Interesting. I would have tot the answer would be
the president as Singapore C-in-C.
Under the SAF pledge, soldiers are supposed to bear "true faith
and allegiance" to the president.
However, pursuant to the SAF Act, a commander is defined as
"commander" , in relation to any person subject to
military law, means an officer of or above the rank of captain or a
senior military expert for the time being commanding a unit or
units or part of a unit of the Singapore Armed Forces;
That means that the person would either have to be an officer or
a senior military expert.
"officer" means a person appointed by the President of
Singapore or the proper authority to hold the rank of officer in
the Singapore Armed Forces and includes any person commissioned as
an officer under any written law that is repealed by this Act;
"senior military expert" means a military expert of or
above the rank of ME4;
So not withstanding that the president can appoint himself an
officer or a senior military expert, the fact that he hasn't would
mean that he is not a "commander" under the SAF Act.
Accordingly, the highest ranked officer would be CDF. In short,
Singapore C-In-C would be CDF.
That's a great answer from you. Thanks. I wish that the PAP
would make it clear on who is the C-in-C. While the oath may cause
people to think it is SR nathan, however, de facto, it is the CDF.
In the US, the President is C-in-C by ex officio. the Chairman of
the Joint chiefs of staff is the highest ranking officer but not
C-in-C.
But I feel that PAP not clarifying who is the de
jure C-in-C can cause confusion.
But your answer is good. Thanks for it.