Table of Contents Table of Contents
Previous Page  46 / 409 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 46 / 409 Next Page
Page Background

CREATING THE SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES

30

THREE

they could not intimidate us in this way. It stiffened our resolve and made us dig our heels in.”

10

Whether the problems with Malaysia were only teething problems which, moderated by the

presence of the British forces in Singapore, would eventually have dissipated, is a moot point.

But, there was no question that sooner or later, Singapore would have had to provide credibly

for its own defence and sovereignty in its national interest, even in foreign relations with its

immediate neighbours. Choosing to do it sooner, the Singapore Government also saw in it an

unrepeatable opportunity to rally the people around the new national flag, anthem and identity.

III. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND DEFENCE

On separation, apart from the two regular infantry battalions (less those personnel who were

Malaysians or chose to remain with Malaysia) and the two ex-SVC battalions (10

th

and 11

th

Battalions, ex-Malaysian Territorial Army) worth of Volunteers, Singapore got back a small

Signals contingent which had been with 4 MIB; some personnel from the Armoured Car

contingent who had been assigned to the Malaysian reconnaissance regiment; some Volunteer

Engineers scattered throughout the MAF; the Singapore component of the Royal Malaysian

Navy Volunteer Reserve (which was renamed the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF) on

1

st

January, 1966

11

together with the

Laburnum

(static HQ ship of the Volunteers, later renamed

Singapura

and still later scrapped),

Panglima

(a 37.5 metre Ford Class large patrol craft), and an

ex-police vessel, the

Bedok

.

12

There had been no Air Force Volunteers from Singapore at the

time of the merger as the service had been disbanded in 1960.

MID at Empress Place, 1965.