SINGAPORE - Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La hotel on Monday to recognise the contributions of some 300 volunteers serving on 41 Ministry of Defence (Mindef) boards and committees.

The volunteers are industry experts in the private and public sectors who contribute in areas such as medical, safety, financial, legal and National Service management to help Mindef ensure that their policies and processes remain sound.

Speaking at the event, Dr Ng thanked the volunteers for being a steadfast source of strength to Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

"You provide valuable advice on medical and healthcare policies for our servicemen, and adjudicate in legal appeals. Others have helped to enhance public commitment to defence. Your collective efforts help us to ensure higher standards and help us to benchmark against best practices elsewhere," he said.

Dr Ng also presented certificates of appointment and re-appointment to 51 volunteers at the annual dinner.

In attendance too were Minister of State for Defence, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, President of the Military Court of Appeal Justice Choo Han Teck, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Defence Force (Designate) Major-General Perry Lim, Chief of Army Brigadier-General Melvyn Ong, as well as senior Mindef and SAF officials.