预算辩论 · 2017-03-03 · 第 13 届国会

国防预算与安全挑战质询

Committee of Supply − Head J (Ministry of Defence)

AI 与国家安全AI 基础设施与研究AI 与公共部门 争议度 3 · 实质辩论

议员质询国防部当前面临的主要安全威胁，包括地区大国冲突、朝鲜核试验、恐怖主义及网络攻击。政府强调多元威胁并重视网络安全，呼吁加强防御能力。核心争议在于如何平衡传统与非传统安全威胁的资源分配及应对策略。

关键要点

  • • 地区大国安全威胁
  • • 恐怖主义持续存在
  • • 网络攻击成新挑战
政府立场

重视多元安全威胁，强化网络防御

质询立场

预算应更审慎，关注威胁多样性

政策信号

加强网络安全防御

"The security threats we face come from far, wide, in many forms, and MINDEF is very much in the frontline."

参与人员（21）

完整译文（中文）

Hansard 英文原文译文 · 翻译日期：2026-05-02

主席：国防部J组负责人。Vikram Nair先生。

上午11时52分

我们的安全环境

Vikram Nair先生（实龙岗）：女士，我提议，“将预算中J组的总拨款减少100元”。

今年是新加坡在第二次世界大战中沦陷75周年。自那一天起的20年间，新加坡经历了波澜壮阔的独立历程。

即使在独立之后，安全依然是我们的关注点之一，国民服役（NS）也随之启动。今年，我们也庆祝国民服役50周年。令人欣慰的是，新加坡在国内和平的背景下不断发展壮大，繁荣昌盛。然而，安全威胁依然存在。

在南中国海，美国政府最近表示，他们认为中国在岛屿上建设设施是非法的，可能会采取措施阻止中国进入这些设施。中国则回应称继续进行安全巡逻，甚至派遣航母穿越该地区。虽然我认为冲突不符合任何一方利益，但大国之间的威胁显然正在逼近。

在更近的地区，朝鲜半岛，朝鲜于2016年9月进行了第五次核试验。更近的地方，在吉隆坡机场，一名朝鲜公民金正男——朝鲜领导人的同父异母兄弟——在神秘情况下被杀。似乎在过程中使用了被归类为“大规模杀伤性武器”的神经毒剂VX。

与此同时，近年来引起我们关注的恐怖威胁依然存在。即使所谓的“伊斯兰国”在伊拉克和叙利亚失地，恐怖袭击仍在继续。去年，包括尼斯、也门、土耳其和孟加拉国发生多起袭击，死亡人数达数百人。其中一些是有组织的袭击，另一些则是自我激进化的“孤狼”袭击。这使得恐怖主义的影响范围广泛，尤其是“孤狼”袭击极难被侦测。

在本地区，也并非一切安然无恙。印度尼西亚多年未见的暴力示威在雅加达爆发，起因是其省长的言论引发抗议。但物理威胁并非唯一威胁。就在几天前，国防部（MINDEF）报告其网络系统遭受攻击。网络攻击是一个长期引起我们关注的威胁，但现在似乎已迫近家门。

我们面临的安全威胁来自远方、广泛且多样，国防部正处于应对这些威胁的前线。因此，我想借此辩论开场，询问国防部认为当前新加坡面临的最突出安全挑战是什么，包括传统和非传统威胁。

[(程序文本) 提出问题。 (程序文本)]

主席：副教授Fatimah Lateef。

副教授Fatimah Lateef（海洋坊）：女士，我可以把两个削减一起讨论吗？

主席：可以，请讲。

和平与安全

副教授Fatimah Lateef：我们与美国签署的战略框架协议正式确立了双边安全与防务关系。该协议允许美国轮换使用设施，而不触及敏感的主权问题。新加坡先进的设施和在地区的政治地位使我们能够接待美国。

近期，许多变化和转型正在形成。这包括新当选的美国总统以及崛起的中国，具有某些显著特征。特朗普政府使这些关系的结果充满不确定性。两国领导层变得更加难以预测。中国希望施加影响力，而美国的立场也不明确，处于悬而未决状态。国防部如何看待这一复杂的过渡问题？这将对我们在地区和全球的安全与发展产生影响。鉴于维护强大关系对我们重要，是否预期与美国和中国的防务关系会有变化？

地区和平与安全

如今，除了传统安全问题，东南亚国家联盟（ASEAN）还面临复杂的非传统威胁，即恐怖主义和跨国犯罪。这些可能包括贩运、洗钱、网络犯罪甚至人口走私。该地区也未能免受核武器威胁。

需要更紧密、更强有力的合作与协调，既包括双边，也包括多边伙伴关系，必须持续培养和加强相互理解。防务关系无疑是其中一个重要领域。

新加坡如何与东盟伙伴及地区其他国家合作，首先在冲突预防、缓解和调解方面；其次在反恐和打击跨国犯罪方面；第三在维和行动和包括海上安全的行动方面？最后，我们是否也在探索新的合作领域？

与马来西亚和印度尼西亚的军事关系

Pritam Singh先生（亚历山大）：主席女士，在最近第七届马新领导人会晤中，李总理和纳吉总理重申了加强双边关系的承诺，并强调了两国防务合作的重要性。一个月前，马来西亚和新加坡军队成功完成了长期举行的“Semangat Bersatu”联合军演最新一轮。

虽然过去关系恶化时此类演习曾被暂停，但当前地缘政治环境强调了加强而非削弱防务合作的重要性，以提升双边和地区安全。

为此，国防部是否考虑在马六甲海峡巡逻、五国防务安排（FPDA）及东盟防长会议（ADMM）和ADMM-Plus框架之外，引入新的信任建设举措，与马来西亚和印度尼西亚合作？此前我建议探索联合维和行动和国际任务训练的可能性。国防部是否考虑与马来西亚开展除“Semangat Bersatu”系列外的新军事合作领域，以利用政治关系带来的良好意愿，谋求未来更持久的关系？

相比之下，尽管与印度尼西亚的政治关系更复杂，因其政治多元和更具代表性的民主环境，但军事关系似乎是全天候的，尽管偶有政治波动。然而，2017年标志着新印防务合作协议（DCA）尚未实施的第十周年。

各位议员应记得，DCA与两国引渡条约相关。2007年，印尼在与新加坡达成细节后寻求重新审视DCA，而新加坡坚持谈判已完成。最终导致该协议胎死腹中。

然而，去年4月，雅加达确认加强执法合作以替代引渡条约，并据报向新加坡提供了逃犯名单以便跟进和协助。鉴于新印建交50周年及东部边界条约签署，国防部如何看待以加强军事合作和外交联系为名，启动DCA新一轮讨论？

主席：Amrin Amin先生，您有两个削减，请一并发言。

中午12时

打击假新闻

Amrin Amin先生（实龙岗）：作为一个多种族、多宗教国家，虚假信息和假新闻可能侵蚀各群体间的信任，且可能被外部势力利用。黄永宏部长2013年也曾警告，某些类型的假新闻可能产生指数级后果，破坏国家安全。网络虚假信息在紧张或动荡时广泛传播，造成混乱和恐慌，削弱社区凝聚力，导致分裂。国防部如何准备应对信息领域的此类威胁？每个新加坡人能发挥什么作用？

混合攻击的脆弱性

去年，黄永宏部长谈到我们将面临的“动荡和平”，在日益动荡和无国界的环境中。我们最近目睹了据称由国家主导的混合攻击，结合传统和非官方军事手段、网络战、宣传和间接策略。这类攻击在我们地区有多普遍？我们是否脆弱？如何防范此类攻击？

扩展的安全威胁

Cedric Foo Chee Keng先生（先锋）：女士，正如前面几位所述，新加坡面临的威胁已扩大。除了传统战争，还有恐怖主义、网络安全、疫情管理、人道援助和灾难救援等领域。

仅2016年，全球就发生了多起恐怖袭击。更近的例子是新加坡曾在9·11后成为伊斯兰祈祷团（JI）的目标，去年8月还有激进组织计划向滨海湾发射火箭的阴谋被挫败。揭露这次未遂恐怖袭击凸显了未来恐怖袭击在新加坡的真实可能性。

国民服役人员（NSmen）和全职国民服役人员（NSFs）的训练大纲，正如我们所知，主要基于传统武装冲突。我想知道是否已更新大纲，涵盖这些新威胁和挑战。具体来说，我想问部长，国防部是否已做好充分准备，使新加坡武装部队（SAF）人员接受反恐训练，并配备必要的情报、技能、技术和装备来应对恐怖主义。更重要的是，如果新加坡遭受袭击，我们的军人是否接受过应对后果的训练？我们的民众是否准备好应对袭击后的救援工作？

网络安全，正如其他人所指出的，对新加坡尤为重要，因为我们志在成为更智能的城市。最近的互联网系统泄露事件清楚显示了我们的脆弱性，也让我们看到防御坚定黑客的难度。网络恐怖主义也可能瘫痪新加坡，因为我们依赖互联网，日常生活越来越多地在线上进行。

我还想问部长，国防部和其他政府机构，如网络安全局（CSA）、GovTech等，如何准备加强我们的网络安全？如果遭受攻击，有哪些措施减轻损害？

网络攻击与网络安全

副教授Fatimah Lateef：主席，不久前孟买恐怖爆炸事件中，手机和电子设备在协调和执行阶段发挥了重要作用。网络攻击确实日益增多，带来复杂且独特的挑战。先进信息系统的出现彻底改变了我们今天的世界。网络威胁难以纳入大多数现代国家现有的传统安全框架。新方法至关重要，军队的适当且平衡的角色是核心。伦敦国王学院的研究将这些威胁分为：（a）间谍活动，（b）颠覆，（c）破坏，（d）网络犯罪，最后是（e）网络战争，后者较少见。

军事响应不是唯一响应，而是包括法律、政治等多方面协调一致的综合方法。国防部如何应对这一问题？如何与新加坡其他机构协调，如执法部门？这一框架如何融入我们的国家网络安全生态系统？

投资国防技术

Jessica Tan Soon Neo女士（东海岸）：我们正经历一场广泛的革命，技术无处不在，影响着工作和生活的许多方面。

与以往工业革命不同，第四次工业革命正以指数速度发展。该革命的特点是多种技术融合物理、数字和生物世界，创造了技术融入生活的新方式。这些技术包括人工智能（AI）、机器人技术、物联网、自动驾驶车辆、3D打印、纳米技术和量子计算的突破。

我们知道技术带来可能性，是国防部转型建设下一代新加坡武装部队的重要部分。但关键不仅是技术本身，而是如何使用技术。这需要人才和能力。

国防技术社区（DTC）始于1966年，由国防科学技术局（DSTA）、国防科学组织国家实验室（DSO）、国防部未来系统与技术司以及国防工业与系统办公室组成，如今已发展为拥有5000名成员的社区。

在纪念DTC成立50周年的演讲中，陈庆炎总统称DTC站在科学与工程发现的前沿。DTC先驱在塑造新加坡国防技术方面发挥了关键作用。

部长能否分享国防部如何利用这些新兴技术支持新加坡国防？除了利用技术，国防部如何激励人才，建设能力，实现这些新兴技术的潜力？

无人机对国家安全的威胁

Joan Pereira女士（丹戎巴葛）：主席，无人机变得越来越普遍且先进。由于其在物流、运输、摄影、视频甚至巡逻等多种应用，无人机将成为我们生活的重要组成部分。但落入坏人之手，无人机可能威胁国家安全。

上个月，《华盛顿邮报》报道，伊拉克和叙利亚的伊斯兰国（ISIS）成立了新的无人机部队，配备改装无人机携带炸弹。

无人机易于购买和运输，可从几乎任何地方起飞，飞行后几分钟内可到达几公里内的任何地点。较小的无人机几乎难以被雷达探测，现有雷达系统设计用于追踪较大型飞机。

无人机可用于运送物品。对于恶意者，这些物品可能包括毒粉或毒气如沙林、燃烧装置、手榴弹和炸弹。

更令人担忧的是，追踪无人机的拥有者和操作者非常困难。运输、发射和操作过程中被发现的风险很低。

我们是否有控制和基础设施来规范无人机的使用？国防部如何评估无人机对新加坡当前及未来的威胁？国防部有哪些措施确保随着无人机日益普及，我们的国家安全不受影响？

国防技术投资

Vikram Nair先生：作为一个小国，技术对我们的防务至关重要。同样重要的是发展我们自己的技术。

我亲眼见证了这些变化的重要性。我曾是使用M-16的国民服役人员。后来在预备役时，我接触了SAR-21，这是一种完全改良的武器。我也见证了它带来的巨大差异。以前我在国服时射击测试勉强及格，使用SAR-21后，我整个班组都成为神枪手。因此，我们自主研发武器极大提升了生产力。

当然，重要的是我们是否能培养足够的人才来开发这些武器和自主技术。我们需要具备科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）背景的人才。国防部如何确保有足够STEM背景的人才，以维持自主技术开发能力？

新加坡武装部队

Cedric Foo Chee Keng先生：主席女士，1965年新加坡成为独立国家。我们随后成立了新加坡武装部队（SAF）。多年来，我们不断现代化SAF，催生了1980至1990年代的第二代SAF。2004年，我们创建了第三代（3G）SAF。这一转型升级了我们的系统，成为先进的网络化部队，具备领先能力。

如今，新加坡面临的威胁确实扩大了。SAF比以往任何时候都更重要，以保卫新加坡免受各种威胁。

尽管威胁扩大，SAF可用的人力资源将因长期低生育率而减少。SAF如何在可用人力减少的情况下做更多事？正如Vikram Nair先生所说，我们如何利用技术提升生产力、战斗效能，当然也包括增加神枪手数量？

部长能否概述新加坡武装部队（SAF）在陆地、海上、空中，甚至通过卫星在太空中的能力和战备情况，以有效防御新加坡免受如此广泛的威胁？国防部（MINDEF）未来几年将非常繁忙。

资源挑战

罗燕玲女士（蔡厝港）：主席女士，去年十一月，李总理提到经济增长放缓将成为新常态。的确，我们正经历经济转型。贸易放缓，本地劳动力增长接近极限。

正如财政部长在预算陈述中指出，许多经历同样转型的发达经济体，其年度国内生产总值增长已放缓至1%或更低。在这一新常态背景下，鉴于医疗保健和基础设施等领域需求增长，目前的财政环境显得谨慎。财政部长指出，随着开支需求增加，政府必须继续审慎支出，强调物有所值，并推动创新交付。

每个部委都有责任确保审慎支出，以更好地为未来做准备。然而，我们观察到，在国防和安全领域，区域国家的国防开支达到历史最高水平。自2012年以来，亚洲在国防上的绝对支出超过欧洲。我们还观察到，未来几年，区域国家将以比世界其他地区更快的速度增加国防开支。事实上，根据斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所的数据，仅2014至2015年，亚洲和大洋洲的军事开支增长了5.4%，远超全球国防开支1%的增长。

我们的安全环境日益复杂且不可预测。我认识到国防部必须继续投资必要资源，确保武装部队能够防御针对新加坡及新加坡人的各种安全威胁。国防部能否详细说明如何在保持审慎的同时，确保武装部队拥有保障新加坡安全所需的资源？

主席：维克拉姆·奈尔先生，您可以将两个发言合并。

维克拉姆·奈尔先生：主席女士，作为一个小国，武装部队与许多其他用途竞争土地。最近宣布收购巴耶利峇空军基地。我对巴耶利峇空军基地有美好回忆，因为我母亲曾是那里的心理学家，我小时候常去那里。几年后，这个营地可能不复存在。

我服兵役的营地，义顺营，可能不再作为基础军事训练营运作。事实上，我认为它已经停止作为基础训练营。我们看到武装部队曾使用的训练区和营地逐渐被放弃。无论是空军、海军还是陆军，三军都需要土地进行训练。鉴于本地土地稀缺且对土地的需求增加，武装部队如何确保士兵获得必要训练？

国民服役

如我之前提到，今年也是国民服役50周年。国民服役已成为新加坡的制度。它不仅是国家防御的基础，也是国家认同的重要部分。它是男性彼此容易产生共鸣的基础；女性也能轻松理解男性经历的事情。

国民服役面临的根本问题之一是人口下降，服役群体每年可能越来越小。因此，每位国民服役者将更加珍贵。国防部采取了哪些措施，确保每位国民服役者接受充分训练，充分发挥潜力，最大化其能力？

与此相关的是我们面临的新型威胁。许多早期发言者提到网络攻击、混合战争的威胁，这些威胁未来可能更加重要。我们需要发展防御网络攻击的能力，甚至可能将其作为更广泛防御战略中的反击手段。国防部自己的服务器几天前被黑客攻击，凸显了这一威胁的真实和迫切性。

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但应对这一威胁也需要人才，而所需技能高度专业，具备这些技能的人才可能很少。

未来经济委员会对此有何建议？该委员会建议利用国民服役者增强网络人才库，以应对这类威胁。我了解到其他国家，如以色列，也利用国民服役者应对网络安全威胁。

国防部能否提供是否计划实施未来经济委员会建议的细节？如果计划实施，如何执行？

马宝庆先生（淡滨尼）：女士，在上个月国民服役50周年启动仪式上，吴庆瑞部长表示，50年前，“我们在国家成立时承诺，绝不允许1942年新加坡在二战中沦陷给日本的情况重演”。吴部长谈及我们先驱一代国民服役者的贡献，指出当时“新加坡面临对抗、马来亚共产主义叛乱和越南战争可能带来的影响”。

国民服役刚开始时，对于年轻国家的防御至关重要。我们的先驱一代国民服役者肩负保卫新加坡的重任，当时几乎没有可言的武装部队。

五十年后，我们的地区经历了数十年的相对和平与稳定。我们拥有强大且有能力的武装部队，保护新加坡的边界和利益。新加坡繁荣且安全。

全球范围内，立陶宛、法国和瑞典等国家已废除征兵制，但最近一些国家考虑恢复征兵。

在此背景下，国民服役对新加坡扮演什么角色？它仍然重要吗？国防部如何持续提醒公众，包括准入伍者、现役国民服役者、退伍国民服役者及其家属、雇主和公众，国民服役不断演变的角色及其持续重要性？

张浩斌博士（武吉班让）：女士，我希望向国防部澄清以下问题：

鉴于战争形态变化，国防部如何调整训练和作战以应对城市战争的新挑战？

女士，今年新加坡庆祝国民服役50周年。许多服役过的男性新加坡人理解保卫新加坡的重要性，并已培养出保护国家的决心。

然而，他们大多接受过传统战术训练，如丛林战，这在当今混合战争威胁中可能不再适用。混合战争是一种军事概念，结合传统武器和非常规手段，如经济制裁和通讯，旨在不诉诸公开战争而取得胜利。

女士，在当今密集建设区域及新加坡内外不断变化的威胁下，战争的作战环境发生了巨大变化。因此，我们需要审视训练原则和成果，发展国防部队的新能力。

除了训练现役国民服役者和常备军，我们还需制定培训路线图，提升退伍国民服役者的能力。

女士，我认为应聚焦三方面强化国防部队。第一，发展城市作战能力；第二，发展信息与通讯能力以应对网络攻击；第三，发展攻击能力以威慑或摧毁任何侵略者。

李毅贤先生（东海岸）：主席女士，2014年6月，政府接受了加强国民服役委员会（CSNS）提出的30项建议。该委员会由来自不同背景的成员组成，包括本院议员，负责审视如何加强国民服役，更好地服务新加坡和新加坡人。

CSNS报告引用政策研究所的一项调查，97%的受访者认为应更好地匹配服役者的个人技能与国民服役职业。报告还指出，CSNS研究了芬兰和瑞士的国民服役制度，这两个国家均享有强烈的公众支持，并注意到芬兰和瑞士均有政策允许征兵者在入伍时表达职业偏好。

基于这些发现，CSNS建议在分配国民服役者职业时考虑其职业兴趣。根据CSNS建议，国防部允许去年11月首批预入伍者在报到中央人力基地时表达职业偏好。

国防部能否更新职业兴趣计划的进展？武装部队是否正在审视其他方式以更好地部署服役者？

傅志庆先生：女士，国民服役是所有新加坡男性公民和第二代永久居民的神圣职责。它是新加坡国防和安全的基石。对许多新加坡男性而言，国民服役是成年礼，他们18岁离开舒适的家，承担保卫国家、家人和朋友的责任。无论社会地位、种族或宗教如何，男性们携手训练，互相照应，共同克服挑战。这种通过国民服役锻造的“社会纽带”，对国家而言极为珍贵。

鉴于国民服役者为训练和保卫国家付出时间，国防部理应改善国民服役体验。国防部多年来如何做到这一点？近期有何举措提升国民服役者的参与感和满足感？国民服役的编制显然不同于民间部门，因为其使命不同，而我们从民间部门抽调整批男性服役者。然而，在可能的范围内，若能匹配国民服役者的私营部门兴趣与其国民服役职业，国防部将获得更多效益，服役者也将从国民服役中获得更多。

鉴于国民服役者对新加坡的重要性，我们无疑应认可他们的贡献和努力。事实上，我们应更进一步，认可支持他们服役的家人、配偶、女友等。

我支持武装部队预备役协会（SAFRA）会员资格认可，也支持向雇主强调国民服役贡献。我认为这在认可方面已取得长足进展。但对于金钱奖励，我持保留态度。我们应取得平衡，避免将国民服役简化为纯商业交易。

部长能否介绍其他国民服役认可计划，以及我们还能如何让国民服役对服役者更有意义？

国防部长（吴庆瑞博士）：女士，首先感谢多位议员的发言。听他们发言时，我有两个总体感受。

一是感谢我们甚至帮助一些人提高了射击技能。我们会在应得时接受赞誉，即使有时不完全是我们的功劳。我感谢跨党派的支持。无论政治立场如何，无选区议员、提名议员，我非常感谢国防获得各方支持。

第二个感受是认同。事实上，我几乎同意议员们提出的所有观点。听他们发言，是对不断变化的安全环境的全面阐述——世界确实不可预测；新威胁正在出现甚至已迫近。然而，由于其他需求增加的压力，武装部队和新加坡如何用有限预算应对这些威胁？对此，我完全赞同议员们的看法。

他们的发言抓住了新加坡和新加坡人必须为之准备的新安全环境的本质，武装部队必须适应以保护主权和家园。傅志庆先生和张浩斌博士谈到了这一点。我们多年来谈论第三代武装部队转型，但新的环境已到来。

和这里的议员一样，我们认识到今年是特殊的一年——新加坡沦陷75周年，国民服役50周年。与在座各位一起，我们感谢超过一百万忠诚履行职责的国民服役者，他们过去几十年建立了强大的武装部队保护新加坡和新加坡人。尽管我们赞扬他们的个人贡献，我同意议员们的看法，武装部队现在必须采取关键步骤，更好地保护新加坡应对新安全环境。正如我们为第三代武装部队转型所做，武装部队必须再次转型为下一代武装部队，更好地为未来定位。我的演讲重点将围绕此展开。

我同意议员们的观点，世界确实处于转折点。采访任何世界领导人，他们都会这么说。即使领导人不说，我们的公民也能感受到即将到来的动荡和变化。发生了什么？

冷战结束后的25年，全球化迅速发展，尽管存在极端恐怖主义威胁（我们不轻视），但总体相对和平。这种相对和平使欧盟军队实际缩编。我记得访问德国时，德国国防部谈及削减三分之一兵力，幅度显著。他们有充分理由，希望从统一欧洲的和平红利中获益，以应对被视为衰退的俄罗斯。

亚洲经历了良好的三十年。中国经济以每年约10%的速度惊人增长30年。印度经济也增长，尽管速度较慢，约6%年均增长，从1979年起持续30年。这种巨大增长提升了全球经济，尤其是亚洲，包括东盟，年均增长6%，远高于全球4%的平均水平。

我们目睹的时代轨迹正在改变，全球化的利益在国家内部和国家间并不均衡。全球化带来的“弊端”，如移民和就业中断，削弱了许多国家的民众支持，尽管数亿人摆脱贫困。

因此，取代冷战结束时的乐观和希望，今天充满不确定性。关于“美国优先”对全球领导和贸易的影响存在不确定性，尤其是当前或曾经的全球贸易领导者不参与跨太平洋伙伴关系协定时；亚洲对美中战略竞争如何影响亚洲和我们存在不确定性，正如多位议员之前所言，尤其是对像新加坡这样的小国面临选边站队的压力。

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欧洲仍在2008年全球经济危机的余波中，部分成员国面临安全威胁的不确定性。多位议员提及瑞典，不仅是一个国家，而是整个欧洲。甚至对欧盟本身的存在也有担忧，尤其是极右翼政党推动类似英国脱欧的运动正在壮大。

多位议员反映了这些不确定性，包括法蒂玛·拉蒂夫副教授，她问我们是否脆弱。确实，我们脆弱。我们应接受地缘政治将动荡不安，新加坡必须为波涛汹涌做好准备。但同时，我们应对不确定性的国家战略依然稳健。战略简单，首先基于强大的武装部队和全民防卫，我们每年在您的支持下稳步投入资源。

其次，正如多位议员提及，包括普里坦·辛格先生，与邻国保持良好关系，并与志同道合国家建立强大伙伴关系。一些议员，包括普里坦·辛格，询问我们与邻国的关系，我告诉您，整体良好，确实在多方面合作。正如提及的，马六甲海峡巡逻去年庆祝十周年。防卫伙伴关系协议（FPDA）持续获得坚实支持，现已进入第46年。18国防长会议加（ADMM-Plus）取得良好进展，多个工作组应对不同安全挑战。

普里坦·辛格问是否应有更多合作平台。我们持开放态度。任何改善军队间合作的举措，我们都会参与。但我们也理解，在某些方面，我们需等待邀请，例如新的苏禄海巡逻。我们已将樟宜海军基地的信息融合中心资源提供给苏禄海巡逻，因为这符合我们的利益。对于其他倡议，如果其他国家希望我们进一步参与，我们会积极响应。

我们于2015年与美国签署了加强防务合作协议（DCA），去年与澳大利亚签署了全面战略伙伴关系。我们与中国和印度的双边关系也在增长。2014年，议员们会记得，我与常万全将军达成了“四点共识”，确认原则和实质步骤，加强双边防务合作。对于印度，2015年我与马诺哈尔·帕里卡尔部长签署了修订版DCA，我们正探索在海上安全和反恐等领域加强合作。

这些强有力的伙伴关系为我们提供了良好的基础，但归根结底，正如各位议员所言，下一代新加坡武装部队（Next Generation SAF）的首要使命和责任是应对21世纪的安全威胁。我们知道，这完全是我们的职责所在，武装部队必须随时准备应对。我也同意各位议员的看法，这其中包括网络攻击和假新闻的威胁。

两年前，我在拨款委员会（COS）辩论中提出了混合战争的问题。那时这个词并不常见，实际上非常罕见。但今天，当我听各位议员的发言时，发现这个词在短短两年内变得如此普遍和广为人知。威胁逐渐上升。我刚从慕尼黑安全会议回来，会上默克尔总理公开表示，有些国家认为混合战争是合法的。她说得没错。上周，《金融时报》发表了一篇关于网络战争的完整报道。让我引用其中一段重要内容。

“俄罗斯军方不像西方那样，将网络战争视为严格限定、依法衡量的行动，而是讨论更广泛的信息战概念，这一概念早于苏联时代，其工具包已为数字时代进行了升级。”文章继续指出，俄罗斯国防部长确认了信息部队的存在，这支部队多年来一直被传闻，但官方长期否认。他们引用俄罗斯国防部长的话：“宣传必须聪明、有文化且有效，”他在下议院议会中说。据当地报纸《商业报》报道，俄罗斯每年在其约1000人的“网络军队”上花费3亿美元。

这是德国政府的领导人说，周边有国家认为这合法。国防部长公开表示，“这是我的编制和使命的一部分。”有教义、有训练、有执行。俄罗斯并非孤例，据报道其他国家的军队和部门也拥有网络营甚至网络师。我完全同意各位议员的看法，下一代武装部队需要为这种环境做好准备，在这种环境中，国家主导的网络和信息战对另一国家的攻击不仅被视为合法，而且可能持续不断。这种威胁的影响可能带来真实且严重的物理后果。让我给大家举几个例子。

乌克兰的电网曾多次遭受网络攻击，其中2015年12月的一次攻击切断了一个面积约为新加坡20倍的地区的电力，且发生在冬季。爱沙尼亚是一个人口约130万的小国。其人民和政府对这一威胁特别了解，因为自2007年以来，他们已成为精心策划的网络攻击的目标，持续了十年之久。以至于爱沙尼亚计划制作整个国家的数字副本，包括出生记录、产权证、银行数据和所有政府记录。他们计划将这些数据存储在另一个地点，一个秘密地点，可能是在英国或卢森堡。至少，他们给出了这两个存储地点。

他们为什么要这样做？试想一下。我们曾有850条个人信息被盗。假如有人入侵我们的中央公积金记录、死亡和登记记录、住房记录并将其销毁，任何国家都会陷入混乱。

甚至选举也可能受到有组织的网络攻击的影响。美国民主党全国委员会在上次总统选举中遭到黑客攻击，数千份文件被未知来源泄露，旨在抹黑其候选人。《金融时报》称，俄罗斯已入侵法国和德国的政党服务器，这两个国家即将举行选举。我不知道《金融时报》如何得知此事，但他们确实报道了。更近的例子是印尼，议员们提到印尼确实激化了种族和政治紧张局势。印尼已成立机构应对网络犯罪和假新闻。

我们对抗信息战的最佳防御是全民防卫（Total Defence），这一体系经受住了时间的考验。我将留给高级国务部长马立基详细说明我们如何根据这些混合威胁更新和刷新全民防卫。

但现代军队不能再选择忽视数字战线上的外部威胁。我们若这样做，将是愚蠢且失职的。事实上，我们准备这篇演讲已有数周，但国防部最近披露其内部网络系统遭到入侵。演讲计划是在发现该入侵之前准备的。这并不令人惊讶。告诉各位，我们未来还会遇到更多此类网络攻击，这并非新鲜事。正是早期认识到网络威胁的潜力，因此自武装部队成立之初，我们的机密和作战网络就与互联网分离。我们当时就明白了。但威胁现在已成现实且更为严重。我完全同意各位议员的看法，武装部队需要加强网络防御，尤其是在威胁不断升级的情况下。

傅振邦议员尖锐地询问我们应对这些新威胁的努力。明确且毫不含糊地承认网络领域是当今战场，国防部和武装部队将成立新的网络司令部，称为国防网络组织（Defence Cyber Organisation，DCO），并置于我们组织架构的最高层级。该网络司令部将由一名副秘书领导，下设四个主要编制单位，每个单位由至少一名上校或将军、海军将领指挥，隶属于国防部和武装部队。

网络司令部将负责政策制定，训练网络部队全天候监控和防御我们的网络免受威胁，评估漏洞，检测入侵和系统破坏企图。武装部队必须跟上网络领域侵略者的战术和行动，正如张豪斌议员所说，这是一场永无止境的游戏，就像常规战争一样。

在平时，国防网络组织将拥有约2600名士兵，得到国防科技局（DSTA）和国防科学与技术局（DSO）的科学家和工程师支持。这是对现有人数的显著扩充，反映了这一新战线的重要性。回应议员们的关切，这是一个明确的信号。我们同意你们的看法，武装部队和国防部将加大力度。

有议员问到国民服役者（NSmen），是的，国民服役者也将接受网络防御职业培训。我们不这样做将是愚蠢的；他们是我们的主要资源。正如安全部队士兵现在保护关键设施一样，我们也将部署这些国民服役网络防御者与总参谋部一起保护我们的设施。翁毅康部长将对此作进一步说明。

像陈洁仪议员这样的一些议员询问技术和资源部署。现代军队依赖技术，尤其是新加坡，无法回避。正如议员们正确指出的，我们将面临人力下降，国防技术机构将加强支持这些变化。

魏克拉姆·奈尔议员问及我们在STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）领域的招募努力。他说得对。我们现在拥有5000名且不断增长的国防工程师和科学家社区。到2025年，我们将增加40%的奖学金和奖励，从现在的120个增加到170个。今年将颁发国防部的顶级公共服务委员会奖学金（工程类）。

将设立两个新实验室，以便集中力量，正如许多议员谈到的利用技术，我完全同意。一个是国防科学与技术局的机器人实验室，另一个是国防科技局的新实验室，将专注于人工智能和数据分析。我们将为这两个新实验室每年提供4500万元的启动资金，以推动更多实验和创新。我们处于前沿领域，商业软件并不容易买到，因此必须投资资源启动这一进程。

机器人方面的工作已开始。六名新加坡步兵团士兵正在试验无人空中和地面车辆执行任务。海军更进一步，正在投入可自主导航和避碰的无人水面舰艇（USV）投入作战。我要明确指出：这不是遥控设备，而是自主设备。

武装部队与内政部合作，已部署并开发了针对潜在无人机攻击的对策。这是佩雷拉议员关心的问题。我们认识到这一威胁，确实是现实威胁。我们正在监控伊拉克和叙利亚等地的发展，但我们不会掉以轻心。事实上，这一问题已在由张德明副总理主持的安全政策审查委员会讨论过。无论你是否知道，最近在国家体育场举行的国庆阅兵中，这些系统已部署，不仅用于检测，还包括对策。正如各位所记得，国会最近也通过了相关法律，赋予我们相应权力。

分析与人工智能实验室将利用物联网和各种平台产生的海量实时信息。我们拥有许多平台，我同意议员们的看法，我们不仅脆弱，还需要利用这些信息，因为其潜力巨大。让我举一个例子。

每天约有1500艘商船穿行于我们水域。新加坡海事危机中心使用一套嵌入人工智能的程序，为这些船只生成独特的签名。这些签名汇集自多个来源，包括社交媒体和其他特定信息。它们被汇总、扫描、分析并融合成一幅图景，然后检测与签名的偏差。

2015年，这种嵌入AI的方法检测到一名可能的ISIS支持者在一艘油轮上，该油轮当时在我们水域。众多船只及其数以万计的船员和货物中，发现了这根“针”。该人员被禁止在新加坡下船。通过现代手段才能在大海捞针般的环境中实现这一点。

我也相信，尽管新加坡国土面积小，但我们可以在国防技术领域领先。为实现这一目标，国防科技局将与我们的国立大学、科学技术研究局（A*STAR）及政府机构如GovTech、总参谋部、国家研究基金会和经济发展局合作，于2018年举办首届新加坡国防技术峰会。

我问工作人员，全球是否已有类似的技术峰会。他们说“还没有”，我回答“那很好，我们来尝试举办。”

此次峰会将提供全球平台，邀请杰出人物和领军人物分享观点，展望未来。不仅如此，还将提供交流机会，扩大我们对创新和理念的接触。因为你我都知道，对于国防来说，这关乎生存。我们必须部署技术，因为其他因素对我们不利。

即使我们成立新的网络司令部和技术实验室，举办首届国防技术峰会，我完全同意张豪斌议员的观点，我们绝不能忽视训练武装部队的常规力量以应对传统威胁，正如傅振邦议员指出的恐怖主义。许多议员都赞同这一点。

我们都知道土地有限，因此我们在海外建设训练设施，比如在与澳大利亚签署全面战略伙伴关系后。但同时，我们必须拥有世界级的本地训练设施。魏克拉姆·奈尔议员谈到他的童年记忆，每当某些营地被拆除时的感受。土地有限，我们理解压力。我们确实需要最低限度的训练营地，但会最大化利用现有资源。我们必须防止过度依赖海外训练场。近期事件已暴露出风险。所有国民服役者不可能只在海外训练，因为大部分训练仍在本地进行，尤其是陆军。

许多曾服役的议员对武装部队训练学院（SAFTI）实弹射击区很熟悉。你我都记得曾被要求冲上彭岗山，接受坚固目标战斗（FOFO）训练，这些都是我们的记忆。但SAFTI实弹射击区建于1960年代，已有50年历史。

正如议员们指出，武装部队已变，城市已变，地形已变，世界已变。议员们问：“武装部队如何应对？有新战术吗？有新教义吗？有新装备吗？”我们认识到这些。答案是肯定的。不仅如此，我们需要反映武装部队将执行的任务和行动的训练场地。为了让武装部队进行真实有效的训练，我们将建设新的SAFTI城，因为即使是维和和人道援助及灾难救援（HADR）任务，也可能在城市和基础设施中进行。

新的SAFTI城建设周期约十年，预计耗资约9亿新元。议员们有资料单。若获主席许可，我认为播放视频更直观。

主席：好的，请播放。[向议员们播放视频。]

黄永宏博士：谢谢主席。细节很多，但我先给大家讲大致思路。新SAFTI城的目标是让任何一个营能够连续跨越不同地形作战，就像真实任务中一样。

因此，它将包括城市和常规地形。城市环境有低矮房屋和高层建筑，开阔地形有丛林、山丘和河流。最大的变化是，我们将利用最先进的训练模拟技术融入作战环境。我们从零开始建设，以实现这一目标。将设有互动靶标和战场效果，如炮击，使士兵训练更真实，并获得充分反馈，了解表现如何。完工后，SAFTI城将使国民服役训练达到更高的真实感和效果。

例如，参与岛屿防御行动的士兵可在SAFTI城内模拟炼油化工厂、仓库、集装箱场和工业建筑训练。第二区将有高层和相连建筑、地下停车场、公交换乘站和地下地铁站，适合反恐和高强度城市作战，正如议员们所谈。第二区还将包括灾难救援用的城市废墟。

SAFTI城周边将建三个新的仪器化战斗回路（iBAC），帮助小单位提升战斗技能，配备摄像头和数据分析，指出个人表现优劣，并反馈每名士兵的表现。可配置不同场景，适用于和平时期应急和常规军事行动。

刘燕玲议员问武装部队如何在审慎国防开支下满足需求，她说得对。我们意识到人口老龄化和经济增长放缓带来的预算压力。正如我向议员们概述的，所有这些新项目需要中期内大量且持续的资源，无法五年内完成。可能需要10、15甚至20年才能完全打造下一代武装部队。但我们会重新调整项目优先级，应对必须面对的挑战。

在此，我非常感谢多年来支持我们的议员们，使我们能够稳定地增加国防预算，持续更新编制和装备，这使我们今天能够发展这些10至15年前未曾预见的新领域。

陆军的翻新豹式坦克和Terrex装甲车仍然年轻。Belrex防护作战支援车去年引入。下一代装甲战斗车辆将于2019年推出。空军今年晚些时候将升级F-16战机，配备新雷达和武器，Aster 30导弹系统将部署以加强防空。海军拥有新的近海任务舰，并将替换两艘Archer级潜艇。我们将在今年晚些时候公布潜艇替换计划。

我们之所以能做到这些，是因为每年我们都将国防开支保持在相当比例，且增长平稳，无大幅波动。即使面对我刚才描述的下一代武装部队的新需求，国防部预计我们的国防预算仍可保持每年3%至4%的增长轨迹，至少能跟上通胀。

罗燕玲议员发表了非常尖锐的评论，指出在我们亚洲地区，军事开支已经超过了欧盟，平均增长率为5.4%。我们的3%至4%低于这个水平，但由于我们有更长时间的稳定开支轨迹，我们可以保持3%至4%的预算预测。但国防部不会犹豫在有新的需求增加或安全环境恶化时推动更高的开支。

国防部和新加坡武装部队（SAF）意识到政府在新加坡人民的大力支持下，每年在国防预算上投入了大量资金。

我要感谢议员们和新加坡人民的持续支持，并向你们保证，我们将尽最大努力充分利用每一分钱的国防预算。正如一些议员所建议的，我们会在可能的地方削减成本。我们通过新加坡共和国海军的新型护卫舰管理系统实现了这一点。该系统将维护时间缩短了93%，为我们节省了4000万新元。另一个例子是陆军的智能弹匣（SMART magazine）。服役的国民服役男兵（NSmen）知道我们因各种原因使用空包弹。但有人想，为什么要用空包弹，为什么不使用可以模拟空包弹的弹匣？这正是智能弹匣的功能。它每年将节省140万新元。这些大大小小的措施体现了节俭的文化，利用创新在不降低武装部队效能的前提下削减成本。

主席女士，请允许我总结，并让国防部第二部长王乙康和高级国务部长马力基稍后回应我未能涵盖的其他议员提出的问题。

武装部队将发展下一代能力，以应对现实世界和网络空间的威胁。我想以吴庆瑞博士最后一次重要公开演讲中的一句话结束。他说：“我们独立最可靠的保障是强大的武装部队。强大的武装部队又依赖于政治意愿去付出努力和代价。”

我认为吴博士的提醒是永恒的。无论我们是作为一个新兴国家的贫穷国家需要投入国防，还是作为一个不断崛起的国家面临其他需求，现在又面对一个老龄化社会和不确定的世界，每一步都需要投资国防，也需要政治意愿。

我要感谢我们国民服役男兵的坚定承诺，议会成员的坚定支持，以及新加坡人民不可动摇的决心。有了这些要素，武装部队随时准备作为和平的守护者和我们生活方式的捍卫者。[掌声]

武装部队在反烟草工作中的角色

提名议员兰道夫·陈：主席女士，武装部队在改善所有服役人员健康和福祉方面发挥着重要作用，尤其是新入伍的国民服役兵（NSF）。由于入伍年龄18岁也正是合法吸烟的年龄，武装部队在解决吸烟问题上的角色因此显得自然而然。

尽管新加坡的吸烟率有所下降，但我们男性人口中吸烟者的比例仍高于许多发达国家。

下午1时

虽然我不知道有任何确凿证据，但男性吸烟比例高的现象恰巧与一些轶事相符，这些轶事表明吸烟在我们的服役人员中仍然很普遍。如果属实，这将在医疗成本和纪律等多个领域产生严重后果。

军队内部对吸烟作为一种流行文化的容忍并不新鲜，甚至早期流行文化中也有所体现。然而，在现代武装部队的背景下，这种现象应被视为背道而驰的，原因有很多。如果现有的军营和训练区禁烟令执行不力，可能会降低训练效果，导致纪律松懈，并对作战人员的实地表现产生连锁反应。如果军队内部容忍吸烟文化，非吸烟者也可能面临困难。例如，如果允许吸烟休息，非吸烟者该怎么办？

虽然军事基地和训练区禁止吸烟，但观察到服役人员和访客会聚集在营区外吸烟。这表明尽管有控烟措施，吸烟文化仍然存在。女士，如果看起来我反对服役人员吸烟，我必须明确表示并非如此。我推动的是明确的指导方针，以防止与吸烟相关的不良纪律文化产生。

鉴于国民服役的重要性及执法不力带来的成本，我敦促国防部对服役人员的吸烟趋势进行研究，调查实现更大幅度减少吸烟率的障碍，并采取积极干预措施，根除基地和训练区内的吸烟文化。女士，我并非建议以戒烟为主要目标，因为这显然会偏离武装部队的职责。但我强烈建议武装部队采取积极措施，确保吸烟率不会无意中上升。

尽管不指望武装部队自行消除吸烟，但应制定策略鼓励吸烟的服役人员戒烟。在此过程中，我建议与吸烟成瘾领域的专家协商，设定切实可行的目标。同时，应积极劝阻服役人员以吸烟作为社交形式聚集。最后，应劝阻那些入伍时非吸烟者在服役期间开始吸烟。

全职国民服役男兵的安全

佩雷拉女士：女士，国民服役是新加坡生活的一部分。然而，在我与居民交流时，安全问题经常被提及，尤其是有儿子和孙子服役的母亲和祖母们。她们信任国防部，但难免有些担忧。她们担心儿孙的健康、体能训练、地形和武器操作。过去一些不幸事件也提醒我们事情可能出错。

国防部已保证，维护训练安全是建设强大专业武装力量的关键。我欣慰地注意到，2013年武装部队将安全列为第八项核心价值。安全与系统审查处（SSRD）成立，负责监督国防部和武装部队的安全与系统审查。SSRD于2013年成立了首个外部审查小组——武装部队安全外部审查小组（ERPSS），在三年任期内审查武装部队安全的各个方面。我想问任期届满后下一步计划是什么？

武装部队多年来一贯重视安全承诺，但流程应不断审视。国防部能否分享为保障国民服役男兵训练安全所做的额外努力，以及如何将这些努力传达给他们的家人和亲人以增强信心？

国民服役男兵的交通津贴

非选区议员陈立丰：女士，我了解到国民服役兵（NSF）可能因工作时间不固定而获准申请交通报销，如出租车费用，以方便工作日单位与家之间的往返。我相信这是为了帮助他们分担交通费用，考虑到他们的国服津贴有限。

对于国民服役男兵（NSmen），并非所有单位在营内训练期间（ICT）都有“留营”政策。女士，有些国民服役男兵没有留营选项或因合理原因无法留营。这些国民服役男兵可能因职责要求仍需很晚离营或很早入营。我想请部长考虑允许部分国民服役男兵申请交通报销，特别是全日制学生或ICT期间失业的国民服役男兵。

在去年的国防预算辩论中，王乙康部长提到本地大学的学生在学习期间被召集参加预备役训练（ORNS）。这些是全日制学生，可能与国服兵无异，他们没有工作也无收入。我也请部长考虑允许正在修读私人课程的全日制学生和ICT期间失业的国民服役男兵享有此福利。他们的指挥官可根据国防部规定的适当条件协助管理这些报销。

我相信允许此类交通报销将帮助部分国民服役男兵应对非正常时间的离营和入营，而无需承担不必要的经济负担。

为国服后生活做准备

阿明议员：未来经济委员会（CFE）的一项举措是“获取和利用深厚技能”，这同样适用于服役国民服役人员。

2015年，国防部和内政部与新加坡劳动力发展局联合举办了国民服役兵职业技能研讨会。这是加强国民服役委员会的建议，旨在帮助国服兵完成全职服役后顺利过渡到职场。

国防部能否详细说明还有哪些计划帮助国服兵为服役后生活做准备？

全民防卫与社会参与

罗燕玲女士：主席女士，去年高级国务部长马力基·奥斯曼博士谈到了全民防卫在应对混合威胁中的重要性。他说，我引用：“虽然新加坡人相信我们先进且训练有素的武装部队保障了我们的家园和生活方式，但我们必须知道安全机构无法单独完成这项工作。”

去年，我在2016年国防预算辩论中表达了对伊斯兰国（ISIS）及恐怖主义对新加坡威胁的严重关切。在过去12个月里，新闻头条似乎更加令人不安。

近期发展也揭示了多种非传统安全威胁。例如，全球无数网络攻击已造成严重现实影响。国家或团体入侵政党和机构，意图影响政治结果。网络攻击者还证明了他们能入侵成千上万个银行账户，窃取受害者辛苦赚来的钱。

我们也了解到本地发生的网络泄露事件，个人信息被盗。一些网络攻击可归因于犯罪分子和恶作剧者，但有技能者利用网络攻击伤害我们的事实令人担忧。如果落入错误之手，网络攻击者可能被训练并用于对新加坡发动更大规模冲突。

同时，我们了解到恶意国家和团体如何利用影响力活动分裂和破坏社区。显然，仅靠军事手段无法应对新加坡面临的广泛安全挑战。即使是美国，其军事开支超过其他几个国家总和，也成为大规模网络攻击和影响力活动的目标。专家认为国家间冲突将越来越多地在战争与和平的灰色地带展开，军事力量甚至可能不参与。这意味着普通公民可能成为针对新加坡的混合攻击前线。我们都听过黄永宏部长早前的讲话，他提到一些国家甚至将混合战争视为合法。

鉴于这些最新发展，国防部能否评估混合威胁的演变情况，以及我们如何加强全民防卫以应对这些威胁？

沙尼尔·萨帕里议员（巴西立-榜鹅）：女士，国防社区关系咨询委员会（ACCORD）向国防部提交了18项提案，旨在增强对国民服役的支持和认可。去年，高级国务部长马力基·奥斯曼更新称，18项提案中已有14项完成。我赞扬政府在落实ACCORD提案方面取得的良好进展。国防部能否提供过去一年剩余提案的实施状态更新？实施剩余提案面临哪些挑战和限制？

李毅贤议员：主席女士，新加坡享有数十年的和平与稳定。在去年的国防预算辩论中，我们了解到年轻一代与开国元勋不同，他们将对峙事件、种族骚乱和独立之路视为学习内容，而非亲身经历或记忆。

鉴于此，我想问国防部如何努力与年轻一代新加坡人就国防问题进行互动，并在青年中培养强烈的国防承诺。我注意到高级国务部长马力基发起了“国防承诺”大使计划，让武装部队开国元勋与年轻一代交流并激励他们。

主席女士，每一代新加坡人都必须面对自身的安全威胁。虽然我们不再处于二战或对峙时期，但新加坡仍面临多方面的安全威胁。仅在过去一年，全球和地区的发展就显示，恐怖主义、网络攻击和假新闻等威胁日益明显，且比我们想象的更接近。

比以往任何时候都更需要武装部队和内务部队以及全体新加坡人的警觉、团结和韧性。鉴于安全环境迅速变化，能否提供国防部全民防卫工作的最新进展，以及其如何与政府其他努力（如SG Secure）相结合？

全民防卫

张浩斌博士：女士，我想向国防部请教：国防部如何持续与新加坡人接触和互动，激励他们学习、实践并具备全民防卫的作战准备？

女士，鉴于战争形态的变化，新加坡有必要审视我们的全民防卫策略。基于本地区的国防开支和新安全威胁，我们需要建设城市和网络战争的防御与作战能力。

每年2月15日为全民防卫日，纪念1942年新加坡沦陷于日本。自1984年以来，组织了多种活动，提醒新加坡人他们在建设强大国家和保卫新加坡中可发挥的作用。

全民防卫的五大支柱，即军事防卫、民防、经济防卫、社会防卫和心理防卫，为新加坡人参与全民防卫提供了框架。尽管付出诸多努力，新加坡人对全民防卫的理解和准备总体不足。

许多新加坡人仍不了解自己在全民防卫五大支柱中的角色。全民防卫的作战准备也不足。

女士，多年前我访问以色列，深受其人民应对恐怖袭击和常规战争的作战准备所震撼。无论年轻人还是老人都准备好应对任何袭击。

事实上，我在那里看到一群持枪青年在市中心街道巡逻。他们尽职尽责地执行任务，确保巡逻区域的安全。

女士，我希望国防部能制定一套全民防卫技能清单，确保新加坡人具备这些技能，从而更有效地参与全民防卫。我们需要不断测试新加坡人在全民防卫中的作战准备。全民防卫需要实用的防卫技能。因此，我敦促国防部让全民防卫变得切实可行，激发新加坡人的战斗精神。

主席：请第二国防部长王乙康发言。

下午1时15分

国防部第二部长（王乙康先生）：上个月，我在德光岛参加了国民服役50周年（NS50）启动仪式。新兵和家属当天到场，我与他们在伙食部共进午餐。饭菜非常好。我问：“这是标准伙食吗？”他们保证每天都是这样，但不会每天吃鸡肉，而是轮换。标准一直保持得很好。

我与许多新兵及其家属交谈，询问他们是否准备好以及感受如何。我感受到年轻人中有自豪感，甚至有些渴望。他们很多人剃了光头然后入伍。虽然剃头发型在营内外都类似，但他们很乐意这样做。我问家长们感受如何，他们都说，国民服役对儿子有好处。

时代变了，新加坡人对国民服役的支持很强烈。一个关键原因是我们看到国服如何将我们凝聚在一起，锻炼了年轻人。另一个重要原因是，经过50年，父辈经历过国服，了解其好处，现在支持儿子经历同样的过程。这是真正的责任代代相传。

今天，我将谈谈如何更好地利用武装部队最宝贵的资源——国民服役男兵，以及如何提升国服体验。

国防部长黄永宏博士曾谈及下一代武装部队，我们必须最大化每位服役人员的才能、专长和贡献。

首先，我们确保每一名士兵都具备个人的“强健”。这就是为什么我们启动了“士兵强健”计划，旨在培养身体强健、心理坚韧并致力于新加坡防卫的士兵。

在“士兵强健”计划下，国民服役军人将能在2017年底投入运营的新士兵表现卓越中心接受强化体能训练。该中心将专注于体能训练方案、士兵营养、预防伤害的预康复方案以及帮助受伤官兵康复的康复训练。中心还将整合关于心理韧性的训练课程，以增强士兵的心理素质。

副教授兰道夫·陈（Assoc Prof Randolph Tan）询问新加坡武装部队如何处理吸烟问题。我们与国家政策保持一致，将继续鼓励官兵保持健康生活方式，减少健康风险因素。如今，武装部队营区和基地内禁止吸烟，除指定吸烟区外，任何营区和基地均不出售香烟。

我们还与卫生促进局合作，为官兵举办戒烟工作坊。但士兵也需要对自己的健康负起个人责任。

其次，我们通过更合理的部署，最大化国民服役军人的贡献。李毅贤先生对此提出了问题。武装部队的技术进步改变了职业性质。对于某些职业，自动化大大降低了体力要求。例如陆军战斗工程兵，过去他们需要抬举和固定桥梁的重型互锁部件。如今，这些桥梁已被第三代机动桥（M3G）取代。M3G通过液压臂的远程接口部署。换言之，现在只需按按钮即可部署一座能承载三辆五吨卡车的桥梁。

由于这些进步，我们一直在审视职业需求，并能根据国民服役军人的体能和能力更有效地部署他们。

第三，我们考虑入伍者的职业兴趣，从而更好地匹配技能和兴趣与部署。李毅贤先生询问职业兴趣计划，傅志豪先生询问如何使国民服役更具吸引力和成就感，并获得社会更好的认可。

我们已实施职业兴趣计划，促进国民服役军人对服役经历的个人认同。自去年11月起，预入伍者已在武装部队、新加坡警察部队和新加坡民防部队的33个职业中表达兴趣。其兴趣将作为确定职业的附加因素，结合适合度、人力和作战需求等其他考虑。

有人认为刚毕业的入伍者在表达职业偏好时，会避开“辛苦”的步兵和卫戍部队，转而选择与其学习领域相关的非战斗职业。确实存在这种看法。但武装部队的经验并非如此，现今大多数入伍者希望尽其所能贡献力量，若可能愿意付出汗水。因此，在最新的征兵中，60%的预入伍者表示对步兵和卫戍部队感兴趣。他们知道训练艰苦，但对他们有益。

维克拉姆·奈尔先生询问网络安全问题。我们将支持黄循财部长宣布的新网络指挥部，发展新的网络职业。该职业将使武装部队能够利用人才保护军事网络和系统。国民服役军人将从今年8月起部署到这些职业。

鉴于网络攻击的频率和复杂性日益增加，我们的网络防御者需具备高超技能。他们将进入一个极具选择性和要求的职业，堪比突击队员或海军潜水员。作为职责的一部分，他们还将支持参谋长办公室在试点计划中保护我们的关键信息基础设施。

具备这些技能的预入伍者将通过本地网络竞赛、训练营和活动以及严格的选拔测试被严格筛选和识别。我预计许多竞赛和选拔将在初级学院、工艺教育学院和理工学院等教育机构进行。这不仅影响被选入该职业的少数人，也将提升学生群体对网络和数字技术的兴趣和专业水平，扩大国家防卫及新加坡日益发展的网络产业的人才库。

接下来谈谈提升国民服役体验的方法。多年来，我们的努力均遵循国防部长特别顾问委员会（CSNS）的建议。

首先是安全，这是训练的关键要素。佩雷拉女士询问如何确保国民服役军人在服役期间的安全。每年有2万个家庭将他们的儿子，且越来越多的女儿托付给我们。我们非常重视安全问题。我们对官兵的安全关切不亚于他们的母亲和祖母。这也是我们保持良好安全记录的原因。

2013年，国防部召集了一个由武装部队外部著名安全专家组成的外部审查小组，审查武装部队的安全状况。

该小组最近完成了为期三年的安全审查，结论是我们的健康和安全体系在国际上属一流，但当然仍有改进空间。一是加强单位层面的安全文化，二是进一步促进对险情的开放报告。武装部队已接受小组的建议，并将改进这些方面。

武装部队也加大力度向国民服役军人的家属和亲人传达我们对安全的重视。由于安全文化必须在单位层面培养，外展工作也必须在单位层面进行。

以海军潜水部队为例，他们特别努力定期与国民服役军人的家属沟通。例如，入伍时会为家属举办简报会，介绍相关情况。在战斗潜水课程毕业典礼上，家属还会观看潜水训练演练视频及参与多项活动。这些都让家长放心，虽然训练项目艰苦，但都是循序渐进、专业且安全地进行。

国民服役作为一项制度的力量在于我们的国民服役军人，因此社会表达对他们的感激非常重要。傅志豪先生询问相关举措。

为纪念国民服役50周年，黄循财部长上月宣布，每名国民服役军人将获得100元购物券，义务兵还将获得一年期的SAFRA或HomeTeamNS会员资格。但正如傅志豪先生指出，购物券无法体现官兵的真正贡献和付出，这只是我们表达“谢谢”的一种小方式。

社会的支持和认可是国民服役军人最强大的动力。我们将在8月的国民服役50周年周鼓励企业和组织感谢和认可他们的国民服役军人。超过250个组织将支持从7月到8月第一周的为期一个月的表彰活动，提供零售折扣、免费纪念品、更友好的国民服役人力资源政策及重申仪式。

丹尼斯·陈先生询问国民服役军人在进行个人训练期（ICT）期间留宿外出的交通津贴。我们必须认识到国民服役是对国家的贡献和牺牲，但我们也从中获得许多无形的经验。因此，我们采取更普遍的做法，提供津贴或服役津贴以支持国民服役军人的基本个人开销。我们定期审查国民服役津贴，确保其适当性。最近一次调整是在2015年12月，进行了上调。

阿姆林·阿敏先生询问国防部如何为国民服役军人退役后的生活做准备。这是一个重要问题，因为学习新技能是国民服役的主要方面之一。这些技能可能是职业技能，如驾驶、维修或作为教官的体能训练，也可能是软技能，如领导力和团队合作。但我们可以更进一步，正式认证国民服役中学到的技能，供国民服役军人未来职业使用。

国防部一直与教育部下属的技能未来新加坡合作开展此项计划。今年起，技能未来新加坡将认证入伍者在基础军事训练中磨练的团队合作技能。事实上，我们在国民服役中学到的团队合作技能，我认为远胜许多商业培训课程。在整个全职国民服役期间，他们还可以获得领导力、技术或专业技能等其他能力认证。

这些成就将反映在国民服役军人在预备役服役日获得的增强版服役证书中。到2018年，证书将更全面，涵盖服役期间获得的奖项、嘉奖和里程碑等额外成就。

虽然认证国民服役中学到的技能是提升国民服役体验的有益举措，但这既非国民服役的主要目标，也非其关键收获。国民服役履行了贡献国家防卫的义务和荣誉。持久的益处是品格和韧性的培养，以及与战友之间建立的友情和战友情谊。最终，成功完成国民服役的人，尤其是在挑战性单位中展现其能力的，体现了其承诺和奉献精神。这应当自明，并被整个社会包括雇主所重视和认可。

下午1时30分

如今，已有超过一百万新加坡人经历了国民服役这一成年礼。裴润庆先生询问国民服役持续的重要性。国民服役仍是我们防卫和安全的基石。训练有素且忠诚的国民服役军人提升了我们的军事能力，使我们在发声时更具可信度。潜在敌人知道，若攻击新加坡，将面对一支全民训练有素、随时准备捍卫主权和自由的民众。

法国和瑞典等国自冷战结束后已废除征兵制，但在当今日益不确定的地缘政治环境下，这些国家正在考虑恢复征兵制。事实上，媒体昨日报道瑞典已决定恢复征兵制。裴润庆先生提到的其他国家——立陶宛、阿联酋和卡塔尔——最近也立法实行强制征兵。他们认识到从和平到敌对的地缘政治环境转变可能毫无预警，而一支有能力且可信的军队无法一夜之间建立。我们应从这些例子中学习，珍惜国民服役这一制度。

最近，我读到《纽约时报》一篇由越战美国海军陆战队老兵卡尔·马兰特斯（Karl Marlantes）撰写的文章。马兰特斯强调美国征兵制的重要性。征兵制让所有符合条件的美国男性拥有共同的为国作战经历，使各背景的美国人都认同自己是美国人。战争结束后，美国军队废除了征兵制，转为全志愿兵制。马兰特斯认为，这剥夺了美国人的共同经历，削弱了美国社会结构，导致今日分裂的政治局面。

正如吴庆瑞博士1967年所言，我引用：“没有什么比参与国防和成为武装部队成员更能迅速且彻底地培养忠诚和国家意识。国防的国家建设作用将在社会各阶层广泛参与时更为显著。”

随着全球化时代的推进，国民服役在国家建设中的作用愈发突出。国民服役是新加坡身份认同的核心部分，不仅对男性如此，也对支持和鼓励国民服役军人贡献和牺牲的母亲、妻子、女儿和女友们如此。

它在社会内部以及社会与政府之间建立了相互信任。我们的国民服役50周年主题“从我的世代到你的世代”强调国民服役是共同责任，仍对新加坡的安全和国家建设至关重要。我们今天拥有的国民服役体系是我们共同的骄傲，并将在未来50年及更长时间继续发展。

主席：国防部高级国务部长莫哈末·马利基。

国防部高级国务部长（莫哈末·马利基·奥斯曼博士）：主席女士，在全球划界和排斥外来者的趋势中，新加坡以其多民族、多宗教的独特品牌脱颖而出。我们拥抱不同文化和信仰，同时构建共同的新加坡身份的原则，是我们成功的基础，并将在未来继续如此。但这绝不能被视为理所当然，正如我们早期宗教紧张和种族骚乱的历史所证明。

作为一个小国，我们仍然容易受到全球和国内压力的影响。面对混合战争，这些压力只会增加。阿姆林·阿敏先生和刘燕玲女士询问混合战争对新加坡构成的威胁。威胁是真实存在且无处不在的。攻击者将继续寻找利用我们对技术日益依赖的方式，针对社会各领域，攻击我们全面防卫的各个支柱。黄部长之前已谈及持续的网络攻击威胁。

信息攻击不那么明显。但历史表明，它们在针对社会各领域时极为有效。1950年玛丽亚·赫托格骚乱源于报纸对法律程序和玛丽亚在修道院居留的事实报道存在竞争版本。这些是媒体对事实的歪曲，被用作穆斯林激进分子反殖民的工具。激进分子利用该事件煽动当时新加坡穆斯林与主要为欧洲和欧亚裔天主教徒之间的敌意，导致18人死亡，173人受伤，财产严重损失。那时新闻传播主要依靠印刷品或口耳相传。

如今信息攻击更为有效和危险，技术渗透我们生活的方方面面。假新闻和错误信息通过WhatsApp和Facebook传播速度大大加快，影响力被放大。例如，现已关闭的网站“真实新加坡”发布虚假声明称一菲律宾家庭的投诉导致2015年大宝森节游行中警方与参与者发生冲突。这是对事实的歪曲，旨在煽动新加坡不同群体间的敌意。该信息迅速传播，若非有识别力的网民举报该“敏感文章”，可能导致社会崩溃，类似玛丽亚·赫托格骚乱，但影响更大。这清楚表明我们必须采取行动保护维系我们团结的纽带。

刘燕玲女士、法蒂玛·拉蒂夫副教授和阿姆林·阿敏先生询问如何应对新的混合威胁。全面防卫已实施33年，仍是我们最佳的防御和应对措施。威胁渠道是新的——社交媒体、互联网和电子设备，但威胁本质相同——歪曲和虚假信息。它们针对的脆弱点也相同——我们的种族、宗教和背景差异。这就是为何五大支柱和每个新加坡人团结一致、发挥作用保护新加坡及我们共同生活方式的核心信息依然重要。我很高兴国防部2016年调查显示，超过80%的新加坡人了解全面防卫，且超过90%的人认为其仍对新加坡重要。

然而，为应对新挑战，我们实践全面防卫的方式必须演变。因此，政府将从“理念转向行动”，帮助新加坡人理解如何在日常生活中践行全面防卫。我们可能会发现全面防卫中的社会和心理支柱将更为突出。

在网络领域，每个人都是第一道防线，通过简单措施防范网络钓鱼和黑客攻击，如为个人设备和在线账户使用强密码。企业也发挥重要作用，采取必要的网络安全措施并培训员工应对潜在风险。最新威胁劫持物联网设备，如家中的安全摄像头和媒体播放器。因此，保护这些设备以及手机和笔记本电脑是网络防御的第一步。

在假新闻领域，同样，每个人都是第一道防线。我们需要对自己阅读和决定在线分享的内容保持明辨和负责任的态度。例如，当你看到一篇令人震惊的文章时，一个好的第一步是用谷歌搜索，看看是否有像英国广播公司（BBC）、路透社或《亚洲新闻台》（Channel NewsAsia）等信誉良好的新闻网站报道此事。如果你发现是假新闻，可能只需向Facebook举报该帖子或发表评论揭露其虚假性。东欧有一个名为“波罗的海精灵”的运动，正是这样做的——对抗网络喷子和虚假信息。我很高兴新加坡人也在积极行动。例如，去年12月，当一条关于可能在热门购物区发生恐怖袭击的Whatsapp消息流传时，许多市民反驳称该消息未经证实，不应传播。夫人，如果可以的话，我想用马来语继续发言。

（马来语）：[请参阅方言发言。] 新加坡人必须对我们自己的社区和机构充满信心，并具备足够的辨别力去质疑、核查并反击假新闻，而不是简单地转发。尤其是假新闻和扭曲新闻对我们的安全产生影响时，这一点更为重要。

尤其如此，鉴于我们在与恐怖组织如ISIS在社交媒体上的意识形态斗争中面临的安全挑战。ISIS想在东南亚建立一个“省”（wilayat）。它已经组建了一个名为Katibah Nusantara的武装团体，约有1000名来自东南亚的志愿者。它还发布了多部以马来语为目标区域穆斯林的宣传视频和杂志。

这些内容旨在煽动对我们社会中不符合ISIS定义的穆斯林群体的敌意和暴力。活跃于社交媒体的年轻人尤其脆弱；观看斩首视频与展示ISIS下理想社会的视频并置，再加上一名战士解释为何每个穆斯林都有义务加入ISIS，随后庆祝其殉难的场景并不难获得。

在我们周边地区，传播排他主义和字面主义伊斯兰倾向的极端主义团体的增长，对我们多宗教社会构成重大威胁。我们已知有31个此类团体宣誓效忠或支持ISIS。

我们的穆夫提和穆斯林团体，如宗教康复小组（RRG），已明确表示ISIS的方法违背伊斯兰教。这些穆斯林团体通过辅导、出版物和演讲积极向社区进行教育。

在个人层面，面对极端主义材料时，我们的第一反应不应是转发，而应先向我们的穆夫提和新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）核实，然后发表评论反驳此类观点。我们不应让排他性思维渗透社区心智。我们必须具备心理韧性，抵制和拒绝那些我们怀疑不真实、极端或排他性的材料，因为它们可能对我们的社会凝聚力产生负面影响。

（英语）：张浩斌博士和李毅贤先生正确指出，总体防卫需要全社会的努力，并询问国防部（MINDEF）在总体防卫方面的努力以及如何与新加坡人接触和互动。国防部将加强我们在公共、私营和民间部门的广泛合作伙伴关系。首先，我们将加强政府内部的紧密协作。上个月，我们与通讯及资讯部和新加坡国家档案馆联合纪念了总体防卫日，同时在前福特工厂开设了重新装修的日本占领展览馆。75年前的那一天，新加坡在此向日本投降。这是一个回顾我们遗产的机会，传达心理和社会防卫的信息，并提醒新加坡人为何我们不能依赖他人来保卫我们的家园。

我们正与内政部（MHA）合作，通过SGSecure鼓励新加坡人将总体防卫付诸行动，抗击恐怖主义，建立社区警觉性、凝聚力和韧性。在新加坡武装部队（SAF）内部，我们培训官兵成为有准备的公民和积极响应者，例如装备他们基本的急救和消防技能，使他们能够以个人身份支持总体防卫的民事支柱。一个例子是共和国空军113中队的军事专家一等（ME1）Gregory Poh。2016年11月，Poh在下班回家途中注意到游乐场一名儿童癫痫发作且停止呼吸，他立即进行心肺复苏，持续稳定儿童状况，并协助赶到的急救人员。

下午1点45分

在SAF之外，我们今年将向所有中学制服团体推出一款总体防卫策略卡牌游戏《城市守护者》。成员们稍后可在图书馆领取一套亲自体验。这款游戏是一个自下而上的倡议，由SGfuture参与者万俊彦设计，他受学生讨论如何更有趣地传达总体防卫课程的启发，并与教育部和内政部合作开发。游戏教育青少年如何基于真实案例，社会如何团结起来更好地准备、应对和恢复恐怖威胁。我们希望通过游戏，青少年能成为同龄人中的总体防卫倡导者。

我们的年轻一代将塑造新加坡的未来。我们希望确保他们对总体防卫有同样的承诺，并具备面对未来威胁和挑战的正确本能。

因此，国防部正与文化、社区及青年部的公民参与委员会及国家青年理事会等合作伙伴合作，从青年的视角展开关于如何建立新加坡心理防卫的对话。

我希望会有更多像Nurul Fatimah这样的青年。她14岁时在本地一所伊斯兰学校读书，决定参加CampTeen，该项目鼓励学生间跨文化友谊。她说：“我生活的九年里，一直认为最好待在自己的舒适区，没有意识到在这个多元文化土地上交往的重要性。现在我知道，共同空间对我们这一代非常重要，但建立纽带并不容易。”现年17岁的她受经历启发，成为OnePeople.sg的积极青年倡导者，该组织运营CampTeen。

第二，我们将通过ACCORD与经济和社区领袖接触。Zainal Sapari先生询问ACCORD提案的实施进展。作为ACCORD主席，我高兴地报告，我们已成功实施了涉及各利益相关方——雇主和企业、家庭和社区以及教育机构的全部18项提案。例如，在“我们支持你服国服役”倡议下，ACCORD家庭与社区委员会鼓励商户和零售商通过提供折扣和优惠支持国服役人员。iDental创始人兼首席牙科医生郑荣华博士在团队提出此倡议时，欣然同意为国服役人员提供金属牙套促销。郑博士引用中国谚语“有国才有家”，解释道：“没有国家就没有家。我相信我们需要一支强大的军队来超越我们的实力。”他并非孤例。最近一项调查显示，96%的雇主认为国服役为新加坡繁荣提供了安全保障。

ACCORD成员还帮助我们接触新公民和永久居民，他们将成为社会不可或缺的一部分。例如，全球印度国际学校和联合世界学院（东南亚），其校长均为ACCORD成员，组织分享会，为700多名学生和家长提供国服役入伍流程信息。曾服役的校友也回校分享经验，传达国服役对新加坡防卫的重要性。

第三，我们将直接接触个人，因为他们可以被赋能发起自己的总体防卫行动。AXA新加坡首席人力资源官Priya Shahane女士引入了一套系统，提前规划员工被召集参加个人训练召集（ICT）时的工作安排。这使得像助理经理潘志强先生这样的AXA员工能无忧参加ICT。Shahane女士还引入措施，允许国服役员工请假准备个人体能测试（IPPT），并奖励金牌获得者额外半天年假，激励他们在IPPT中表现更好。因其努力，Shahane女士于2016年获得个人国服役倡导奖。

夫人，就我个人而言，我相信新加坡同胞会发挥作用，加强我们的总体防卫和国家精神。上个月，当新加坡植物园一棵40米高、6.5米宽的铁树倒塌时，至少有一百名在场者冲上前推开树枝和树干，帮助被树压住的人。这种即时的公民意识反应让我有信心，我们能够适当应对任何挑战，互相支持，并在危机后迅速恢复。

夫人，今年我们纪念新加坡沦陷75周年，提醒我们自身的脆弱。我们以50年的国服役和强大的武装部队，以及全体新加坡人共同参与的总体防卫作出回应。未来或许充满不确定，威胁更难预测。但我们的决心坚定。我们将团结一致，以韧性和信心应对，就像过去一样，度过任何危机，作为一个民族更加强大地崛起。

主席：我们还有一点时间做澄清。Vikram Nair先生。

Vikram Nair先生：有许多有趣的宣布。从我的角度看，最有趣的是关于设立新的部门或小组来应对网络攻击和假新闻。我听说这个团队大约有2600人。这是一个几乎全新创建的组织。我们是否有其他模式可供借鉴，还是我们在开创先例？如果是开创先例，那大约一年后才会启动。我们现有人员是否具备相关能力？如果没有，我们将如何培养，因为这是相当开创性的？

黄永宏博士：夫人，这并非完全是全新创建。你应该还记得，2013年我们宣布成立了网络防御行动中心。我们一直在监控这方面。显然，随着许多系统依赖计算机系统、数据链接，尤其是所有军队，特别是新加坡军队因为依赖技术，我们认识到我们的优势也可能成为弱点。

我们一直在研究其他模式。我曾去法国考察。他们有相当成熟的体系，且组织结构多样，不仅是军队，更重要的是军队如何作为国家网络防御的一部分进行协调。数字领域的本质是其渗透性和连通性，你不能只保护某一部分，因为你会受到影响。

国防部、武装部队和整个政府研究了不同模式，这也是为何网络安全局（CSA）设在总理办公室（PMO）。如果看其他国家，有些设在总理办公室，有些设在国防部，但我们选择了分层结构，CSA作为国家网络安全防御机构设在PMO和通讯及资讯部（MCI）下。这个网络司令部是另一层，主要保护国防部和武装部队。但我们认识到，我们的网络部队、网络士兵可以接受训练并部署，就像保护新加坡的关键实体一样；这是我们正在推广的概念。所以，并非完全全新创建。我们正在大幅提升，因为威胁水平上升，我们认识到损害可能是实质性的。

主席：Cedric Foo先生。

傅志坚先生：关于SAFTI新训练区改造，我认为这是个好主意，也很及时。同时，我想请部长考虑两点。第一，当我们迁移场地并建造新建筑时，不要失去历史和旧训练场地的旧名称。如果彭岗山被改名，那对我们是不利的。

第二，因为是从零开始建设，我们不仅要确保其生产力和战斗效能，也应考虑士兵安全，并将其融入设计中。

黄永宏博士：夫人，我认为议员的观点非常相关。我同意他的看法。我们希望有共鸣，这贯穿整个系统和所有机构。即使我们更新和刷新系统以满足新需求，也希望保留能跨代传承的历史感。所以我会向武装部队反映，由他们决定如何执行。我认为他们不会物理上移除山丘或地形，但即使移除，也可以改为街道名称，我想，但我会交由他们处理。

议员的第二点关于安全非常重要。傅先生完全正确。就像建筑一样，设计时融入安全要容易得多。我在担任人力部长时处理过工作场所的伤亡问题时学到了这一点。例如，有些建筑设计漂亮但难以清洁。设计时融入安全，不仅是建筑本身，也包括建筑的终身维护。在这里，傅先生说的是，在操作过程中，是否可以设计出视频反馈能提醒这是不安全区域？这只是一个例子。所以，是的，我们会考虑这个建议。感谢议员的反馈，我们会采纳。

主席：Nair先生，您愿意撤回您的修正案吗？

Vikram Nair先生：我要感谢黄永宏部长、翁业康二部长和高级国务部长莫哈末·马利基·奥斯曼博士，感谢他们回答我们提出的广泛问题。我们很高兴听到国服役今年庆祝50周年，这个永恒的制度依然强大。我尤其高兴听到年轻人非常热衷于从事战斗岗位。我希望能对我那代人说同样的话，但不确定是否属实。幸运的是，当时没有调查。但我特别高兴，因为根据我个人的轶事经验，我知道有人表示他们也想加入海军潜水部队。

主席：Nair先生，请撤回修正案。

Vikram Nair先生：好的，夫人。抱歉，讲述国服役故事。我感谢国防部和官员们对我们防务的支持。我请求撤回我的修正案。

[(程序文本) 修正案，经许可，撤回。 (程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 主预算中J项下金额13,612,805,500元获批准。 (程序文本)]

[(程序文本) 发展预算中J项下金额839,000,000元获批准。 (程序文本)]

英文原文

SPRS Hansard 原始记录 · 抓取日期：2026-05-02

The Chairman: Head J, Ministry of Defence. Mr Vikram Nair.

11.52 am

Our Security Environment

Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang) : Madam, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head J of the Estimates be reduced by $100".

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the fall of Singapore in World War II. The events in the 20 years since that day have marked the tumultuous journey of Singapore to Independence.

Even after Independence, security became one of our concerns and National Service (NS) started shortly after. This year, we also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NS. Happily, Singapore has grown against the backdrop of domestic peace and prospered. However, security threats remain around us.

In the South China Sea, the United States (US) administration has recently mentioned that they see China's developments of installations in the island as illegal and steps may be taken to stop China from accessing them. China has responded by continuing its security patrols and even sailing its aircraft carrier through the region. While I think conflict is not in either party's interest, the threat certainly seems to be looming amongst the great powers.

Closer to the region, along the Korean peninsula, North Korea has carried out its fifth nuclear test in September 2016. Even closer to home, in the Kuala Lumpur airport, a North Korean national, Kim Jong-Nam, a half-brother of North Korea's leader, was killed under mysterious circumstances. It appears that nerve agent VX, classified as a "weapon of mass destruction", might have been used in the process.

Meanwhile, terror threats that have captured our imagination in recent years continue. Even as the so-called Islamic State loses ground in Iraq and Syria, the terror attacks continue. Last year, these included attacks in Nice, Yemen, Turkey and Bangladesh, with the death tolls in the hundreds. Some of these were organised attacks, while others were lone wolf attacks by self-radicalised individuals. This makes the reach of terrorism far and wide, with lone wolf attacks being particularly difficult to detect.

In the region, too, not all appears comfortable. Indonesia, for the first time in many years, was wrecked by violent demonstrations in Jakarta in response to remarks made by its governor. But physical threats are not the only threats. Just the last few days, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) reported that there was an attack on its cyber systems. Cyberattacks, I think, are a threat that has captured our imagination for a long time but now it seems to have come very close to home.

The security threats we face come from far, wide, in many forms, and MINDEF is very much in the frontline to deal with many of these. For this reason, I would like to open this debate by asking what MINDEF sees as the most salient security challenges facing Singapore today, both conventional and unconventional.

[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]

The Chairman : Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef.

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade) : Madam, can I take both cuts together?

The Chairman : Yes, please.

Peace and Security

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef : Our Strategic Framework Agreement with the US formalised our bilateral security and defence relationship. This agreement allows the US access to facilities on a rotational basis without bringing up sensitive sovereignty issues. Singapore's sophisticated facilities and political standing in the region allows us to host the US thus.

In recent times, much change and transformation are shaping up. These include the newly elected US President and also a rising China, with certain observable characteristics. Trump's administration leaves a lot of uncertainties on outcomes in these relations. The leadership in both countries is becoming more unpredictable. Whilst China wants to exercise influence, the US stand is also unclear and in limbo. What is MINDEF's view of this complex, transitional issue, which will have implications on our security and growth, both regionally and globally? Are there anticipated changes expected in our defence relations with the US and China, knowing that maintaining strong relations is important for us.

Regional Peace and Security

Today, besides traditional security issues, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is confronted with complex, non-traditional threats, namely, in the form of terrorism and transnational crimes. These may include trafficking, money laundering, cybercrimes and even people smuggling. The region is also not exempt from threats of nuclear weapons as well.

A closer and stronger cooperation and alignment is necessary, bilaterally as well as with our multilateral partnerships and an understanding must continue to be inculcated and strengthened. One particular area is certainly defence relations.

How is Singapore working with our ASEAN partners and others in the region in the areas of, firstly, conflict prevention, mitigation and mediation; secondly, counter terrorism and transnational crimes curbing; and thirdly, peacekeeping activities and operations, including maritime security? Finally, are there also newer areas of cooperation that we are working on together?

Military Ties with Malaysia and Indonesia

Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied) : Mdm Chairperson, at the recent Seventh Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Najib reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and reiterated the importance of defence cooperation between the two countries and to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. A month earlier, the latest in a long series of the Semangat Bersatu joint military exercises between the Malaysian and Singaporean armies was successfully concluded.

While it remains important to remember that such exercises were halted when relations turn sour in the past, the reality of the geopolitical environment today emphasises the importance of greater defence cooperation and not less, so as to improve bilateral and regional security.

To that end, is the Ministry considering the introduction of newer confidence-building initiatives with both Malaysia and Indonesia, in addition to the Malacca Straits patrol, the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus frameworks? In previous cuts, I have suggested pursuing the prospects of joint peacekeeping initiatives and training for international assignments. Is the Ministry considering newer areas for military-to-military cooperation with Malaysia, beyond those like the Semangat Bersatu exercise series, so as to take advantage of the goodwill arising out of the political relationship with a view to more durable ties in future?

In contrast, while the political relationship with Indonesia is more complex, as a result of the politically diverse and more representative democratic terrain today, the military relationship appears to be an all-weather one despite occasional political turbulence. Yet, 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the yet to be implemented Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Singapore and Indonesia.

As Members would remember, DCA was linked to an extradition treaty between both countries. In 2007, Indonesia sought to review DCA after agreeing details with Singapore, while Singapore insisted that negotiations were complete. All this resulted in a package agreement that was stillborn.

In April last year, however, Jakarta confirmed that it was intensifying cooperation in law enforcement in lieu of an extradition treaty and was reported to have given Singapore a list of fugitives, for follow-up and assistance. In light of the 50th Anniversary of Singapore-Indonesia diplomatic ties and the signing of the Eastern Boundary Treaty, what is the Ministry's perspective of initiating fresh discussions on DCA in the name of renewed military cooperation and stronger diplomatic links between both countries?

The Chairman : Mr Amrin Amin, you have two cuts, please take them together.

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Combating Fake News

Mr Amrin Amin (Sembawang) : As a multiracial and multi-religious country, disinformation campaigns and fake news can erode trust among various groups, and this can be exploited by external parties. Minister Ng Eng Hen had also warned in 2013 that some types of false news could have exponential consequences which could undermine our national security. Online misinformation could spread widely during tense or volatile situations, causing confusion and chaos which could weaken the community's resolve and cause disunity. How is MINDEF preparing to respond to such threats in the information domain? What role can each Singaporean play?

Vulnerability to Hybrid Attacks

Last year, Minister Ng talked about the "troubled peace" that we will face in an increasingly volatile and borderless environment. We have witnessed recently alleged state-directed hybrid attacks which combine conventional and unofficial military means with cyber warfare, propaganda and indirect tactics. How prevalent are such attacks in our region and are we vulnerable? What can be done to guard Singapore against such attacks?

Expanded Security Threats

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng (Pioneer) : Madam, today's threats facing Singapore have broadened, as others before me have spoken about. Beyond conventional war, there are areas, including terrorism, cybersecurity, pandemic management, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The year 2016 alone has seen a wide spate of terror attacks around the world. Closer to home, Singapore itself has been targeted by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in the aftermath of 9/11, and also in August last year by a militant group planning to launch a rocket at Singapore's Marina Bay. The unveiling of this foiled terrorist attack highlighted the real possibility of future terrorist attacks in Singapore.

The training syllabus of National Servicemen (NSmen) and full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), as some of us know it, was largely based on conventional armed conflict. I would like to know if the syllabus has since been updated to cover these new areas of threats and challenges. Specifically, I would like to ask the Minister if MINDEF has put in sufficient preparations such that our Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel are trained for roles in counterterrorism and are equipped with the necessary intelligence, skillsets, technology and equipment to deal with terrorism. More importantly, in the event of an attack in Singapore, are our servicemen trained to deal with its aftermath? Indeed, is our population prepared to deal with such an aftermath and relief efforts?

Cybersecurity, as others have pointed out, is also particularly important to Singapore because our vision is to become an even smarter city. The recent breach of our I-net system clearly illustrated our vulnerability and showed us how hard it is to defend against determined hackers. Cyber terrorism can also potentially cripple us in Singapore as we leverage the Internet and conduct increasingly a large part of our daily lives on the Net.

I would also like to ask the Minister how MINDEF and other Government agencies, such as the Cyber Security Agency (CSA), GovTech and so on, are preparing to strengthen our cybersecurity, and what measures are in place to mitigate the damage if breached?

Cyberattacks and Cybersecurity

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef : Chairman, in the Mumbai terrorist bombing incident not too long ago, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices featured strongly in the coordination and execution phases. Cyberattacks are, indeed, growing in volume by the day and pose very complex and unique challenges. The emergence of sophisticated information systems has, indeed, transformed the world we live in today. Cyber threats do not fit in readily into the traditional security framework that exists in most modern states today. New approaches are crucial and the appropriate and balanced role of the military is central to this. The work from King's College London breaks down these threats into: (a) espionage, (b) subversion, (c) sabotage, (d) cybercrime and, finally, (e) cyber war, which is less common.

The military response is not the only response but part of a concerted and consolidated approach, including legal and political responses and so on. How is MINDEF approaching this issue and also how is it being coordinated with other agencies in Singapore, such as the law enforcement agencies that we have here? How does this framework fit into our national cybersecurity ecosystem?

Investing in Defence Technology

Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo (East Coast) : With the pervasive revolution we are experiencing, technology is pervasive and impacting many aspects of our work and life.

Unlike previous industrial revolutions, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is evolving at an exponential pace. This revolution is characterised by the emergence of a range of technologies fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, creating new ways in which technology is immersed in our lives. These include technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, nanotechnology and quantum computing.

We know that technology enables possibilities and it is an important part of MINDEF's transformation effort to build the next-generation SAF. But the differentiator is not just technology but how technology is used. That requires people and talent.

The Defence Technology Community (DTC), which started in 1966, comprising the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and DSO National Laboratories (DSO), as well as MINDEF's Future Systems and Technology Directorate, and Defence Industry and Systems Office, has grown to a 5,000-strong community today.

In his speech marking the 50th Anniversary of DTC, President Tony Tan described DTC as standing at the forefront of scientific and engineering discovery. DTC pioneers have played a key role in shaping Singapore's defence technology.

Can the Minister share how MINDEF is tapping on these emerging technologies in support of Singapore's defence? Apart from leveraging technology, how is MINDEF engaging its talent base to build the capacity and capabilities to realise the potential of these emerging technologies?

Drones' Threat to National Security

Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar) : Chairman, drones are becoming more common and sophisticated. They will grow to be an integral part of our lives due to their many useful applications, from logistics to transport, photography, videos and even patrols. But in the wrong hands, they can be a threat to our national security.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had established a new unmanned aircraft unit, comprising of fleets of modified drones equipped with bombs.

Drones can be easily bought and transported. They can be launched from almost anywhere and once they are airborne, they can reach any location within a few kilometres in minutes. The smaller ones are almost undetectable in flight. Current radar systems are designed to track larger aircrafts.

Drones can be used to deliver goods. For those with bad intentions, such items may include poisonous powders or gases like sarin, incendiary devices, grenades and bombs.

More worrying, it can be very difficult to trace the owner and operator of a drone. The risk of detection during the process of transporting, launching and operating one is low.

Do we have the controls and infrastructure in place to regulate the access of drones? What is MINDEF's assessment of the threat drones pose to Singapore now and in the future? What measures does the Ministry have to ensure our national security will not be compromised with the increasingly widespread use of drones in our daily lives and in the near future?

Investment in Defence Technology

Mr Vikram Nair : As a small country, technology is going to be fundamental to our defence. What is equally important is developing our own technology.

I have personally seen how important these changes can be. I was in a group of NSmen that did NS with the M-16. Later on in reservist, I was acquainted with the SAR-21, a wholely modified weapon. I have also seen the wonderful difference this makes. I used to barely pass my shooting tests when I was in NS. With the SAR-21, my entire section became marksmen. So, there is tremendous improvement in productivity with our homegrown weapons.

One of the important things, of course, is whether we can get enough people to develop these weapons, these homegrown technologies. We need people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds or fields. What is MINDEF doing to ensure that we have enough people with background in STEM to ensure that we will maintain our own capabilities to develop such technology?

SAF

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Mdm Chair, in 1965, Singapore became an Independent state. We set up SAF soon after that. Over the years, we have continually modernised SAF which gave rise to the Second Generation SAF in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2004, we created the Third Generation (3G) SAF. This transformation journey upgraded our systems to becoming an advanced networked force with leading-edge capabilities.

Today, the threats facing Singapore have, indeed, expanded. SAF remains more important than ever to defend Singapore against a broad array of such threats.

Even as the threats have broadened, the Singaporean manpower that SAF can draw upon will soon shrink as our total fertility rate has been low for many years. How would SAF do more with less manpower available to it? How have we leveraged on technologies, as Mr Vikram Nair has spoken about, to improve our productivity, combat effectiveness and, of course, expand the number of marksmen?

Can the Minister provide an overview of the SAF's capabilities and readiness on land, at sea and in the air, and, indeed, in space through satellites, to effectively defend Singapore against such a broad array of threats? MINDEF will have many busy years ahead.

Resource Challenges

Ms Low Yen Ling (Chua Chu Kang) : Mdm Chair, in November last year, Prime Minister Lee spoke of slower economic growth as being the new normal. Indeed, we are going through an economic transition. Trade has been slowing and our local workforce growth is nearing its limits.

As the Finance Minister noted in the Budget Statement, many developed economies going through the same transition have seen their annual gross domestic product growth decelerate to 1% or lower. Against the backdrop of this new normal and, given the growing requirements in areas, such as healthcare and infrastructure, it seems that the current fiscal climate is one of prudence. The Finance Minister noted that with our spending needs increasing, the Government must continue to spend judiciously, emphasise value-for-money and drive innovation in delivery.

Every Ministry has a part to play in ensuring prudent spending in order to better prepare for the future. However, we observe that in the area of defence and security, regional countries' defence spending is at its highest ever. Asia has spent more on its defence than Europe in absolute dollars since 2012. We also observe that the countries in our region will continue to increase the defence spending at even faster rates than the rest of the world in the years ahead. In fact, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 2014 to 2015 alone, there was a 5.4% increase in military expenditure in Asia and Oceania, which far surpasses the 1% increase in defence spending globally.

Our security environment is increasingly complex and unpredictable. I recognise that MINDEF must still invest in the necessary resources to ensure that SAF is able to defend Singapore and Singaporeans against different threats to our security. Can MINDEF elaborate on how it remains prudent whilst still ensuring that SAF has the resources it needs to keep Singapore safe and secure?

The Chairman: Mr Vikram Nair, you can take your two cuts together.

Mr Vikram Nair : Mdm Chair, as a small country, SAF competes for use of land with many other uses. Most recently, the acquisition of Paya Lebar Air Base was announced. I have fond memories of Paya Lebar Air Base because my mother was a psychologist there and I used to go there as a child. That camp will probably not be there in a few years' time.

The camp where I did my NS, Nee Soon Camp, will probably not be functioning as a Basic Military Training (BMT) camp anymore. In fact, I think it has already stopped functioning as one. Bit by bit, we see a long list of training areas and camps that SAF used to use being given up. Whether it is the Air Force, Navy or Army, all three services require land to train. Given local land scarcity and increasing demand for land for other uses, how will SAF ensure that our soldiers receive the necessary training?

National Service

As I mentioned earlier, this is also our 50th Anniversary of NS. NS has become a Singapore institution. Not only is it a fundamental part of our national defence, it is also an important part of our national identity. It is the one basis on which men easily relate to one another; and women can easily relate to one another as well talking about what men go through.

One of the fundamental issues we face with NS is our declining population, and cohorts are likely to get smaller and smaller each year. Each NSman will, therefore, become even more precious. What step is MINDEF taking to ensure that each NSman receives adequate training, his potential is well used and whatever capabilities he has will be well maximised?

Related to this are the new form of threats we face. Many of the earlier speakers have alluded to the threat faced by cyberattacks, hybrid warfare, and these threats are likely to become even more important in future. We will need to develop our capabilities to defend against cyberattacks and, potentially, even to use them as part of a counterattack in a broader defence strategy. The fact that MINDEF's own servers were hacked just a few days ago highlights how real and imminent this threat is.

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But dealing with this threat also requires people, and the skills required for this are highly specialised and the people with those skills are likely to be few.

What are the recommendations from the Committee on the Future Economy in relation to this? It suggested using NSmen to boost our pool of cyber talent to deal with such threats. I understand that other countries, such as Israel, also use national servicemen to deal with cybersecurity threats.

Can MINDEF provide details on whether it plans to implement these suggestions from the Committee on the Future Economy and, if so, how it plans to do so?

Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines) : Madam, at the launch of NS50 last month, Minister Ng Eng Hen said that 50 years ago, "We pledged at the founding of our nation that we would never allow the circumstances that occurred in 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese during World War II to recur". Minister Ng spoke of the contributions of our Pioneer Generation of NSmen, noting that, in their time, "Singapore was threatened by Konfrontasi, the communist insurgency in Malaya and the possible fallout from the Vietnam War".

When it was first started, NS was essential for the defence of a young nation. Our Pioneer Generation of NSmen was tasked with defending Singapore at a time when there was barely an SAF to speak of.

Fifty years on, our region has benefited from several decades of relative peace and stability. We have a strong and capable SAF that has protected Singapore's borders and interests. Singapore is thriving and secure.

Around the world, other countries, such as Lithuania, France and Sweden, have ended conscription, but, more recently, some are thinking of bringing it back.

Against this backdrop, what role does NS play for Singapore and is it still as important? How does MINDEF continuously remind people, including would-be enlistees, NSFs, NSmen, as well as their families, employers and the public at large, of the evolving role but continued importance of NS?

Dr Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) : Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following:

Due to the changing landscape in warfare, how does MINDEF evolve its training and operations to meet new challenges in urban warfare?

Madam, this year, Singapore celebrates 50 years of NS. Many male Singaporeans who have served NS understand the importance of defending Singapore and have developed the resolve to protect our land.

However, most of them were trained in conventional tactics, such as jungle warfare, which may not be relevant in today's hybrid warfare threats. Hybrid warfare is a military concept that involves using conventional weapons and unconventional tools, such as economic sanctions and communications, to achieve victory without resorting to open war.

Madam, in today's densely built-up areas and changing threats, both within and outside Singapore, the operating environment for warfare has changed quite drastically. Therefore, we need to review our training doctrines and outcomes to develop new capabilities in our defence force.

Besides training our NSFs and regular Servicemen on new capabilities, we also need to develop a training roadmap to upgrade the capabilities of our NSmen.

Madam, in my opinion, we should focus on three areas to strengthen our defence force. First, develop fighting capabilities in built-up areas for urban warfare; second, develop information and communications capabilities to counter cyberattacks; and third, develop attack capabilities to deter or destroy any aggressors to our country.

Mr Lee Yi Shyan (East Coast) : Mdm Chair, in June 2014, the Government accepted 30 recommendations proposed by the Committee to Strengthen NS (CSNS). This Committee was made up of members from diverse backgrounds, including Members of this House, all tasked with reviewing how NS could be strengthened to better serve Singapore and Singaporeans.

The CSNS Report cited a survey done by the Institute of Policy Studies where 97% of respondents felt that more could be done to match Servicemen's personal skills and abilities with NS vocations. The Report also noted that CSNS had studied the Finnish and Swiss NS systems, both of which enjoy strong public support, and noted that both the Finns and the Swiss had some form of policy where conscripts could indicate their vocational preferences when enlisted.

Based on these findings, one of the CSNS recommendations was to consider the vocational interests of NSFs when assigning them to vocations. In line with CSNS' recommendations, MINDEF allowed the first cohort of pre-enlistees under the new initiative to indicate vocational preferences when they reported to the Central Manpower Base in November last year.

Can MINDEF provide an update on the vocational interest initiative? Are there other ways in SAF that are being reviewed to better deploy its Servicemen?

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Madam, NS is a sacred duty for all male Singaporean Citizens and second-generation Permanent Residents. It is the cornerstone of Singapore's defence and security. For many Singaporean men, it is a rite of passage where he leaves the comforts of his home at the young age of 18 and takes on the commitment of defending his country, family and friends. Men, regardless of social status, race or religion, train hand in hand, look out for one another and overcome challenging tasks as one people. This "social glue" that is forged through NS is, indeed, a precious outcome for the country.

Given that NSmen give their time to train and defend this nation, it would be right for MINDEF to improve the NS experience. How have MINDEF done this over the years and are there recent initiatives to improve NSmen's engagement and fulfilment? The NS Orbat (Order of Battle) is understandably different because its mission is different from the civilian sector, and we draw the entire cohort of men from the civilian sector. However, to the extent that we can match the private sector interest of the NSmen to their NS vocation, MINDEF will get more out of them, and they more out of NS.

Given the importance of our NSmen to Singapore, we, no doubt, should recognise their contributions and efforts. In fact, we should go further and also recognise those who supported them through NS ‒ parents, spouses, girlfriends and so forth.

I am all for SAF Reservists Association (SAFRA) membership recognition and for also highlighting NS contributions to their employers. I think that has gone a long way to recognising them. But as for monetary rewards, I am ambivalent. We ought to strike the right balance, lest we reduce NS duty to a mere commercial transaction.

Can the Minister highlight what other NS recognition programmes and how else we can do to make NS more fulfilling for our NSmen?

The Minister for Defence (Dr Ng Eng Hen) : Madam, let me first thank the many Members for their speeches. As I was listening to them, I had generally two reactions.

One, I am thankful that we have even helped some people improve their marksmanship. We will take credit where credit is due and even when it is not sometimes. I am thankful for the support across the aisles. Whether you are of any political affiliation, Non-Constituency Member, Nominated Member ‒ I am very thankful that the support for defence is across all parties.

The second reaction was one of agreement. In fact, I could agree with everything, almost all points brought up by Members of Parliament (MPs). And if you listen to their speeches, it was a tour de force of the changing security environment − how the world is, indeed, unpredictable; how new threats are on the horizon and even upon us. And yet, because we are under pressure with other increased needs, how can SAF and Singapore respond to these threats with the budget allocated? So, there is total agreement with what the Members said.

Their speeches capture the essence of the new security environment for which Singapore and Singaporeans must, indeed, prepare for, and which SAF must adapt to, to protect our sovereignty and defend our home. Mr Cedric Foo and Dr Teo Ho Pin spoke about this. We have talked about the 3G transformation for a number of years. But a new environment is upon us.

And like Members here, we recognise that this year is a very special year ‒ 75 years since the fall of Singapore, 50 years since NS' inception. Together with all Members here, we want to thank the more than one million committed NSmen who have done their duty faithfully and built a strong SAF to protect Singapore and Singaporeans these past decades. Even as we laud their individual contributions, I agree with Members here that SAF must now undertake critical steps to better protect Singapore in this new security environment. As we did for the 3G SAF transformation efforts, SAF must once again transform to the Next Generation SAF, to be better positioned for the future. Major parts of my speech will focus on this.

I agree with Members here that the world, indeed, is at an inflexion point. Interview any world leader now and he will say so. Even if world leaders do not say so, our citizens can feel that turbulence, that change to come. What is happening?

The last 25 years after the Cold War were marked by rapid globalisation and relative peace despite the threat of extremist terrorism, which we do not underplay. This relative peace was so much so that militaries in the European Union (EU) physically downsized. I remember when I visited Germany, when I first went to their Ministry of Defence, the Bundeswehr was talking about a one-third reduction, a significant reduction. There were good reasons. They wanted to reap the peace dividend of a united Europe against what was perceived to be a declining Russia.

In Asia, it was a good three decades. China's economy grew for 30 years phenomenally at an average of 10% every year. India's economy also grew, albeit at a slower rate of about 6% per annum over a similar period from 1979 for 30 years. This massive growth lifted all boats in the global economy, particularly for Asia, including ASEAN, which grew an average of 6% per annum, well above the global average of 4%.

That era we are witnessing is now changing trajectory, as the benefits of globalisation have not been uniform either within or across countries. And the so-called "ills" of globalisation related to migration and job disruption have eroded popular support in many countries, never mind the benefits of hundreds of millions lifted out of poverty.

So, instead of the optimism and hope that greeted the end of the Cold War, uncertainty prevails today. There is uncertainty about what "America First" means for global leadership and trade, especially if the erstwhile or current global leader of global trade is not part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership; uncertainty in Asia about how the US-China strategic rivalry will impact Asia and us, as many Members have said before me, especially the pressure on small states like Singapore to choose sides.

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Across Europe, still reeling from the global economic crisis in 2008, there is uncertainty about the security threat against some of its members. Many Members have mentioned Sweden, not just one state but across Europe. There is even concern over the existence of EU itself, especially when far-right parties that push for the equivalent of Brexit are gaining ground.

Many Members here have reflected these uncertainties, including Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef, who asked whether we were vulnerable. Indeed, we are vulnerable. And we should accept that the geopolitics will be turbulent and that Singapore has to prepare for choppy waters. But at the same time, our national strategy to deal with this uncertainty is still sound. It is a simple strategy, one based, firstly, on a strong SAF supported by Total Defence, which we have, with your support, steadily invested resources into every year.

Secondly, as Members here have mentioned, including Mr Pritam Singh, good relations with our neighbours coupled with very strong partnerships with like-minded countries. Some Members, including Mr Pritam Singh, have asked what our relations are with our immediate neighbours, and I will tell you that, generally, they are excellent and, indeed, we cooperate on many fronts. The Malacca Straits Patrol, as was mentioned, marked its 10th anniversary last year. There continues to be solid support for FPDA, now into its 46th year. The 18-nation ADMM-Plus has made good progress, with many working groups dealing with different security challenges.

Mr Pritam Singh asked whether we should have more platforms for cooperation. We are open to that. Anything that improves military-to-military cooperation, we will undertake. But we have to understand that, in some aspects, we wait to be invited, for example, the new Sulu Seas Patrols. We have already availed our resources from our Information Fusion Centre in Changi Naval Base to the Sulu Seas Patrols, because that is part of our interest. For other initiatives, we will lean forward if other countries want us to participate further.

We signed an enhanced DCA with the US in 2015 and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia last year. Our bilateral relations with China and India have also grown. In 2014, Members will remember that General Chang Wanquan and I agreed on a "Four Point Consensus" in which we affirmed principles and substantive steps to strengthen our bilateral defence cooperation. For India, Minister Manohar Parrikar and I also signed the revised DCA in 2015 and we are now exploring stepping up collaboration in areas, such as maritime security and counterterrorism.

These strong partnerships stand us in good stead but, ultimately, it is the Next Generation SAF's primary mission and responsibility to deal with security threats in this 21st century, as Members here have said. We know that it is fully in our court, that SAF must stand ready. And I agree with Members that this includes the threat of cyberattacks and fake news.

Two years ago, I brought up the issue of hybrid warfare in the Committee of Supply (COS) debates. It was not a very much bandied word; in fact, it was a very uncommon word. But today, as I listened to Members' speeches, it has become so common, so well-known only within a short space of two years. The threat has progressively risen. I just came back from the Munich Security Conference and, there, Chancellor Merkel stated openly that some countries considered hybrid warfare to be legitimate. She is not wrong. Last week, the Financial Times had a full write-up on cyber warfare. Let me quote a salient paragraph.

"Russia's military does not tend to talk of cyber warfare, as the West does, in tightly proscribed, legally measured actions, but rather discusses the broader concept of an information war, a concept that precedes the Soviet era, in which the toolkit has been brought up to speed for the digital era." The article continued that the Russian Defence Minister confirmed the existence of information troops, rumoured for years but long denied by officials. They quoted the Russian Defence Minister, "Propaganda must be smart, literate and effective," he told the Lower House of Parliament. Russia spends $300 million annually on its "Cyber Army" of about 1,000 people, according to the Kommersant, their local newspaper.

This is the head of a government − the German government − saying that there are countries around them which consider this legitimate. Defence ministers coming out openly to say that "This is part of my Orbat and part of my mission." There is doctrine, there is training, there is execution. Russia is not alone, as other countries, too, have been reported to have cyber battalions, even cyber divisions in their military and ministries. And I agree completely with Members here that the Next Generation SAF needs to prepare for this environment where state-orchestrated cyber and information campaigns against another state are not only considered legitimate but can be ongoing all the time. The impact of that threat can have real and damaging physical consequences. Let me give Members some examples.

Ukraine's power grid has been hit by several cyberattacks, and one such attack in December 2015 cut off power to an area about 20 times the size of Singapore, and this was in the middle of winter. Estonia is a small nation with about 1.3 million people. Their people and government understand this threat particularly well, because they have been a target of well-orchestrated cyberattacks since 2007 for the last decade, so much so that Estonia plans to make a digital copy of the entire nation, everything from birth records, property deeds, bank data, all government records. They want to do this and store it in another location, a secret location, in the United Kingdom or Luxembourg. At least, they have given you the two places they want to store the information.

Why do they want to do this? Just imagine. We had 850 personal information stolen. Suppose somebody burrows into our Central Provident Fund records, death and registry records, housing records and demolishes them. There will be utter chaos for any nation.

Even elections can be influenced by orchestrated cyberattacks. The Democratic National Committee was hacked in the last US Presidential Elections, with thousands of documents released by unknown sources meant to discredit its candidate. The Financial Times alleged that the Russians have already compromised the servers of political parties in France and Germany which are going to have elections. I do not know how the Financial Times knows this, but they have reported it. Nearer to home, Members mentioned Indonesia, that it did, indeed, inflame ethnic and political tensions. And Indonesia has responded by establishing an agency to counter cybercrime and fake news.

Our best defence against this information warfare is Total Defence, which has stood the test of time. I will leave it to Senior Minister of State Maliki to elaborate how we need to update and refresh Total Defence in response to these hybrid threats.

But modern militaries can no longer choose to ignore these external threats through the digital front. We will be silly to do so and be derelict in our responsibility. As it happens, we have prepared this speech for some weeks now, but MINDEF recently disclosed a breach in its I-net system. Plans for this speech were prepared before we detected that breach. It is not a surprise. It is no revelation when I tell Members that we can expect more such cyberattacks in the future. Indeed, it was that potential of the cyber threat which was recognised early, which is why, even from inception, for SAF, our classified and operational networks were separated from the Internet since we had those systems. We understood then. But the threat is now material and even greater. I agree completely with Members that SAF will need to step up its cyber defences, even as the level of this threat increases.

Mr Cedric Foo asked pointedly about our efforts to combat these new threats. In a clear and unmitigated recognition that the cyber domain is the battlefield today, MINDEF and SAF will stand up a new cyber command. It will be called the Defence Cyber Organisation (DCO) and placed at the highest level of our organisational hierarchy. This new cyber command will be led by a Deputy Secretary. It will comprise four major formations, each commanded by at least a Colonel or flag officer, a General or an Admiral, within MINDEF and SAF.

The cyber command will oversee policies, train cyber units to monitor and defend our networks 24/7 from threats, which will assess vulnerabilities, detect attempted intrusions and breaches in the system. SAF must keep up with the tactics and operations of aggressors in the cyber realm, something which Member Teo Ho Pin spoke about, and because this is a never-ending game, as we do in conventional warfare.

In the steady state, DCO will have about 2,600 soldiers, supported by scientists and engineers in DSTA and DSO. This is a significant build-up from the current numbers and it reflects the importance of this new battlefront. In response to Members, this is a clear signal. We agree with you. SAF and MINDEF will step up.

NSmen − some Members have asked − yes, NSmen will also be trained in vocations for cyber defence. It will be silly for us not to; they are our main resource. And just as security troopers now physically protect key installations, we will deploy these NS cyber defenders to protect our installations together with CSA. Minister Ong Ye Kung will elaborate on this.

Some Members like Ms Jessica Tan have asked about technology and how we will deploy resources. Modern militaries are powered by technology. There is no running away from it, especially so for Singapore. As Members have rightly pointed out, we will see a fall in manpower, and our defence technology organisations will gear up to support these changes.

Mr Vikram Nair asked about our STEM recruitment efforts. He is quite right. We now have a 5,000-strong and growing community of defence engineers and scientists. We will increase such scholarships and awards by 40% by 2025. So, 170 from 120 today. The pinnacle Public Service Commission Scholarship (Engineering) within MINDEF will be awarded this year.

Two new labs will be set up so that we can focus our efforts, just as many Members talked about leveraging technology, which I completely agree with. One lab will be DSO's, which will set up the robotics lab. DSTA's new lab will exploit AI and data analytics. We will give these two new labs a seed grant of $45 million annually as a start, so that they can lead in more experimentation and innovation. We are at the front edge of this, and it is not as if you can buy commercial software easily, so you will have to invest in resources to kickstart the process.

The work on robotics has already begun. Six Singapore Infantry Regiment soldiers are currently experimenting with unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to perform their missions. The Navy has gone further. The Navy is putting Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) which can navigate and avoid collisions autonomously into operations. Let me make this clear: it is not a remote control device, it is an autonomous device.

SAF, working with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has already deployed and developed countermeasures against potential drone attacks. This is something that Member Joan Pereira asked about. We recognise this threat. This is a real threat. We are monitoring these aspects, such as developments in Iraq and Syria. But we are not taking it lightly and, in fact, this is an issue that was discussed at the Security Policy Review Committee that is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo. And whether you know it or not, in the last National Day Parade that was held at the National Stadium, these systems were already deployed, not only to detect, but countermeasures. Laws, as you will remember, were also recently enacted by this House and legislation gazetted so that we can have powers.

The Analytics and AI Lab will exploit the mega volumes of realtime information that can be derived from the Internet of Things and platforms. We have many platforms, and I agree with Members that not only are we vulnerable, but we need to exploit it. Because the realisable potential is enormous. Let me give Members just one example.

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Every single day, there are about 1,500 commercial ships that ply our waters. The Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre uses a particular programme with AI embedded to generate unique signatures for each of these vessels in our waters. These individual signatures are collated from multiple sources, which include social media and other specific information. They are collated, scanned, made sense of and fused to give one picture. Then, it detects deviations from this signature.

This AI-embedded method detected a possible ISIS supporter on board a tanker that was in our waters in 2015. So, among all the ships, among the tens and hundreds of thousands of occupants, cargo, they detected a possible ISIS supporter. That person was barred from disembarking into Singapore. Finding this needle in a big haystack is only possible through modern means.

I also believe that Singapore can take the lead in defence technology even though we are small. So, to achieve that aspiration, DSTA, together with our national universities and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research and Government agencies like GovTech, CSA, the National Research Foundation and the Economic Development Board, will host an inaugural Singapore Defence Technology Summit in 2018.

I asked staff whether there were any global technology summits in the world. They said, "It does not exist yet", and I replied, "Oh, that is good. Let us try."

This summit will provide a global platform to invite luminaries, leading figures, to come share their views. It will give us a window into the future. Not only that; it will allow us opportunities to network and increase our access to ideas and innovation. Because you and I know that, for defence, for us, it is existential. We need to deploy technology because other factors are working against us.

Even as we set up a new cyber command and technology labs, even as we want to host the inaugural Singapore Defence Technology Summit, I agree completely with Member Teo Ho Pin that we must never neglect to train the SAF's conventional force against traditional threats and, as Mr Cedric Foo pointed out, terrorism. Many Members agree with that line.

We all know that we have finite land and we are building training facilities overseas, such as in Australia, when we signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. But at the same time, we must have world-class training facilities here. Mr Vikram Nair talked about his childhood memories and how each time certain camps are taken away. There is finite land, we understand the pressures. We do need a minimum baseload of training camps, but we will maximise what we have. And we must guard against over-dependence on overseas training grounds. Recent events have pointed out the dangers. It is not possible for all our NSmen to only train overseas because the bulk of our training is still conducted here, especially for the Army.

Many of the Members here who have done NS will be familiar with the SAF Training Institute (SAFTI) Live Firing Area. You and I remember charging up Peng Kang Hill, for whatever reasons we were told to, and being trained at Fighting On Fortified Objective (FOFO), the fortified hill. These are all in our memories. But the SAFTI Live Firing Area was built in the 1960s, or 50 years ago.

As Members here pointed out, SAF has changed, cities have changed, terrains have changed, the world has changed. Members here asked: "How is SAF going to respond to this? Is there any new tactic? Is there a new doctrine? Is there new equipment?" We recognise these. The answer to all your questions is yes. Not only these, we will need training grounds that reflect the missions and operations that SAF will be called upon to conduct. For SAF to train realistically and effectively, we will build a new SAFTI City, because even peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions are likely to be conducted in built-up cities and infrastructure.

The new SAFTI City will take a decade to complete and cost approximately $900 million. Members have a handout. But, with your permission, Madam, I think it is easier for Members to see what we are going to build. Can I please show the video?

The Chairman : Yes, please. [ A video was shown to hon Members .]

Dr Ng Eng Hen : Thank you, Madam. Many details but let me give Members the broad gist. The idea of what the new SAFTI City wants to accomplish is to allow any battalion to fight across different terrains successively, as they would do in real life missions.

It will, therefore, have both urban and conventional terrain. In the urban setting, low houses and high-rise buildings. In the open terrain, jungles, hills and rivers to cross. But the signature change, because we are using technology, will be state-of-the-art training simulation technologies designed into the operating environment. We are building it from scratch, so that we can do it. There will be interactive targets and battlefield effects, such as artillery attacks, so that our soldiers can train more realistically and get ample feedback about how well they perform. When it is completed, SAFTI City will take our NS training to a much higher level of realism and effectiveness.

For instance, for our soldiers who are involved in Island Defence operations, this SAFTI City will allow them to train in mock-up petrochemical complexes, warehouses, container parks and industrial buildings. Sector 2 will have high-rise and interconnected buildings, basement car parks, a bus interchange and an underground Mass Rapid Transit station which will be useful for Counter Terrorism and High Intensity Urban Operations, as Members talked about. Sector 2 will also include urban rubble for Disaster Relief Operations.

In the areas surrounding SAFTI City, three new Instrumented Battle Circuits (iBACs) will be built. These will help small units train up their fighting skills because there will be video cameras, data analytics to point to what a specific person did or did not do and they will give feedback on each soldier's performance. Different scenarios can be configured for both peace time contingency and conventional military operations.

Ms Low Yen Ling asked how SAF is going to meet its needs with prudent defence spending, and she is absolutely right. We are aware of these budgetary pressures from an ageing society, coupled with slower growth rates for the economy. As I have sketched out to Members here, all these new programmes will need significant and sustained resources over the medium term. They cannot be built in five years. It will take us 10, 15 or maybe even 20 years to fully size up the Next Generation SAF. But we will reprioritise programmes to meet these challenges that we must face.

Here, I am very thankful for Members who have supported us over the years, steadily, so that we can spend steadily on our defence budgets to renew our Orbat and platforms continually, which today allows us to grow for these new areas, which we did not foresee 10-15 years ago.

The Army's refurbished Leopard tanks and Terrexes are young. The Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle was introduced last year. The next-generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle will be rolled out in 2019. The Air Force will upgrade its F-16s with new radars and weapons later this year, and the Aster 30 missile system will be deployed to strengthen our air defences. The Navy has new Littoral Mission Vessels and will need to replace two of its Archer Submarines. We will announce the replacement for these submarines later this year.

We have been able to do this because, every year, we commit a sizeable proportion to defence spending, but steadily. No sharp dips, no sharp rises. Even with new demands that I have sketched out for the Next Gen SAF, MINDEF has projected that our defence budget can be maintained on the current trajectory of 3%-4% growth each year, which would allow us to at least keep pace with inflation.

Member Low Yen Ling made a very incisive comment that in our region, Asia's military spending has outstripped that of the EU and has an average growth of 5.4%. Our 3%-4% is below that, but because we have had a longer runway of steady spending, we can keep to the 3%-4% projection. But MINDEF will not hesitate to push for higher spending if there are increasing new demands or if the security environment deteriorates.

MINDEF and SAF are conscious that the Government, with the strong support of Singaporeans, invests substantially into the defence budget each year.

I want to thank Members and Singaporeans for their constant support and I promise you that we will pledge to stretch each defence dollar to the fullest. Where we can, we will cut cost, as some Members have asked. We did it through the Republic of Singapore Navy's new Frigate Ship Management System. This system reduces maintenance time by 93% and saved us $40 million. Another example is the Army's SMART magazine. NSmen here will know that we fire blanks for various reasons. But someone thought, why have blanks, why not have a magazine that can simulate the blank? Indeed, that is what the SMART magazine does. And it will save $1.4 million each year. These measures, big and small, reflect the culture of prudence, using innovation to cut costs without loss of effectiveness for SAF.

Mdm Chair, let me conclude and allow Second Minister Ong Ye Kung and Senior Minister of State Maliki later to address other queries which I have not addressed and which Members have brought up in their speeches.

SAF will develop next-generation capabilities to deal with threats in both the real world and cyberspace. I want to end with a quote from Dr Goh Keng Swee in his last major public speech. He said: "The most dependable guarantee of our Independence is a strong SAF. A strong SAF, in turn, depends on the political will to make the effort and pay the price."

I think Dr Goh's reminder is timeless. Whether we were a poor country as a new nation having to spend on defence or as an up and rising country with other needs and now having to face an ageing society with an uncertain world, at each step, you need to invest in defence and you need political will.

I want to thank the strong commitment of our NSmen, the unwavering support of the Members of this House and the unshakeable resolve of Singaporeans. With these elements, SAF stands ready as guardians of the peace and defenders of our way of life. [ Applause. ]

SAF's Role in Anti-tobacco Efforts

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan (Nominated Member) : Mdm Chair, SAF has a significant role to play in efforts to improve the health and well-being of all Servicemen, especially the newly-enlisted NSFs within its ranks. Since the enlistment age of 18 also coincides with the age at which smoking is legally permitted, SAF's role in addressing smoking concerns is, therefore, a natural one.

Although smoking prevalence has decreased in Singapore, the proportion of our male population who are smokers is higher than that in many developed countries.

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Although I am not aware of any confirmed evidence, the high proportion of males who smoke happens to coincide with anecdotes suggesting that smoking is still highly prevalent among our Servicemen. If true, this would have severe consequences across a range of domains, including healthcare costs and discipline.

The tolerance for smoking as a popular culture within armed services is nothing new and it was even embraced in early popular culture. However, in the context of a modern SAF, it should be viewed as antithetical for many reasons. If the existing bans on smoking in army camps and training areas are not strongly enforced, they could reduce training effectiveness, lead to an erosion of discipline and have potential knock-on effects on performance in the field for combat personnel. There are also the potential difficulties faced by non-smokers if a tolerance of a smoking culture persists in the ranks. For instance, if smoke breaks are permitted, what do non-smokers do?

Although military bases and training areas are off-limits, there is an observable practice of service personnel as well as visitors who gather and smoke outside of camps. This suggests that while smoking controls may be in place, a smoking culture persists. Madam, in case it appears that I am against smoking for Servicemen, I must say clearly that that is not the case. What I am pushing for are clear guidelines so that a culture of indiscipline associated with smoking does not arise.

Given the importance of NS and the costs associated with a lack of enforcement, I would like to urge the Ministry to conduct a study of smoking trends among its Servicemen, examine the impediments to achieving a greater reduction in smoking prevalence and introduce active interventions to root out any smoking culture within bases and in training areas. Madam, I am not suggesting smoking cessation as the primary aim, because this would clearly detract from the role of SAF. However, I strongly urge SAF to take active steps to ensure smoking rates are not inadvertently allowed to increase.

Even though one would not expect SAF to take it upon itself to eliminate smoking, it should develop strategies to encourage Servicemen who smoke to give up the habit. In doing so, I would caution that it should set realistic targets in consultation with experts in the field of smoking addiction. It should also actively discourage Servicemen from gathering in groups to smoke as, say, a form of social interaction. Finally, it should discourage those who are non-smokers at the point of enlistment from picking up smoking during the course of their service.

Safety of Full-time National Servicemen

Ms Joan Pereira : Madam, NS is part and parcel of Singapore life. Yet, often during my interactions with my residents, the subject of safety during NS training comes up, usually from the mothers and grandmothers with sons and grandsons in NS. They have trust in MINDEF but cannot help but worry a little. They worry about their sons' and grandsons' health, physical training, the terrains and handling of weapons. Some unfortunate incidents in the past also serve as reminders of how things could go wrong.

MINDEF has given the assurance that maintaining training safety is a key element of a strong and professional armed force. I am heartened to note that in 2013, SAF added Safety as its eighth core value. A Safety and Systems Review Directorate (SSRD) was formed to oversee the conduct of safety and systems reviews for MINDEF and SAF. SSRD set up its first external review panel, the External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS) in 2013 to review various aspects of SAF safety over its three-year tenure. I would like to ask what the next step would be now that the tenure has expired.

SAF has consistently reiterated its commitment to safety over the years. However, one should always relook processes. Can MINDEF share what additional efforts have or are being made to make training regimes safer for our NSmen and how these efforts are being communicated to their family members and loved ones to provide greater assurance?

Transport Allowance for NSmen

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Non-Constituency Member) : Madam, I understand that NSFs may be allowed to make transport claims, such as taxi claims, for the purpose of odd working hours, to facilitate travel between their unit and home on working days. I believe that this is meant to assist to defray their transport costs, given their limited NS allowance.

For NSmen, not all NS units have a "stay in" policy during their In-Camp Training (ICT). Madam, there are NSmen who are not given the option to stay in or could not stay in for good reasons. Some of these NSmen may still be required to book out very late or book in very early due to the demands of their roles. I would like to ask the Minister to consider allowing some of such NSmen to be eligible for transport claims, namely, full-time students or NSmen who are unemployed at the time of ICT.

In last year's COS debate, Minister Ong Ye Kung mentioned that students in local universities are called up for Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) training while studying. These are full-time students and may be no different from NSF personnel in that they are not working and do not have income. I would also like to ask the Minister to consider allowing this benefit to NSmen who are full-time students studying private courses and NSmen who are unemployed at the time of ICT. Their commanders can help administer such claims in accordance with suitable conditions to be stipulated by MINDEF.

I believe that allowing such transport claims will assist some of our NSmen to cope with booking out and booking in at odd hours without having to shoulder any unnecessary financial burden.

Preparing for Life after NS

Mr Amrin Amin : One of the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) initiatives was to "Acquire and Utilise Deep Skills", which can apply to people serving NS as well.

In 2015, MINDEF and MHA, together with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, jointly organised the Career Skills Workshop for all NSFs. This arose from the recommendation by the Committee to Strengthen National Service and aims to help NSFs transit to the workforce after they complete full-time NS.

Can MINDEF elaborate on what other initiatives are planned to prepare our NSFs for life after NS?

Total Defence and Engagement of Society

Ms Low Yen Ling : Madam Chair, last year, Senior Minister of State Dr Maliki Osman spoke about the importance of total defence in countering hybrid threats. He said that, and I quote, "While Singaporeans are confident that our home and our way of life are safeguarded by an advanced and highly trained SAF, we must know that our security agencies cannot do the job on their own."

Last year, I spoke with great concern of the threat to Singapore posed by ISIS and by terrorism more generally during the COS debate in 2016. In the past 12 months, it appears that the news headlines have become even more troubling.

Recent developments have also shed light on a variety of other non-traditional threats to our security. For example, countless cyberattacks around the globe have had serious real-world outcomes. Countries or groups have hacked political parties and institutions with the intent of influencing political outcomes. Cyberattackers have also proven their ability to hack into bank accounts by the thousands and to steal unsuspecting victims of hard-earned money.

We have also learnt of cyber breaches closer to home where personal information has been stolen. Some cyberattacks can be attributed to criminals and mischief makers but the fact that there are people out there with the skills to hurt us through attacks in cyberspace should worry us. Put in the wrong hands, cyberattackers can be trained and employed to wage bigger conflicts against Singapore as a whole.

At the same time, we have learnt how countries and groups with malicious intent can use influence campaigns to divide and damage communities as well. It is clear that a military solution alone cannot address the wide-ranging security challenges that Singaporeans faced. Even the US, which spends more on its military than the next few countries combined, has been a target of large-scale cyberattacks and influence campaigns. Experts argued that the conflict between countries will increasingly be fought in the grey zone between war and peace, where military forces may not be even involved. This means that ordinary citizens could be on the front line of hybrid attacks against Singapore. We have all heard from Minister Ng Eng Hen earlier. He spoke about how some countries even see mounting hybrid warfare as legitimate.

So, in light of all these recent developments, can MINDEF provide its assessment on how hybrid threats have continued to evolve and how we are strengthening total defence to deal with these threats?

Mr Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol) : Madam, the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) had submitted 18 proposals to MINDEF aimed at boosting support and recognition for NS. As of last year, Senior Minister of State Dr Maliki Bin Osman updated that 14 of the 18 ACCORD proposals had been completed. I would like to praise the Government for their good progress on the ACCORD proposals made thus far. Can MINDEF provide a status update on the implementation of the remaining ACCORD proposals over the last year? What are some challenges and constraints in implementing the remaining proposals?

Mr Lee Yi Shyan : Mdm Chair, Singapore has enjoyed decades of peace and stability. At the COS debate last year, we learnt that our younger generation, unlike the Pioneers, saw events, such as Konfrontasi, racial riots and our road to Independence, as study subjects rather than personal experience or memories.

With that in mind, I would like to ask how MINDEF is working to engage our younger generations of Singaporeans on defence issues and to foster a strong commitment to defence amongst the youth. I note that Senior Minister of State Maliki had launched a "Commitment to Defence" Ambassadors programme to allow SAF Pioneers to engage and inspire the younger generation.

Mdm Chair, each generation of Singaporeans will have to confront our own security threats. While we may no longer be in the era of World War II or Konfrontasi, Singapore still faces multifaceted threats to our security. Just in the past year alone, developments from around the world and the region have shown us that threats to our way of life, including from terrorism, cyberattacks and fake news, have become increasingly apparent and are closer to us than we think.

More so than ever, the security challenges of today require the vigilance, unity and resilience not just of SAF and the Home Team, but of all Singaporeans. In light of our rapidly evolving security environment, can we have a status update on MINDEF's Total Defence efforts and how it fits in with other Government efforts, such as SG Secure?

Total Defence

Dr Teo Ho Pin : Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following: how does MINDEF reach out and engage Singaporeans on a sustained basis in order to inspire them to learn, practise and be operationally-ready for Total Defence?

Madam, due to the changing landscape of warfare, it is necessary for Singapore to review our Total Defence approach. Based on the defence spending in our region and new threats to our security, we need to build our defence and fighting capabilities in urban and cyber warfare.

Every year, Total Defence Day is observed on 15 February to commemorate the day when Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II in 1942. Since 1984, a wide range of activities has been organised to remind Singaporeans of the roles they can play in building a strong nation and defending Singapore.

The five pillars of Total Defence, namely, military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence, provide a framework to guide Singaporeans to play a part in Total Defence. Despite much effort, there is a general lack of understanding and total defence readiness among Singaporeans.

Many Singaporeans still do not know their roles in the five pillars of Total Defence. The operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence is also lacking.

Madam, I visited Israel many years ago and was, indeed, very impressed by the operational readiness of its people to respond to terrorist attacks and conventional warfare. Both the young and old Israelis are ready to respond to any attacks on their land.

In fact, when I was there, I saw a group of youths armed with rifles patrolling the streets of the city centre. These youths performed their duties very diligently while ensuring safety and security in the areas patrolled.

Madam, I do hope that MINDEF can map out a set of total defence skills which Singaporeans must possess so that they can play a more effective role in contributing to total defence. We need to constantly test the operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence. Total Defence requires practical defence skills. Thus, I would urge MINDEF to make Total Defence real and drive the fighting spirit of Singaporeans.

The Chairman: Second Minister Ong.

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The Second Minister for Defence (Mr Ong Ye Kung) : Last month, I was in Pulau Tekong for the launch of NS50 − the 50th Anniversary of NS. Enlistees were there on their first day, together with their families, and I joined them for lunch at the cookhouse. The food was very good. I asked "Is this standard fare?" They assured me that it is like that every day, but it is not chicken every day. It is a rotation. There is a standard that has been kept up.

I sat with many of the enlistees and their families, spoke to them, asked them if they were ready and how they felt. I sensed amongst the youngsters pride, even eagerness. Many of them shaved their heads and then get enlisted. Though the hairstyle, of shaving your heads, both inside and outside camp, is actually similar. But they were quite eager to do so. I asked the parents how they felt and they all said, every single one, NS is good for their sons.

Times have changed. Support for NS is strong amongst Singaporeans. One key reason is that we see how NS has bonded us all together and toughened up our young. Another important reason is that after 50 years, fathers have gone through NS and know its benefits and now are supportive of their sons going through the same experience. This is truly a duty passing from one generation to the next.

Today, I will talk about how we can better leverage our most precious resource in SAF − NSmen, and how we can enhance the NS experience.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen has spoken about a Next Generation SAF, one where we have to maximise the talent, expertise and contribution of every single Serviceman.

First, we ensure that every soldier is individually "strong". That is why we have launched the "Soldier Strong" initiative to develop soldiers who are physically strong, psychologically resilient and committed to the defence of Singapore.

Under the "Soldier Strong" programme, NSmen will have access to enhanced fitness training programmes at the new Centre for Excellence for Soldier Performance that will be operational at the end of 2017. This centre will focus on fitness regimes, soldier nutrition, prehabilitation regimes to prevent injuries, and rehabilitation to help injured Servicemen recover. The centre will also integrate training packages on resilience to enhance the mental strength of our soldiers.

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan asked how SAF addresses smoking in SAF. We are aligned with national policy on this. We will continue to encourage Servicemen to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce their health risk factors. Today, smoking is not allowed in SAF camps and bases, except at designated smoking points. Cigarettes are not sold in any of our camps or bases.

We also partner the Health Promotion Board to conduct smoking cessation workshops for our Servicemen. But soldiers will need to take personal responsibility for their own health, too.

Second, we maximise contributions of NSmen by deploying them better. Mr Lee Yi Shyan asked about this. Technological advancements in SAF have altered the nature of vocations. For certain vocations, automation has greatly reduced the physical demands. One example is the Army's Combat Engineers. In the past, Combat Engineers had to lift and hold heavy interlocking parts of a bridge. Today, these bridges have been replaced with the Mobility 3rd Generation bridge, or M3G. M3G is deployed through a remote interface with the help of a hydraulic arm. In other words, you can now deploy a bridge that can carry up to three five-tonner trucks, mainly by pushing buttons.

Because of these advancements, we have been reviewing vocation requirements and can better deploy our NSFs effectively in accordance with their fitness and abilities.

Third, we take into account the vocational interest of enlistees and, in so doing, better match skills and interests with deployment. Mr Lee Yi Shyan asked about the vocational interest initiative, and Mr Cedric Foo asked how NS can be made more engaging and fulfilling and better recognised by society.

We have implemented the Vocation Interest initiative to promote greater personal ownership by NSFs over their NS experience. Since November last year, pre-enlistees have indicated their interest in 33 vocations across SAF, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Their indicated interest will be an additional factor in determining their vocations, together with other considerations, such as suitability, manpower and operational requirements.

There is some perception that enlistees, fresh out of school, when asked to indicate their vocational preference, will avoid the very "siong" vocations like Infantry and Guards, and then they will pick non-combat vocations that are more related to their areas of studies. There is some perception of that. That has actually not been the SAF's experience, which is that most enlistees today want to contribute to the best of their abilities and sweat it out if possible. So, in the latest enlistment exercise, 60% of pre-enlistees indicated interest in Infantry and Guards. They know that the training is "siong" but good for them.

Mr Vikram Nair asked about cybersecurity. We will develop a new cyber vocation in support of the new cyber command, which Minister Ng has announced. This vocation will allow SAF to tap on the talent available to defend our military networks and systems. NSFs will be deployed to these vocations from August this year.

Our cyber defenders will need to possess a high level of skill, given the increasing frequency and complexity of cyberattacks. They will be entering a very selective and demanding vocation, comparable to the Commandos or Naval Divers. As part of their duties, they will also be supporting CSA in a pilot scheme to defend our critical information infrastructure.

Pre-enlistees who possess these skills will be rigorously selected and identified, possibly through established local cyber competitions, camps and activities, as well as rigorous selection tests. I expect many of these competitions and selection will be done in our education institutions − junior colleges, Institutes of Technical Education and polytechnics. The impact is not just on the few selected for the vocation but will heighten the interest and expertise in cyber and digital technology across the student masses. This will also increase the talent pool for national defence as well as Singapore's growing cyber industry.

Let me now talk about ways to enhance the NS experience. Our efforts over the years have been guided by the recommendations of CSNS.

The first is safety, which is a critical element of training. Ms Joan Pereira asked how we can provide assurance that our NSmen will be safe while serving. Every year, 20,000 families entrust their sons and, increasingly daughters, to us. We take the issue of safety very, very seriously. We worry about the safety of our Sservicemen as much as their mothers and grandmothers. And this is how we keep our safety record very well.

In 2013, MINDEF convened an External Review Panel, comprising prominent safety experts outside of SAF, to review safety in SAF.

The Panel has recently completed this three-year safety review and concluded that our health and safety system are internationally one of the best but, of course, there are areas for improvement. One is to strengthen safety culture at the unit level and another is to further promote open reporting of near-miss incidents. SAF has accepted the Panel's findings and will improve on these areas.

SAF has also been doing more to reassure NSmen's family members and loved ones of our emphasis on safety. Because safety culture must be inculcated at the unit level, outreach must also be done at the unit level.

Take the Naval Diving Unit, for example. It makes a special effort to engage NSmen's family members regularly. For example, upon enlistment, there is a briefing for family members on what this is all about. At the Combat Diving Course graduation ceremony, families are also shown videos of diving training drills plus many other engagements. All these assure parents that while the training programme is tough, it is carried out progressively, professionally and safely.

Because the strength of NS as an institution lies in our NSmen, it is important for society to show our appreciation to them. Mr Cedric Foo asked about such initiatives.

To commemorate NS50, Minister Ng announced last month that each NSman will receive $100 in vouchers and, for ORDN NSmen, a one-year membership to SAFRA or HomeTeamNS. But as we all know and as Mr Cedric Foo has pointed out, vouchers cannot reflect the true value of the commitment and contribution of our Servicemen. It is just a small way for us to say "Thank you".

Support and appreciation from society are the strongest form of motivation an NSman can receive. We will encourage this through the NS50 Week in August, where companies and organisations can thank and appreciate the NSmen amongst them. More than 250 organisations will support the month-long recognition campaign from July to the first week of August, through retail discounts, free souvenirs, more NS-friendly human resource policies and rededication ceremonies.

Mr Dennis Tan asked about transport allowances for NSmen who stay out during their ICT. We must recognise that NS is a contribution and sacrifice to the nation, but we also gain from the experience in many intangible ways. Our approach, therefore, is a more general one, to provide an allowance or Service Pay to support the basic personal upkeep of NSFs and NSmen. We regularly review NS allowances to ensure that they remain appropriate. The last review was in December 2015 when it was adjusted upwards.

Mr Amrin Amin asked how MINDEF prepares our NSFs for life after NS. This is an important question because learning new skills is one major aspect of NS. These could be vocational skills, such as driving, maintenance or physical training as an instructor, or soft skills, such as leadership and teamwork. But we can go further by formally accrediting the skills that are learnt in NS which NSmen can use for their future careers.

MINDEF has been working with SkillsFuture Singapore under the Ministry of Education (MOE) on this initiative. From this year, SkillsFuture Singapore will accredit enlistees with skills, such as teamwork, that are honed during BMT. In fact, the teamwork we learn in NS, I think, is far better than many of the commercial workshops. Throughout their full-time NS, they could also be accredited with other competencies, such as leadership, technical or specialist skills.

These achievements will be reflected in the enhanced Certificate of Service given to NSFs on their Operationally Ready Date. By 2018, the Certificate will be made more comprehensive to include additional achievements, such as awards, commendations and milestones, that an NSF acquires during their service, their full-time NS.

While accrediting skills learnt in NS is a useful enhancement of the NS experience, this is neither the main objective nor the key takeaway of NS. NS fulfils the obligation and accords the honour of contributing to the defence of our country. The lasting benefits are the development of character and resilience, and the camaraderie and friendships forged with fellow NSmen. Ultimately, the fact that someone has completed NS well demonstrates his commitment and dedication, especially in a challenging unit that stretches his abilities. This should speak for itself and be valued and recognised by the whole society, including employers.

1.30 pm

Today, more than one million Singaporeans have gone through the rite of passage of NS. Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about the continued importance of NS. NS continues to be the cornerstone of our defence and security. Our well-trained and committed NSmen increase our military capability and give us credibility when we speak. Potential adversaries know that if they attack Singapore, it is a fight against a populace, all trained and ready to defend our sovereignty and freedom.

Other countries, such as France and Sweden, have abolished conscription since the end of the Cold War. Yet, in today's increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, these countries are considering reinstating conscription. In fact, it was just reported in the media yesterday that Sweden has already decided to do so. Others, as mentioned by Mr Baey Yam Keng – Lithuania, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar − have recently legislated mandatory conscription. They recognise that transition from a benign to a hostile geopolitical environment can happen without warning, and a capable and credible military cannot be built overnight. We should learn from these examples and cherish the institution of NS.

Recently, I read an article in the New York Times written by Karl Marlantes, a US Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. Marlantes highlights the importance of the US draft. The draft gave all eligible American men a shared experience fighting for their country, socialised Americans of all backgrounds to the idea that they are all equally American. After the war, the US military abandoned the draft and transitioned to an all-volunteer force. This, Marlantes argues, deprived Americans of the common experience and undermined the American social fabric, which has manifested itself in divisive politics today.

Indeed, as Dr Goh Keng Swee said in 1967, and I quote, "Nothing creates loyalty and national consciousness more speedily and more thoroughly than participation in defence and membership of the armed forces. The nation-building aspect of defence will be more significant if its participation is spread over all strata of society."

The role of NS in nation-building has become ever more salient today as we march forward in this era of globalisation. NS is a core part of the Singaporean identity, not just for males, but for mothers, wives, daughters and girlfriends who supported and encouraged our NSmen in their contribution and sacrifice.

It builds mutual trust within society, and between society and the Government. Our NS50 tagline "From My Generation to Yours" anchors the theme that NS is a shared responsibility and remains crucial to Singapore's security and nation-building. The NS system we have today is something we can be collectively proud of and continue to build on in the next 50 years and beyond.

The Chairman: Senior Minister of State Mohamad Maliki.

The Senior Minister of State for Defence (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman) : Mdm Chair, amidst the global trend of drawing boundaries and rejecting outsiders, Singapore stands out with our own brand of multi-ethnicity and multi-religiosity. Our principle of embracing different cultures and faiths while building a shared Singaporean identity has been the foundation of our success and will continue to be so in the years to come. But it must never be taken for granted, as evidenced by our own early history of religious tensions and race riots.

As a small country, we remain vulnerable to pressures from around the world and at home. The pressures will only increase in the face of hybrid warfare. Mr Amrin Amin and Ms Low Yen Ling asked about the threat that hybrid warfare poses to Singapore. The threat is real. It is pervasive. Attackers will continue to devise ways to exploit our growing reliance on technology across all sectors of society, targeting all pillars of our Total Defence. Minister Ng has earlier spoken about the ongoing threat of cyberattacks.

Information attacks are less obvious. But as history has shown, they are clearly effective in targeting all sectors of society. The devastating Maria Hertogh riots in 1950 arose out of newspaper reports that gave competing versions of the facts about legal proceedings and Maria's stay in the convent. These were distortions of facts by the media that was used as a tool of Muslim activism against colonialists. The activists exploited the incident to incite hostility between the Muslim and predominantly European and Eurasian Catholic populations in Singapore then. This resulted in 18 dead, 173 injured and significant property damage. And this took place in an age when news was spread in print or simply by word of mouth.

Information attacks today are far more effective and dangerous, when technology permeates every aspect of our lives. The spread of fake news and misinformation is much accelerated with WhatsApp and Facebook, and its impact is amplified. For example, the owners of the now-defunct site The Real Singapore made a false claim that a Filipino family's complaints had caused a scuffle between the Police and participants at the 2015 Thaipusam procession. It was a distortion of facts, again aimed at inciting hostility among different groups in Singapore. It went viral and could have led to a breakdown in our society, similar to the Maria Hertogh riots but with far greater impact, if not for discerning netizens who reported the "insensitive article". It clearly showed that we must act to protect the bonds that hold us together.

Ms Low Yen Ling, Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef and Mr Amrin Amin asked how we can respond to new hybrid threats. Now in its 33rd year, Total Defence remains our best defence and response. The avenue of threats is new ‒ social media, the Internet and electronic devices, but the threats are the same ‒ distortions and falsehoods. And they target the same vulnerabilities ‒ our differences in race, religion and background. This is why the five pillars and the core message of every Singaporean standing together, playing our part to protect Singapore and our shared way of life continue to be relevant. I am glad that more than 80% of Singaporeans surveyed by MINDEF in 2016 are aware of Total Defence and more than 90% of them agree that it remains important for Singapore.

However, to deal with our new challenges, the way we practise Total Defence has to evolve. The Government will, therefore, make a shift from "concept to action", and help Singaporeans understand how they can put Total Defence into action in their everyday lives. And we may find the social and psychological pillars of Total Defence gaining more prominence.

In the cyber domain, each individual is the first line of defence by guarding against phishing and hacking attempts through simple actions, such as using strong passwords for our personal devices and online accounts. Businesses also play an important role by putting in place necessary cybersecurity measures and training their staff to respond to potential risks. The latest threat hijacks Internet of Things devices like security cameras and media players that you might have in your own home. Securing these devices, as well as your phones and laptops is, therefore, the first step in cyber defence.

In the area of fake news, again, each individual is the first line of defence. We need to be discerning and responsible with what we read and decide to share online. When you see a shocking article, for example, a good first step is to Google it and see if it is being reported on reputable news sites like the British Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters or Channel NewsAsia. If you find fake news, it could be as simple as reporting a post to Facebook or commenting to expose the falsehood. There is a movement in Eastern Europe called the Baltic Elves that does just that ‒ fighting trolls and disinformation. I am glad that Singaporeans are also stepping up. For example, when a Whatsapp message was circulating in December last year, warning of potential terrorist attacks in popular shopping areas, many citizens countered by warning that the message was unsubstantiated and should not be circulated. Madam, if I may continue in Malay, please.

( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] Singaporeans must have confidence in our own community and institutions and be discerning enough to question, check and push back against fake news, instead of simply forwarding it. This is even more so when fake and distorted news have an impact on our security.

This is even more so, given the security challenges we face in the ideological battle with terrorist groups like ISIS in social media. ISIS wants to set up a wilayat in Southeast Asia. It has already formed a militant group called Katibah Nusantara comprising about 1,000 volunteers from Southeast Asia. It has also released several propaganda videos and magazines in Bahasa Malay that are targeted at Muslims in the region.

These are aimed at inciting hostility and violence against other groups in our society that do not fall within ISIS' definition of being Muslim. Our youths who are active on social media are particularly vulnerable; it is not difficult to access videos of beheadings juxtaposed with those showing an idyllic society under ISIS and a fighter explaining why it is every Muslim's duty to join ISIS, followed by a celebration of his martyrdom in death.

Around our region, the growth of extremist groups who spread exclusivist and literalist leanings in Islam poses a significant threat to our multi-religious society. We know of 31 such groups which have pledged allegiance or support for ISIS.

Our Mufti and Muslim groups, such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), have made clear that ISIS' methods go against Islam. These Muslim groups have been reaching out to educate the community through counselling, publications and speeches.

At the individual level, when confronted with extremist material, instead of forwarding it, our first instinct should be to check with our Mufti and Islamic authority, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), and then commenting to counter such views. We should not allow exclusivist thinking to permeate the minds of our community. We must have the psychological resilience to resist and reject materials that we suspect are untrue, extremist or exclusivist, which may have a negative impact on our social cohesion.

( In English ): Dr Teo Ho Pin and Mr Lee Yi Shyan rightly noted that Total Defence requires a whole-of-society effort and asked about MINDEF's Total Defence efforts and how we reach out and engage Singaporeans. MINDEF will enhance our extensive partnerships across the public, private and people sectors. First, we will collaborate closely across the Government. Last month, we commemorated Total Defence Day with the Ministry of Communications and Information and the National Archives of Singapore, in conjunction with the opening of the revamped gallery on the Japanese Occupation at the former Ford Factory, where Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese on that day 75 years ago. This was an opportunity to remember our heritage and draw out messages of psychological and social defence and remind Singaporeans why we cannot rely on others to defend our home.

We are working with MHA in SGSecure to encourage Singaporeans to put Total Defence into action in the fight against terrorism, by building community vigilance, cohesion and resilience. Within SAF, we are training our Servicemen to be prepared citizens and active responders, such as by equipping them with basic first aid and firefighting skills, so that they can support the civil pillar of Total Defence in their personal capacity. One such example was Military Expert 1 (ME1) Gregory Poh from the Republic of Singapore Air Force 113 Squadron. In November 2016, ME1 Poh was on his way home from work when he noticed that a child at the playground was having seizures and was not breathing. He administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately, continued to keep the child's condition stable and assisted the paramedics when they arrived.

1.45 pm

Beyond SAF, we will roll out a Total Defence strategy card game, "Guardians of the City", to all secondary school uniformed groups this year. Members can pick up a set and try out for yourselves from the library later on. This game, an example of a ground-up initiative, was designed by Mr Wan Junyan, an SGfuture participant, who was inspired by discussions with students on how to convey Total Defence lessons in a more engaging manner and developed in collaboration with MOE and MHA. It educates youths on how society can come together to better prepare for terrorist threats based on real-life examples, respond to them and recover from them. We hope that through the game, our youths will grow to become Total Defence advocates amongst their peers.

Our younger generation will shape the future of Singapore. We want to ensure that they have the same commitment to Total Defence and the right instincts to face future threats and challenges.

MINDEF is, therefore, working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's Committee on Citizen Engagement and partners like the National Youth Council to engage youths in conversations on what it takes to build up Singapore's psychological defence from their perspectives.

I hope there will be many more youths like Nurul Fatimah. She was a 14-year-old student in a local madrasah when she decided to attend CampTeen, which encourages cross-cultural friendships amongst students. She says, "For nine years of my life, I lived thinking that it was best to just stay within my comfort zone, without thinking of the importance of mixing around in this multicultural land. Now, I know that common space is really significant to our generation today, but the bonds are not easily made." Now 17, and inspired by her experience, she is an active youth advocate with OnePeople.sg, which runs CampTeen.

Second, we will engage economic and community leaders through ACCORD. Mr Zainal Sapari asked for an update on the implementation of the ACCORD proposals. As Chairman of ACCORD, I am pleased to update that we have successfully implemented all 18 proposals involving various stakeholders − employers and businesses, families and communities, and educational institutions. For example, under the "We Support YOU in NS" initiative, the ACCORD Family and Community Council has been encouraging merchants and retailers to show their support for NSmen by offering discounts and benefits. Dr Cheng Eng Wah, iDental's founder and Principal Dental Surgeon, readily agreed to have promotions on metal braces for NSFs when his team raised this initiative to him. Alluding to a Chinese saying 有 国 才 有 家, Dr Cheng explained: "There is no home without a nation. I believe we need a strong army to punch above our weight." And he is not alone. In a recent survey, 96% of employers agreed that NS provides the security needed for Singapore to prosper.

ACCORD members have also helped us to reach out to new citizens and Permanent Residents who will become an integral part of our society. For example, the Global Indian International School and United World College (Southeast Asia), whose principals are ACCORD members, organised sharing sessions to provide more than 700 students and parents with information on the NS enlistment process. Alumni from these schools who have been through NS also returned to share their experiences and communicate the importance of NS for Singapore's defence.

Third, we will reach out to individuals directly, because they can be empowered to initiate their own Total Defence efforts. Ms Priya Shahane, Chief Human Resources officer of AXA Singapore, introduced a system to plan for coverage of duties in advance when an employee is called up for ICT in her company. This allowed AXA employees like Mr Pan Chee Keong, an Assistant Manager, to go for ICT without worrying about work piling up. Ms Shahane also introduced measures to grant time off work for NSmen employees to prepare for the individual physical proficiency test (IPPT) and reward gold achievers with an additional half day of annual leave, which encourages them to do better in their IPPT. In recognition of her efforts, Ms Shahane was awarded the NS Advocate Award for Individuals in 2016.

Madam, personally, I am confident that my fellow Singaporeans will play their part and strengthen our Total Defence and national spirit. We saw this when a 40-metre tall and 6.5-metre wide Tembusu tree toppled at the Singapore Botanic Gardens last month. At least a hundred of those present rushed forward to push the branches and logs away to help those who were under the tree when it fell. This immediate civic-minded response gives me confidence that we will be able to respond appropriately to any challenges, support one another and recover quickly after any crisis.

Madam, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore this year, we are reminded of our vulnerability. We have responded with 50 years of NS and a strong SAF, and all Singaporeans coming together for Total Defence. The future may be uncertain, the threats more unpredictable. But our resolve is resolute. We will stand together with resilience and confidence, just as we have done before, ride out any crisis and emerge stronger as one people.

The Chairman : We have a bit of time for clarifications. Mr Vikram Nair.

Mr Vikram Nair : There have been many interesting announcements. The most interesting, from my perspective, was the one on the new division or group being set up to deal with cyberattacks and fake news. I think it is going to be a big group of about 2,600 people. This is an organisation being created almost de novo. Are there any other models for us to follow or are we just pioneering this on our own? If we are pioneering this on our own, then it is going to start in about a year's time. Do we have the capabilities within our existing people to do that? If not, how would we be developing this, because this is quite ground-breaking?

Dr Ng Eng Hen : Madam, it is not quite de novo. You would remember in 2013, we announced the set-up of the Cyber Defence Operations Hub. We have been monitoring this. Obviously, with many of our systems being dependent on computer systems, data linkages and, particularly for all militaries and especially for the Singapore military because we are leveraging technology, we recognise that our strength can be exploited as a weakness.

We have been studying other models. I have gone to France to look at them. They have a fairly well-developed system and there are different organisational structures, not only for the military but actually, more importantly, how the military coordinates as part of a national cyber defence. The very nature of the digital domain is its porosity and connectivity and you cannot very well just protect one segment because you will be affected.

There are different models that MINDEF, SAF and the Government as a whole have studied, and that was the reason why the Cyber Security Agency was set up in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). If you look at other countries, some of them are with the prime minister's office, some of them with the Ministry of Defence, but we have chosen to have a tiered structure where CSA is a national defence for cybersecurity under PMO and MCI. This cyber command is another layer which protects primarily MINDEF and SAF. But because we recognise that our cyber units, our cyber soldiers can be trained and can be deployed as they do for physical key installations in Singapore; that is the concept we are extending. So, not quite de novo. We are ramping up significantly because the level of the threats has risen and we recognise that the damage can be material.

The Chairman: Mr Cedric Foo.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : About this SAFTI new training area revamp, I think it is a great idea and overdue. At the same time, I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider two points. One is when we move the grounds and put up new buildings and all that, that we do not lose the history and the old names that were used in the old training grounds. We will do us a big disservice if Peng Kang Hill is changed to another name.

Secondly, because we are building it from scratch, we now have the ability not just to make sure that it is productive and combat-effective, we can also think about solders' safety and see how we can weave it into the design.

Dr Ng Eng Hen : Madam, I thought the Member's points were particularly relevant. I agree with him. We want some resonance, and it is across the system and across all our agencies. Even as we update ourselves, refresh our systems to meet new needs, we want to retain a sense of history that can carry across generations. So, I will put that to SAF and leave it to them how they will do it. I do not think they will be physically removing some hills or features, but even if they do, they can convert hills to street names, I suppose, but I will leave it to them.

The Member's second point is a significant one on safety. Mr Foo is absolutely correct. It is much easier and, just like buildings, to design safety in. I learnt that when I was the Manpower Minister and had to deal with injuries and deaths at the workplace. For example, they said some buildings are designed and are beautiful but very hard to clean. It is much easier to design safety in across not only just the building but the lifetime maintenance of that building. In this case, Mr Foo is saying, during your operations, can you design it, so that, for instance, your video feedback actually gives you an alert to say this is an unsafe zone? That is one example. So, yes, that will be taken into consideration. I thank the Member for the feedback. We will take it in.

The Chairman : Mr Nair, would you like to withdraw your amendment?

Mr Vikram Nair : I would like to thank Minister Ng Eng Hen, Second Minister Ong Ye Kung and Senior Minister of State Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman for dealing with a wide range of questions that we have raised. We are very heartened to hear that NS, which we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, a timeless institution, is still very strong. I am particularly heartened to hear that the young men are very keen to do combat vocations. I wish I could say the same for my generation but not sure it would be true. Luckily, we had no surveys back then. But I am particularly heartened because, in my personal anecdotal experience, I know people coming up saying they want to join the Naval Diving Unit as well.

The Chairman : Mr Nair, just withdraw the amendment.

Mr Vikram Nair : Okay, Madam. Sorry, recounting NS stories. I thank the Ministry and the officials as well for all their support for our defence. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

[(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $13,612,805,500 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $839,000,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]

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