Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the NDP2020 Appreciation Function

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

First, a very good morning. I'm very happy to join all of you in this virtual appreciation ceremony. It's held virtually, but please know that the appreciation and the respect, the admiration for all the work and all that you have done is very real. I think 2020, by all accounts, will down in our history as a unique year of global proportions, and with it, I think NDP2020 was a NDP like other before it. So, this year's speech at this Appreciation Function will also be slightly different, slightly longer, so that we don't let the crisis go to waste and miss teachable moments. If we look at NDP2020 – and that was a very nice video by NYP, thank you very much, it brought back a lot of good memories – if you look at NDP2020, I think it will be remembered for two unique aspects. First, and quite obviously, was the fact that it was held amid the global COVID-19 pandemic which started in Singapore in January. As planning for each NDP begins about nine months before the event, the first iteration – this was pre-COVID – as all of you can imagine EXCO presenting it, it envisioned our traditional format held at the Floating Platform, massive crowds, thousands of performers with the accompanying pomp and pageantry that we are used to, to celebrate this year's 55th birthday. But as the number of infections rose through January, February, and the circuit breaker, I think it became quite clear that we had to jettison all these plans and instead come up with a relatively COVID-proof way to prepare for and celebrate NDP.

NDP2020: A Test of Our Adaptability

So credit to where credit is due, and to Chief of Defence Force and the NDP2020 EXCO, chaired by Brigadier-General Frederick Choo, that they were able to respond nimbly because I said the first iteration was pre-COVID, but there were subsequent iterations also through COVID, and it came about that they realised that they had to just throw away all these plans, so not only did someone move their cheese, they just took it completely away. All their assumptions on how to hold NDP got completely derailed. I won't repeat the actual format that we undertook on August 9th this year, I think the video showed it very well and we are familiar with it, but it's important for us to draw precious lessons. I think the moment of enlightenment came when the EXCO accepted the situation and dealt with the reality. So we accepted that crowds could not gather to watch, neither could mass performances take place – you can't do these when there's an infectious organism around. So, if Singaporeans can't come to watch the NDP, then we must bring the NDP to Singaporeans. That, in a nutshell, was the core concept which led to many good ideas about celebrating NDP in the heartlands this year. The feedback from many Singaporeans, whether in the mainstream papers or on social media, was indeed very positive – let me just quote a few: Ms Chen Huiyi wrote about the precious smile on the face of her child when he learnt that every household could receive an NDP pack, and when the State Flag flew past their home, for the first time in their lives; Ms Ng Wan Ling, about how watching the mobile column made her feel even more patriotic than before; Ms Lu Lishan, about how she excitedly climbed to the highest floor of the HDB and ran across the long corridor to look for the best view to catch the firework displays – I know that's true because some of my grassroots activists did the same, and for some lucky ones, they could catch, because they were high enough, more than one sight – they could catch both Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and even South; Ms Nirmala Nair, about how this year's NDP tribute to our frontline healthcare workers was something that she – she is a head nurse at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic – would treasure for years to come.

Even amid difficulties, it's quite clear – Singaporeans want to be part of the NDP. And this is a virtuous trait that we should further support and encourage in subsequent NDPs, even when conditions allow us to hold centralised NDPs. So for example, is it possible to continue to have, as many Singaporeans have asked, NDP Packs for all households, our Chinooks flying around Singapore with our State Flag, Red Lion teams parachuting into HDB estates, fireworks across Singapore skies as standard items at each NDP? I'm not making an edict here, but I'm just asking that subsequent EXCOs study what Singaporeans are asking for, which elements can be incorporated at every NDP at a sustainable level, and of course, depending on the ground support for these activities.

I said at the outset that there were two unique aspects of this NDP. The second was also out of the ordinary – and that too, a teachable moment. Because of the difficulties brought about by COVID-19, when we floated the idea, or we floated our concept of NDP2020, some Singaporeans responded differently. They wondered at all if NDP this year ought not to be a low key event. Questions were asked in Parliament, I had to give a speech in Parliament, a response to these suggestions. My main purpose in that speech was not to delve into the details, but to guard against a mood of despondency and despair settling in. I think these negative feelings when Singaporeans were worried about their jobs and livelihoods, their safety, were understandable. But it is in these downcast moments that our people need a lift in their spirits to enable them – to enable us – to overcome our difficulties. Singaporeans too, after the NDP, acknowledged it. Ms. Zulaiqah Abdul Rahim said that this year's parade played an important role of “bringing the message of unity to every household”; Mr Ting Kheng Siong reflected that “the challenges faced during a pandemic was exactly the reason why a ceremony (like NDP) should be held as it could trigger a force to build social cohesion”.

Other countries too have had moments in their history when they had to dig deeper when they were facing trials and tribulations, to summon that inner resolve to continue as if things were normal or going to get better. Two shining examples from WWII come to mind. One is the “Blitz” – some of you may know this – the “Blitz” referred to the bombing of London by Nazi Germany, to try to break their spirit. This was a plan put forward by Hitler at that time. So for 57 unremitting and horrific nights, death rained down on London from treacherous skies. But the spirit of Londoners held firm and indeed strengthened. As Churchill said, “This wicked man (referring to Hitler)… has now resolved to try to break our famous island race by a process of indiscriminate slaughter and destruction. What he has done is to kindle a fire in British hearts, here and all over the world, which will glow long after all traces of the conflagration he has caused in London has been removed.” After the 9/11 attack in Manhattan, citizens in Manhattan drew inspiration from that speech which Churchill made, to pick up the pieces to rebuild.

The second particularly poignant anecdote – which Prime Minister reminded me of – was the 1941 October Revolution Parade that took place during the Battle of Moscow. I did not have time to share this in my Parliament speech then, but since we share some kinship having completed our NDP through difficulties, this would be an appropriate occasion to share it.

The October Revolution Parade was an annual event held in Moscow's Red Square in honor of the Bolshevik Revolution 24 years earlier. So, after the Bolshevik Revolution, they held an annual parade in the Red Square. What was unusual in 1941? In 1941, the Parade continued even though the German military was just 30 kilometres from Moscow and poised to invade the city. Muscovites were facing the real prospect of death and destruction at their doorsteps, even as the rah-rah took place in the Red square! Quite tremendous, and some details bear telling. The German invasion was imminent – just 30 kilometres away you have tanks, you have infantry, you have air force, and large parts of Moscow were already being evacuated or mined. The transport system had stopped functioning, there was widespread looting, fires and a curfew. Against this backdrop, the Soviet government said lets carry on with our national day parade, with our October Revolution. They wanted to rally the Muscovites to show to the rest of the Soviet Union, the World, and indeed the Nazis, that they would not go down without a fight. I think that's great aspiration and very inspiring, but easier said than done. One problem was with the German Luftwaffe, the air force. How do you conduct a parade when you have planes near you that can bomb you? You're assembled out in the open, you're giving a speech – Stalin gave a speech out in the open – I can bomb you. I leave you to google the details, but they did hold the parade and no German plane reached the Red Square that day. In all, over 30,000 soldiers and civilians – it wasn't a small parade – 30,000 soldiers and civilians took part in that parade, with artillery guns, tanks and their military vehicles – much bigger than our NDP. In fact, the soldiers that day, the Russian soldiers that day, went straight from the Parade at Red Square to the frontline to confront the German forces. Just imagine – after the parade, they don't go back to their camps, they go to the frontline. This was the last parade for WWII in 1941. The next parade that took place had to wait till 1945 in June, after the Nazis had surrendered. The Russians were literally moving from the jaws of defeat to the mount of victory!

This COVID-19 threat that Singapore faces is the most serious of this generation. But even so, it cannot be compared to an invasion or aerial bombings on our beloved city. With a strong SAF, may Singapore never be caught in that perilous situation where the aggressors are at our borders poised to invade us or raining down destructive bombs from our skies. But if it did occur, would Singaporeans have the courage to continue, to have that fire in our hearts kindled, as Churchill said, ready for the fight and to win? Or do we become beaten down, spiritless and vanquished?

I am glad that Singaporeans chose during NDP2020 to come together to celebrate our unity, our resolve and resilience as one people. That display gave song to this year's NDP theme – Together, A Stronger Singapore. Whether it was during the decentralised flag raising ceremonies across the island, the mobile columns, the Red Lions in the heartlands, the naval sailpast or the F15s and Chinooks in our skies – Singaporeans did not shy from showing their support. They waved their flags vigorously and cheered through their masks.

NDP2020 was also a fitting tribute to our frontline and essential workers, which the night show so elegantly and emotionally conveyed. Through songs and dances, interlaced with real-life accounts of ordinary Singaporeans in these extraordinary times, it provided a glimpse of the innumerable displays of unity, resilience and ground-up acts of kindness among Singaporeans – whether it was refurbishing old laptops to help students from less well-off backgrounds, whether it was a community project to sew and provide reusable cloth masks for the vulnerable, all these were timely reminders that this is what we celebrate and defend – Singaporeans, who care for the country and one another, for Singapore. I want to say a special word of thanks and convey my deep appreciation to all the performers who pulled off a spectacular show even that night under difficult conditions imposed by COVID-19. Each performer I know had to undergo two swab tests and I am very glad that all were heathy and the show could go on.

Let me once again congratulate and thank all of you – the NDP2020 EXCO, parade participants, show performers, our partner agencies including the Home Team, as well as our sponsors – for making NDP2020 a safe and successful one. The Parade and the show were very well-received. NDP2020 uplifted Singaporeans to rise above present difficulties, to forge ahead with the assurance that we will surmount each challenge taking care of one another.

NDP 21 Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay

What about 2021? I think no one can say now what the circumstances for NDP 2021 will be. If the situation allows, we will bring NDP back to the Float @ Marina Bay – that's the plan – NDP 2021, COVID-19 is under control, we will go back to the Float. And if it does, it will be the tenth time that NDP is held at the Float – I think a good round number to end off the series of NDPs for what was meant to be a temporary floating platform before it is rebuilt into the permanent NS Square. That's the hope. But even if the COVID-19 pandemic persists in August of next year, this I'm sure of – I am certain that NDP 2021 will carry on, just as we did this year. Singaporeans have proven through NDP2020 that how we celebrate NDP each year is a matter of choice, and we choose to celebrate NDP, come rain or shine, virus or no virus. Each year's NDP celebration is that annual reminder to ourselves and to the World that this little red dot is determined to shine, no matter the difficulties that come our way.

I look forward to your continued support for our future NDPs. Thank you, and Majulah Singapura.

More Resources

Minister for Defence Thanks NDP2020's Organisers, Participating Organisations and Sponsors