"In a wider definition of Singapore's security requirements, national service is therefore as much a responsibility for parents as it is for our sons,"
"Hence, whether now or in the future, it will always be a fact of life for all able-bodied male Singaporeans." Phony, OCS Commissioning Parade, OCS 02 Oct 1995
Phony's hypocrisy is as breathtaking as it is audacious.
Imagine telling the parents and NSFs this with a straight face and without blinking his eyes or scratching his nose even as he knew his son was currently on an exceptional 12 year deferment at that time.
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DR TAN - ESSENTIAL TO HAVE PARENTS SUPPORT NS.
147th Prostitute Press
3 October 1995
PARENTS' acceptance and support for national service help form the cornerstone for Singapore's defence, said Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan on Sunday.
He was speaking at the first Officer Cadet Course commissioning parade at the Safti Military Institute since it opened in August.
Looking at the good turnout of parents, Dr Tan, who is also the Defence Minister, said that national service, arduous as it was, could be made more bearable if parents gave their sons emotional and moral support.
Whether servicemen regarded their training as an honourable duty or as a chore depended to a great extent on their parents' attitudes towards national service, he said.
"In a wider definition of Singapore's security requirements, national service is therefore as much a responsibility for parents as it is for our sons," Dr Tan said.To the newly commissioned officers, he said that the SAF depended on them.
He added: "As a small country with a small population, we can never build a credible defence force based on regular servicemen alone."
National service was the very basis for Singapore's continued existence as an independent nation-state, he said.
"Hence, whether now or in the future, it will always be a fact of life for all able-bodied male Singaporeans."A total of 143 officer cadets from the army and the air force were commissioned.
Dr Tan presented ceremonial swords to the two Sword-of-Honour winners, Officer Cadets Yeo Gek Chuan and Lim Jit Shyan.
Officer Cadet Philip Paul Regaspi Fortuno of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was also presented a ceremonial sword by Dr Tan on behalf of the Philippine President.
Senior SAF officers at the parade included Chief of Defence Force, Major-General Bey Soo Kiang; Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Kwek Siew Jin; Chief of Army, Brigadier-General Han Eng Juan; and Chief of Air Force, Brigadier-General Goh Yong Siang.