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SINGAPORE - Amid ongoing tensions and the potential for conflict in the South China Sea, it is important to build confidence between the militaries of Asean and its eight key partners, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday (Nov 18). Citing the Asean-US and Asean-China maritime exercises, he said the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus grouping has to know one another despite the differences, and find ways to build confidence, if not trust. "We have been pushing for multilateral exercises and indeed, we have been doing 18-nation exercises in counterterrorism," he said. "You are not going to solve these differences without communication." Dr Ng was speaking to reporters ahead of the 6th ADMM-Plus meeting in Bangkok on Monday. He was asked about the criticism United States Defence Secretary Mark Esper had against Chinese activities in the South China Sea when he met the Asean ministers. The ADMM-Plus meeting was attended by ministers from 10 Asean countries, plus … [Read more...] about Important to build confidence between Asean and partner militaries amid ongoing tensions: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE - Militaries are being reshaped by the threats and opportunities in the cyber domain, but with rules of engagement still vague in this new battlefront, there is an urgent need for a rules-based order, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Wednesday (June 26). This rules-based order is needed to prevent serious disruptions and even the loss of lives, and to protect the functioning of society, especially when the cyber arena will become more contested, he added. Speaking at the opening dinner of the second Singapore Defence Technology Summit at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dr Ng highlighted the cyber threat as among the newer, non-conventional ones that militaries around the world need to be prepared for, in addition to their traditional missions to protect sovereignty. He said that, compared to a year ago when he spoke at the first summit, the technological space has become sharply contested, driven in part by US-China tensions. Last week, the United States said it was adding … [Read more...] about Urgent need for rules-based order in the cyber domain, which will be more contested: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE - A high-level committee will be formed to build an integrated cyber force to defend Singapore against cyber threats, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Monday (March 2). This committee - led by the permanent secretary for defence development and the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) - will be examining ways to "recruit soldiers of the right aptitude, their training and deployments", he added. Said Dr Ng: "In the SAF's history, this is as important as raising another service, just like the army, navy and air force, namely to build an integrated cyber command and force to defend our digital borders, especially against foreign cyber actors, both state and non-state who seek to undermine our stability and/or pose a threat to national security." This Singapore Armed Forces cyber command will have to provide threat assessments and early warning against cyber attacks, and respond accordingly, he added. Threats in the cyber domain was among three "clear and present" security … [Read more...] about Parliament: SAF to restructure to deal with cyber, terrorism, maritime threats

SINGAPORE - The Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) plans to restructure to deal with piracy at sea, including beefing up its assets, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday (Feb 3). "That review is expected to be complete in the next few months," he said in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC). He said extra measures are useful to prevent a further rise in the number of sea robbery and piracy in the Singapore Strait. The task force of the Singapore Navy was set up in 2009 and works with law enforcement and maritime agencies to guard Singapore's waters, including conducting daily patrols as well as boarding and escort operations in the Singapore Strait. Dr Ng noted that the number of piracy and sea robbery in the waterway "fluctuates considerably from year to year". There were 48 cases in 2014, 104 in 2015 and 31 last year. In the remaining seven years of the last decade, there was an average of 12 incidents … [Read more...] about Parliament: Maritime Security Task Force plans to restructure amid rise in piracy in Singapore Strait

THERE appears to be no silver lining in sight for those who provide in-person services amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Jolene Kang, who owns a traditional Chinese reflexology and massage centre in Penang, said business for the past one year had dropped by 80% compared with the same corresponding period in 2019. “There were many phases of the movement control order (MCO) where we had to deal with closing and reopening the shop more than once since March last year. “In all, we only operated for about seven to eight months. “Even when we reopened for business, many customers were afraid to leave their homes due to the pandemic. “We understand their fears but it has affected us badly as we cannot do house calls as well, ” she said when met at her shop in Prangin Mall, Penang. Kang (centre) arranging furniture at her new massage centre at Prangin Mall, George Town. “I moved to a bigger shoplot as rental rates have gone down. “It is near an eatery and this shoplot can cater … [Read more...] about Aching for return of clients