Committee of Supply − Head J (Ministry of Defence)

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.