SINGAPORE – With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the turmoil in the Middle East and the United States-China rivalry, which has been intensifying over the past decade, Singaporeans need “less convincing that Total Defence is vital and needed”, said Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen.

At the Total Defence Awards Ceremony 2023, which was held at Raffles City Convention Centre on Nov 20, he said it was easier in 2023 to convince Singaporeans – young or old – that the country’s national defence strategy, with its six pillars, is necessary.

He added that amid contestation among powers, Singaporeans understand the need for a strong armed forces.

With law and order fraying and homelessness on the rise in other countries, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, they appreciate that Singapore needs and has a strong police and civil defence force, said Dr Ng.

He added that Singaporeans value racial and religious harmony – the result of social defence – and that shortages of food and other essentials will test the country’s economic and psychological defence.

Highlighting why digital defence is necessary, Dr Ng said the digital domain is like “the physical environment, with recurrent cycles of viral attacks that need adequate defences”.

He added that misinformation and falsehoods can be particularly virulent, meant to stoke the worst of people’s tendencies.

“All these changes I mentioned test a few pillars of our Total Defence,” he said.

He told guests at the ceremony, which included recipients of the National Service Advocate Award, that their role as Total Defence advocates was easier in 2023.

He added: “But we need you to be just as passionate about Total Defence when times are good, and that same important message needs emphasising.”

In 2023, 218 NS Advocate Awards were presented to 113 small and medium-sized enterprises, 40 large companies, 46 organisations and 19 individuals.

This award is the highest accolade conferred on businesses, organisations and individuals in recognition of their exemplary support for Total Defence and NS.

One of the recipients of the NS Advocate Award for small and medium-sized enterprises was creative agency Danamic.

Since its inception in 2018, Danamic has been beefing up its initiatives to support staff through their NS experience. Currently, out of its 22 employees, 12 are operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen).

To help young interns about to enlist, the company created a guide in 2018 to surviving Pulau Tekong, where many new recruits go to for basic military training.

When an employee struggled to pass his individual physical proficiency test (IPPT), the company offered him vouchers if he succeeded.

Now, all NSmen at Danamic who pass their IPPT each gets $20 vouchers.

Danamic also provides its employees with leave incentives such as time off to train for the IPPT or prepare for in-camp training.

The company also opted to be part of the Direct Reimbursement to Employers of Claims for NS Training scheme, where employers continue to pay their NSmen employees according to the company’s pay schedule, and are reimbursed directly by the Government.

This allows Danamic’s NSmen employees to receive their salaries on time.

They also do not have to worry about having to file a claim.

The company’s founder, Mr Muhammad Danish Muhammad Imran, 28, said that NS is a “fact of life” that men here have to go through.

As a business owner, he wants to do what he can to make the process seamless – and enjoyable – for his employees.

“It’s really just national support... and everyone understands that it’s a necessity. It wasn’t hard (to incorporate the benefits). It’s part of the culture at this point,” said Mr Danish.

Former actor Ix Shen was one of the individuals honoured for his community engagement work here.

The 51-year-old was living in Ukraine when Russia invaded in February 2022.

He evacuated to Poland in the middle of March, and eventually returned to Singapore in February 2023.

Since his return, Mr Shen has shared his experience at focus groups, engaging more than 1,400 people, including students, community groups and those from the public service.

He said it is important for Singaporeans to understand that Total Defence requires a collective solution, and is not “someone else’s problem”.

He suggested that Singaporeans start by getting interested in regional and international geopolitics.

“Being ill-informed is just as dangerous as being disinformed,” said Mr Shen.

Dr Ng asked the advocates and champions to consider if they would want an easy or hard year to get the Total Defence message across to Singaporeans.

He said that if it is an easy year, it would mean that “troubles are collecting and our citizens can witness for themselves and need little extra convincing”.

In comparison, a hard year would mean that “we can be lulled into complacency”, said Dr Ng.

Giving his take, he said: “I think the answer – whether up or down – is persistence and commitment.”

He added: “If we can keep this message of Total Defence strong for another generation, then Singapore’s future will be that more secure for the future, come what may.”