NSmen among 88 honorary aides-de-camp reappointed, with 24 new ones added to corps
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SINGAPORE – For Major Muhammed Saufi Abdul Rashid, serving the Office of the President for the past three years has been an opportunity to witness history.
As an honorary aide-de-camp (HADC) to the president, he has played a role in executing national events such as the swearing-in of Singapore’s new Cabinet on May 23 at the Istana.
The 37-year-old told The Straits Times: “You cannot purchase this experience with money... The satisfaction is something that you cannot replace.”
Maj Saufi, who is a deputy commander in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and a technical specialist at medical technology company Medtronic Singapore Operations, is part of a group of officers drawn from the Republic’s uniformed services. The group comprises both regulars and national servicemen like himself.
HADCs support a group of four full-time aides-de-camp in planning, managing and executing functions and events attended by the President. They serve in this role on top of their main appointments or civilian jobs, typically serving for three years, and can be reappointed thereafter.
On May 26, he was one of 88 HADCs reappointed to the role by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Bukit Gombak.
Speaking at the event, the President highlighted Maj Saufi’s story as an example of the rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences among this year’s appointees.
He said: “Maj Saufi’s journey is testament to grit and growth. On graduating from the Institute of Technical Education, he kept learning and moving up in the job and today leads as a project manager.”
Maj Saufi also leads 250 reservist personnel in the SCDF and volunteers as a mentor to Malay youth.
President Tharman said: “His story is a reminder that where we started life should never determine what we achieve in life.”
Along with reappointments, 24 new HADCs were appointed to the corps. One of them is Military Expert 4 Devaraj Chandramoorthi from the Digital and Intelligence Service, the newest service in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
(From left) ME4 Devaraj Chandramoorthi, a military intelligence expert at the Joint Intelligence Command of the Singapore Armed Forces; ASP Jelene Ong, an operations officer at the Crime Control Division of the Singapore Police Force; and Maj Muhammed Saufi Abdul Rashid, deputy unit commander of 31 Rescue Unit in 3rd SCDF Division at the Mindef Annex Building.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
ME4 Devaraj, 32, who trained as a lawyer before joining the SAF, sees the role as an opportunity to go beyond his daily work.
“To me, it’s an extension of the armed forces into the civic space, where I can contribute to supporting the President in representing Singapore in diplomacy and also supporting our national events for Singaporeans – honouring them for their public service to the country,” he said.
Another new appointee is Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jelene Ong, 32.
ASP Ong has been a Chinese-language presenter on crime-prevention television programme Crimewatch for the past three years while working as an operations officer with the Singapore Police Force’s Crime Control Division.
Being an HADC is an opportunity to serve and learn on the world stage, she said.
“I hope to learn and develop the skills needed to serve effectively in this role, particularly in state-level protocol and ceremonial functions.”
She will be doing so alongside her husband, ASP Soh Wei Hao, 34, who was on May 26 reappointed to the same role.
The couple have a 14-month-old son, but want to challenge themselves while they are still young, ASP Ong said. “If not now, then when?”
Acknowledging the sacrifices HADCs and their families make, President Tharman said many juggle this commitment on top of full-time professional lives.
The past year has been an “especially full one”, he added.
Honorary aides-de-camp support a group of four full-time aides-de-camp in planning, managing and executing functions and events attended by the President.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Beyond domestic and international engagements, the President’s Office has also played a key role in the planning and conduct of the swearing-in of Singapore’s fourth prime minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, and his Cabinet, a “moment in history of generational importance”, he added.
The President also highlighted the different perspectives HADCs bring from various fields including medicine, aviation, finance, the civil service and even arts and culture.
“This professional depth adds real value... Your perspectives sharpen your ability to read the room, engage with people across different backgrounds and cultures and adapt to different situations.
“You also expand the collective knowledge base of my office, helping us stay attuned to developments in different sectors.”
He also paid tribute to 12 retiring from the corps.
He said: “I thank you for your contributions. I hope that you look back fondly upon the experiences and friendships forged over these years.”
