Fact Sheet: Committee to Strengthen National Service

08 May 2013

At the Committee of Supply Debate 2013, Minister for Defence Dr announced that he would chair a Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS). The Committee had its first meeting today at the Basic Military Training Centre.

Composition

The CSNS comprises a Steering Committee of 20 members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to capture a broad spectrum of views and perspectives on NS. The members are:

1. Dr Ng Eng Hen [Chairman] Minister for Defence

2. Mr Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence

3. Mr Bin Masagos Mohamad Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

4. Dr Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower Chairman, REACH

5. Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Defence 6. Dr Lim Wee Kiak Chairman, Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs

7. MG Chief of Defence Force,

8. Mr Chan Yeng Kit Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence

9. MG Ravinder Singh Chief of Army, Singapore Armed Forces

10. Mr Suresh Divyanathan Partner, Oon & Bazul LLP

11. Mr Andy Lee Founder, Sengkangbabies Blog

12. Dr Bervyn Lee Director, Office of Student Life, Singapore Management University

13. Dr Luisa Lee President and Chief Executive Officer, The Farrer Park Company Pte Ltd

14. Mr Danny Lien Founder and Managing Director, Amos International (S) Pte Ltd

15. Mr Allan Lim Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Biofuels Pte Ltd

16. Mr Lim Jim Koon Editor-in-Chief, Chinese Newspapers Division, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

17. Mr Ridzuan Bin Ismail Chief Engineer, Catchment & Waterways Department, PUB

18. Mr Shaun Seow Chief Executive Officer and Board Director, Mediacorp Pte Ltd

19. Mr Gerald Singham Partner, Rodyk & Davidson LLP

20. Mr Wong Wei Peng Founder, Canact Pte Ltd The Steering Committee will be supported by two Working Groups. Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing will chair the "Support for NS" Working Group, to explore how we can motivate and help National Servicemen to maximise their contributions and abilities for NS. The Working Group will also look into measures to strengthen support for NS among the wider community. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr will chair the "Recognition and Benefits for National Service" Work Group to explore how to promote the recognition and appreciation of National Servicemen’s contributions.

Terms of Reference

The CSNS will recommend measures to strengthen NS as the critical institution for Singapore’s continued survival and success. A strong defence and security protects our sovereignty and way of life. The measures should further:

21. Motivate National Servicemen to give of their fullest in performing their duties;

22. Help National Serviceman balance these duties with family, career and personal commitments;

23. Strengthen support for NS from families, employers, schools, permanent residents, new citizens and the broader community; and

24. Promote recognition and appreciation of the contributions of National Servicemen.

Public Engagement

The CSNS will seek to engage Singaporeans through conversations on NS. Over the next six months, focus group discussions and town hall sessions will be organised to gather perspectives and ideas from our servicemen and from the wider public.

A Strengthen NS website (www.strengthenNS.sg) is set up as part of the overall public consultation and engagement effort. Members of the public can also use the website to participate in the public consultation and engagement effort, by submittingtheir ideas and feedback online or via email to . Online registration for public engagement sessions will be made available at a later [email protected]