Total Defence gets personal in 25th year

Jermyn Chow, Straits Times 5 Feb 09;

THE annual drive to remind Singaporeans of their role to play in defending the country marks its 25th anniversary this year by getting back to the basics and asking: 'What will you defend?'

Organisers want to 'get personal' with every individual. They would like each man, woman and child to think about what is important enough to them to fight for, and share their views with others.

Colonel Lim Kok Siong, director of the Defence Ministry unit, Nexus, which runs the campaign, said organisers felt the message should not be from the top down, the way it was when it first started in 1984.

'It's not a government agency that owns or drives the campaign,' he said.

The concept of Total Defence was introduced to remind Singaporeans of the nation's limited national resources and how modern warfare would not spare civilians from the suffering of war. Everyone needs to play a part to deter a potential aggressor. Constraints have not really changed now, said Col Lim, as people are still Singapore's only resource.

But the threats have broadened. As it was then, Total Defence is a rallying call to pull together as a nation to weather any crisis - including the deepest recession Singapore has ever seen.

Total Defence Day is observed every year on Feb 15, the day in 1942 that Singapore fell to the Japanese during World War II, a grim reminder of a small country's vulnerability.

Unity is crucial, said Col Lim. He said: 'When you have the confidence that people are with you and will support you, you can overcome fear and move ahead.'

Twelve faces were chosen from all walks of life to front this year's campaign - from a full-time national serviceman to Ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh.

One of the 12 chosen, Madam Yang Chek Salikin, a nurse at the Institute of Mental Health, said she would defend the well-being of her patients. Said Madam Salikin, 55: 'They are close to my heart and I want to ensure that they get the best of care and best medicine.'

Individuals can also make their voices heard through an online video contest. The best submission that is sent to www.whatwillyoudefend.sg/takepart stands to win an Apple MacBook worth about $1,500.

So far, more than 100 videos have been submitted.

Another highlight is a 30-minute musical revue written by local playwright Jonathan Lim. Titled Five Pillars, One Roof, the musical will be performed on Feb 15 at Suntec City when Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean launches the Total Defence 25 campaign.

Cheering the move to take the message to the individual, Mr Lim said: 'The Government trusts us enough to let us talk about Total Defence, so why not let ourselves be heard?'

An interactive exhibition will also go up from Feb 15 at Suntec City to showcase the works of youth and students. The top 10 animation clips chosen for the N.E.mation contest, which is in its third year, will be on display.