Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen was the Guest of Honour at the annual Total Defence Awards ceremony held at Temasek Club this evening. The Total Defence Awards Ceremony 2021 (TDA21) had been postponed from 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, 148 National Service (NS) Advocate Awards were presented to 83 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 15 Large Companies, 37 Organisations and 13 Individuals. The NS Advocate Award is the highest accolade conferred on businesses, organisations and individuals in recognition of their exemplary support towards Total Defence and NS.

Dr Ng said that despite the fear and uncertainty that the pandemic has brought about, it also brought out the best in people who either actively supported Singapore in the community's fight against COVID-19, or in their continued support of NSmen despite the challenges faced in their businesses. He said, "In Singapore, all six pillars of Total Defence went into action, and that compact, that social compact held. Individuals, community groups and businesses stepped forward to reach out to groups which needed assistance, including migrant workers, underprivileged schoolchildren, and elderly who live alone. Total Defence in Singapore against COVID-19 saved lives and kept Singapore united and strong."

Dr Ng also emphasised that each person has an important role to play for Singapore's national defence. "It drives home the hard truth of the security threats to a country's well-being and sovereignty… The freedom and way of life that Singaporeans enjoy are never a given, and must be protected at all times. Singapore is vulnerable because we are small, and that will never change. Whether it was residents in Singapore 80 years ago or those in Ukraine now, physical invasion of your country puts an end to all that you have built over the years and to future dreams. It doesn't matter how high the skyscrapers, how deep the bonds we have formed between people – all that is lost if we cannot protect the country. And for us, Singapore's right to exist as an independent country. Mr Lee Kuan Yew had mentioned at a dinner I had attended: "Without a strong SAF, there is no economic future, there is no security". I have used this quote a few times before in this year. In the face of the Ukrainian invasion, I think (the quote) seems apt: 'Without security, there can be no progress, no economic future'," said Dr Ng.

Also present at the dinner were Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, and Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.