Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the 114/18 Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade at SAFTI Military Institute, 15 September 2019

Graduands of the 114/18 Officer Cadet Course

Parents,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1 Good evening and congratulations! I know how hard you have all worked, the sacrifices you have made, the discipline you have endured, and the enormous effort of putting your heart and soul into our nation’s defence. As a parent, I also know how much pride and joy it brings us to witness our sons and daughters receive their commission as officers of the SAF.

2 I would also like to thank each and every family member, the friends, and the loved ones of our graduating class today. It is your steadfast support, encouragement, and unwavering and unconditional love for our cadets that saw them through this tough journey, and gave it even more meaning and purpose.

IMPORTANCE OF A CREDIBLE SAF

3 Ladies and gentlemen, the world today is in a troubled and dangerous phase. We all watch, with great concern, the contest between the super-powers, the evolving trade war, the massive economic and social disruption caused by the digital revolution, the ongoing threat posed by terrorism, the angry and divisive political rhetoric that is leading to gridlock in many countries all over the world. Things will get worse before they get better.

4 In some parts of the world, young people your age have been misled by politicians abusing religion into believing that they can achieve glory by becoming suicide bombers. In some cities, young people are vandalising their own futures because they have no sense of national identity and have lost hope in the future.

5 In contrast, here in Singapore, we stand here as proud citizens of a sovereign independent state, quietly confident of our unique identity as a multiracial, multi-religious city-state in the heart of South East Asia. We are masters of our own destiny and we have a bright future to look forward to. National Service is a key pillar of this unique identity and protector of our collective destiny.

6 But we also have to be clear-eyed, and not harbour any illusions about our place in the world. Let me be very blunt – history is replete with examples of failed small states. If tomorrow we were to cease to exist as an independent, sovereign nation, it would barely register as a blip in world history.

7 Let me share some insights as the Foreign Minister of our country. There are around 200 members of the United Nations. If you are a super-power or a big country, there is no shortage of other countries queueing up to engage you. But there are lots of small countries – and it is a perpetual struggle for small countries to protect our national interests or even to be heard in the first place.

8 Nevertheless, the moment I introduce myself and say that “I’m from Singapore”, people know I represent a successful, vibrant and united country. And they know that we never take this success and unity for granted. They know that we have both the resolve and the capability to defend our national interests to the hilt. We are not a vassal state; we cannot be bought or intimidated. And so we are viewed as honest, reliable and credible partners in a rules-based multilateral world order.

9 This is by no means an easy task. But it is a task made more manageable because we have a credible SAF, made up of dedicated, professional men and women like you standing here before us. A credible SAF gives weight to Singapore’s voice on the international stage. It is the source of our strength that enables us to stand firm; the most compelling guarantor of the peace and stability that our families depend on.

EVOLVING SECURITY LANDSCAPE

10 You must also be aware that our external security challenges are only going to get more complex and varied. In the past decade alone, the SAF has deployed to the Middle East to fight terrorism at its source as part of the counter-ISIS coalition; deployed to the Gulf of Aden to counter piracy; and to multiple disaster zones in order to conduct relief efforts. There are new threats, in the form of hybrid warfare, disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks. And all these are increasing in frequency and severity. Foreign powers will attempt to subvert, divide and manipulate our society.

DEVELOPING LEADERS WITH THE RIGHT VALUES

11 It is therefore absolutely essential for us to identify and to develop strong leaders with vision and gumption. We need to raise and train leaders who can not only adapt to new systems and practices quickly, but also nurture others to do the same. Today’s commissioning parade represents our continued shared commitment to ensuring that we will have the right leaders, both in values and aptitude, to lead the SAF for the next generation and beyond.

12 As officers, you will have command responsibility. People’s lives will depend on your decisions. And it is your responsibility to train your men and women well, to train them hard, but to also return them to their loved ones at the end of every single day. When others look to you for leadership, guidance and support, let them see a role model who exemplifies the core values of the SAF.

13 To the graduands, congratulations once again on this is a very special day. I want to leave you with the words of our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in his address to the first batch of officer trainees in 1966, “This small group of men … must be men of great quality. By that, I don’t mean just qualities of the mind because for this job, it is the character, the mettle in a person which determines whether the men you lead have … the confidence, the verve which is only possible, given dedicated and inspired leadership.”

14 Do credit by those who have guided and instructed you so far, and may your words and actions live up to the shining ethos of the Officer’s Creed: To Lead, to Excel and to Overcome. Thank you.

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