World won’t deal with S’pore without credible defence, which rests on every soldier: Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE – The rest of the world will not deal with Singapore if it does not have a credible defence force, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on July 1.

This credibility rests on the effort of every soldier – not just the defence minister or the military’s leadership, Chan said at an SAF Day rededication ceremony at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) building in Hill Street.

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day falls on July 1.

Citing the recent Shangri-La Dialogue, a defence summit held in late May, Chan said people want to partner Singapore because they know the country is trustworthy and credible. “People listen to us; people talk to us.”

The dialogue brought together top defence officials from around the world and was held at the Shangri-La hotel in Singapore.

National servicemen have done well to build this credibility over the years, said Chan, who thanked them as well as SAF regulars for their service. But the minister cautioned against complacency.

“We need to get it right the first time, every time, all the time. But any adversary will just need to get it right one time, any time.”

The business community’s continued support for national service (NS) is also important, said Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services.

When investors come to Singapore and are curious about the strength of the country’s defence, all they need to do is ask businessmen if Singapore’s companies support operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) and full-time national servicemen (NSFs), he added.

“They will know that we have NSFs and NSmen who are able to focus on their duties and are able to put up credible capabilities for the defence of Singapore,” he said, as he thanked the business community for its support as well.

Chan also expressed his appreciation for the families of those who serve in the SAF.

“You are part of our defence ecosystem. It is only with your support that our NSFs and NSmen can continue to focus on their duties in defending our nation day in, day out.”

Defence is a “whole of nation” business, he added, and what Singapore has today is the result of the efforts of the entire country.

It is very easy to see normality here and forget the extraordinary work needed to maintain it, Chan said.

“Every ordinary day itself is an effort amid all the turmoil of the world.”

SCCCI holds an annual rededication ceremony for SAF Day.

At the ceremony on July 1, the chamber’s president, Kho Choon Keng, said that since Singapore’s early years of independence, SCCCI has been committed to building a stronger nation by uniting businesses to support NS, among other efforts.

SCCCI, the apex body of the Chinese business community in Singapore, will continue harnessing the strength of its community, and remains committed to contributing to Singapore’s long-term peace, stability and prosperity, he added.

It will do this through its continued efforts in economic development, national defence and education, he said. The chamber turns 120 in 2026.

At the ceremony, an NSman, Lester Tan, led the audience – including Chan, Kho and business leaders – in reciting the National and SAF pledges, as well as singing the National Anthem.

This was one of four rededication ceremonies held across Singapore on July 1. A total of 460 NSmen from 290 companies and organisations attended the ceremonies.

The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises organised one attended by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat at Temasek Polytechnic, while the Singapore Business Federation held another attended by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at Marina Bay Financial Centre.

Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli attended another ceremony organised by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation at Suntec City Convention Centre.

Later in the evening, Chan attended a parade marking SAF Day, held at the SAFTI Military Institute in Upper Jurong Road.

Officiating the parade was President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, with more than 3,000 people in attendance.

Those present included Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming, as well as Chief of Defence Force Aaron Beng and other senior defence officials.

At the parade, President Tharman presented the State Colours to the 1st Commando Battalion, which clinched the title of Best Combat Unit.

Chan later presented awards to the 12 active units and 18 NS units that received top honours in competitions recognising the best SAF units, as well as 20 NSmen for their contributions to defence.

Among those who attended the parade was a group of about 200 cadets from the National Cadet Corps, who got up close to the military assets on display, said the Ministry of Defence.