Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Ministry of Education and Second Minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman reviewed the Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade at the SAFTI Military Institute this evening. A total of 216 cadets, comprising 173 from the Singapore Army and 43 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Dr Maliki emphasized the need for a strong SAF in turbulent times. He said, "The security challenges that we must grapple with are becoming more complex and diverse, ranging from sophisticated cyber-attacks that can affect our critical infrastructure and essential services, to self-radicalised terror attacks that can threaten our social fabric and harmony. These developments are stark reminders that we cannot take the peace and stability we enjoy for granted. It has been said many times that a strong and capable SAF remains key to safeguarding Singapore's sovereignty and security. Having previously served in the Ministry of Defence, I have seen for myself how the SAF constantly adapted to unexpected situations and operations, and made consistent and steady investments in its capabilities in order to continue fulfilling its mission amid an evolving security context."

Addressing the graduands at the parade, Dr Maliki also underlined the important roles the newly commissioned officers play as future leaders of the SAF. He said, "As leaders, what will set you apart is indeed not your aptitude, but your character and values. There will be many moments where you stumble or make mistakes. These are the moments where the best leaders demonstrate integrity, courage and humility to admit and learn from their shortcomings. True leadership is also demonstrated by your willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your team. This means that you actively engage with those you lead, understand their difficulties, and support them to overcome any obstacles. Above all, it is paramount that you remain steadfast, to the core values of the SAF. Never lose sight of your duty to safeguard our nation's security and protect the lives of our fellow citizens."

The parade marked the completion of 38 weeks of rigorous training at the Officer Cadet School. The realistic training conducted during the course sharpened the cadets' combat, planning and leadership skills. The newly commissioned officers will go on to assume command, instructional or staff appointment in the SAF.