The right way to new competence
ACCORD and Employers visit Police Coast Guards
The Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) and members from the Singapore Business Federation and Singapore National Employers Federation Council visited the Police Coast Guard on 13 December 2011. During the visit, Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong and Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli bin Masagos Mohamad also met with 90 employers and had a fruitful dialogue with them on their employees’ national service (NS) commitments. MOS Masagos’ opening address at the visit is attached for media reporting.
Please also see more details about the Police Coast Guard and Coastal Security Patrol Force in the factsheets appended.
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Welcome Note By Minister Of State For Home Affairs And Foreign Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, At The ACCORD Visit To Police Coast Guard, Brani Base.
Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister of State for Defence and Education
Members of ACCORD
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good afternoon to everyone.
Welcome
Let me extend a warm welcome to the members of the Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), as well as our valued guests from the Singapore Business Federation and Singapore National Employers Federation Council.
Since the Ministry of Home Affairs joined ACCORD in June 2007, MINDEF and MHA have leveraged on each other’s expertise for close partnership with the community, in reaching out to the employers, families and fellow Singaporeans on issues concerning the defence of our nation. More importantly, both ministries are working hand-in-hand to give greater recognition to National Servicemen’s contribution to the defence of our nation. Today’s visit by ACCORD and employers to the Police Coast Guard Headquarters is an excellent example of all stakeholders working towards the common objective of Total Defence of Singapore.
Total Defence Of Singapore
During previous visits, ACCORD members have been exposed to the land-based capabilities of two Home Team Departments – the Home Team Academy and Civil Defence Academy. Today, we are happy that ACCORD members will also be able to appreciate the maritime-capabilities of the Home Team, in their first visit to Police Coast Guard’s Brani Base.
Singapore’s unique geographical position as an island-state with porous borders means that ensuring the safety and security of Singapore’s coast is paramount to the nation’s defence. The Mumbai attack in 2008 has highlighted the vulnerability of a city open to sea-routes. Terrorist cells around the world continue to use such sea-routes to their advantage, smuggling operatives, equipment and explosives in preparation for mounting deadly attacks. The Police Coast Guard thus plays an essential role in ensuring that such terrorists are denied operating space in Singapore waters.
The Police Coast Guard achieves this mission by leveraging on technology, yet we remain mindful that success ultimately depends on our best asset - that is, our people. As such, we have invested heavily in training to equip not only our full-time officers but also our National Servicemen with the necessary skills and knowledge to maximise and enhance their operational capabilities. Here at the Police Coast Guard, state-of-the-art simulation and integrated tactical training systems are used to give realism to our officers’ learning experience and further enhance their operational capabilities in detecting and responding to maritime threats.
Contributions Of NS Personnel
Just like in MINDEF, full-time and Operationally Ready National Servicemen play a critical role in the Home Team. They contribute immensely to the daily operations of the Home Team through anti-crime patrols, fire fighting, rescue and ambulance services, just to name a few.
Hence, MHA is constantly looking at optimising the deployment of our National Servicemen, in order to ensure that they remain current and relevant for both peacetime and National Emergency scenarios. The Home Team does this by continually reviewing its National Service organisational structure to reflect the growing responsibilities and roles of NSmen.
One of the strategies arising from this is to deploy NSmen to the frontlines where they can be most effective. With the opening of 12 more MRT stations on the Circle Line in October this year, more officers are now needed to safeguard our public transport system. This need has prompted the Singapore Police Force to review its National Service manpower requirements for the Singapore Police Force’s Transport Security Command (Transcom).
Another example of the expanded role played by our National Servicemen is the Coastal Security Patrol Force (CSPF) which operates here at the Police Coast Guard. The CSPF is a dedicated land-based patrol force that serves to enhance coastline security and respond to illegal landings. Every day, National Servicemen patrol alongside their regular counterparts, showing steadfast dedication in securing our coastal security.
Our pool of NS officers is thus a valuable resource to the Home Team as they complement the regular forces in both operational and non-operational duties. These officers are trained to perform the full range of roles as their regular counterparts, and are deployed alongside them for safety and security coverage, not only for major events but also during regular day-to-day operations. Now, more than ever, the Home Team needs to tap on our National Servicemen to support ever-changing operational demands.
Importance Of Employers’ Support
This brings me to the importance of support from the employers. The critical roles played by National Servicemen alongside their regular counterparts during major and routine operations would not have been possible without the steady support and understanding of employers such as you. Your support is demonstrated when you release your employees for their National Service obligations, allowing them to focus on their in-camp training and mobilisation exercises.
A key factor that enables our National Servicemen to perform their duties effectively and efficiently is their level of physical fitness. As such, we also seek your continued support to promote a healthy lifestyle in your companies which will in turn enable National Servicemen to maintain their level of physical fitness. This will ensure that they are able to perform their roles and responsibilities in peak condition.
In recognition of such strong and dedicated support towards National Service from employers, a total of 66 companies were presented with the Home Team National Service Award in October. Four winning employers were given further recognition when they were inducted into the Minister’s Honours Roll for their exemplary support for their National Servicemen. Currently, there are 17 companies in this list. I look forward to seeing more companies initiated into this league in the future.
Conclusion
On this note, let me once again thank each and everyone for your presence this afternoon. Your dedicated support is crucial in our shared mission to keep Singapore safe and secure. I welcome your views on how we can further strengthen our NS regime and I look forward to your continued contribution towards Singapore’s total defence.
Thank you.
