defence cannot be a static concept. Rather, it must adapt to new challenges and threats. Our strategies for preparedness must therefore evolve in tandem, so that Singapore stands ready to respond. For instance, in 2019, we introduced Digital Defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence, and this is to guard against threats from the digital domain.

SHORING SUPPORT FROM TOTAL DEFENCE PARTNERS AND PRACTITIONERS

Even as Total Defence evolves, its success is only made possible with every Singaporean doing their part. On this, I would like to express my gratitude for the widespread support we have received. From schools, to businesses, to grassroots and community efforts – where we see the diversity of those who have contributed. This is testament to Total Defence being a whole-of-society effort where everyone has a stake in.

One inspiring example is the launch of the Brickland Total Defence Food Security Exercise. This was a follow up from the Total Defence Table-Top Exercise in Brickland back in February 2023 where Brickland Grassroots Organisation had stepped up to lead the exercise and had successfully rallied the support of 286 volunteers from businesses, community and grassroots leaders, residents and students.

By playing to everyone's strengths, the team developed a robust community contingency plan in response to a simulated food supply disruption. This plan involved activating community facilities to distribute food to beneficiaries and collaborating with a supply chain network to collect food items with longer shelf lives.

40 YEARS OF TOTAL DEFENCE

Back in February, we conducted an inaugural Total Defence exercise, named Exercise SG Ready. This was an immersive experience designed to simulate various disruptions, ranging from water and electricity shortages to cyber disruptions, across Singapore. More than 800 organisations participated in the exercise. We actually anticipated for about 500 to 600 organisations, but it turned out that the response was really good, and I am really happy to see how Singaporeans, organisations and the community have come forward to support Total Defence 40 in a very, very big way.

Through Exercise SG Ready, many Singaporeans had first-hand encounters with the challenges that may arise during times of crisis. It also showed us that we must never take our way of life for granted. In particular, younger participants felt that this was a vivid reminder to stay prepared. In fact, for many of our younger participants, when they think of Total Defence, they think of electricity and water shortages. This is especially since their generation, unlike previous ones, would not have experienced similar hardships or disruptions. We are lucky that we have had a long period of peace and prosperity here in Singapore.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank our Total Defence Partners for your strong support for Exercise SG Ready. As part of this nationwide exercise, one of our partners, Sentosa Development Corporation, held simulated water, power, food disruption activities and evacuation drills involving 800 staff members.

In addition, Sentosa Development Corporation also took the initiative to encourage businesses within Sentosa island to participate in the exercise.  This resulted in a total of 19 additional businesses such as hotels, F&B outlets and attractions in Sentosa, taking part and carrying out simulated disruption activities.

Through the initiative and support of Sentosa Development Corporation, more people participated in Exercise SG Ready and learnt to be better prepared for disruption. Sofitel Singapore Resort & Spa, which was one of the participating hotels, also reported that the exercise helped them to better prepared to deal with water and civil emergencies.

Beyond Exercise SG Ready, we have also launched the Total Defence Exhibition. Through interactive displays and exhibits, we will showcase how Singaporeans have safeguarded our way of life, to inspire others to do their part to keep Singapore strong and prepared for any emergency.

HIGHLIGHTS OF TOTAL DEFENCE CONVENTION

Another event to commemorate 40 years of Total Defence is today's convention.

This being the very first time we are bringing partners and practitioners from Singapore and abroad, and the theme is important for setting the context and starting us off on the right direction and the right note. As such, the theme of today's convention is "Resilience and Readiness in Crises and Disruptions". This is to remind us that Total Defence is not just about crisis response. It is about building resilience and readiness consistently, which is the point of today's convention. The resilience and readiness we seek cannot be mustered the instant a crisis happens. It must be cultivated over time, even as we enjoy peace and stability here in Singapore.

We have lined up a list of distinguished speakers who will inspire you with their perspectives and ideas during the plenary sessions. In line with the theme, we have speakers from various sectors in Singapore to shed light on how to remain resilient and ready on different fronts. We also have speakers from Germany, New Zealand and Sweden, all of whom can give us insight into how these countries stay prepared for challenges in an increasingly volatile environment.

We also have the pleasure of Mr Lim Siong Guan joining us for a fireside chat later on today. Four decades ago, Mr Lim, as then Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, introduced Total Defence to Singapore. He can therefore share insight on how Total Defence has evolved from his view and how we can enhance Total Defence to ensure that it remains relevant in today's climate.

You will also have the opportunity to complement your learning with hands-on workshops to develop capabilities. We have activities ranging from building mental resilience to understanding misinformation and foreign interference.

I would also like to encourage you to visit the Total Defence Exhibition and booths to view the exhibits featuring ground up initiatives from the Total Defence Sandbox. For example, the Total Defence @Singverse booth by software company Finute will allow you to learn more about the six pillars of Total Defence by engaging with interactive elements in the digital world of Roblox.

CLOSING REMARKS

In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and practitioners for your unwavering support for Total Defence, and let us continue to uphold the values of Total Defence, ensuring the security and prosperity of our nation for generations to come.

I wish all of you a fruitful Total Defence Convention ahead. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

More Resources

Inaugural Total Defence Convention Brings Together Partners to Strengthen Resilience in Crises and Disruptions