New jets probably factored in previous budgets. Maybe R&D
and more overseas training. We surely not the only ones
curious.
Feb 23, 2005
Total defence lies in public participation
By Dr Azmi Hassan
IT IS not surprising for the Singapore Armed Forces to own
sophisticated and formidable military weaponry as the Singapore
Government allocates a huge budget for defence.
For example, the SAF's capabilities are said to be the most
efficient in the Asia Pacific region because the weaponry it owns,
like the fighter jets and helicopters, are of the best class.
Singapore spends between 4 and 5 per cent of its gross domestic
product (GDP) annually on defence. This is a huge budget for a
country which is only 648 sq km in size, and which lies in a region
regarded as peaceful because it is surrounded by neighbours who
dislike hostility.
Malaysia allocates between 2 and 3 per cent of its GDP for defence,
but relatively speaking, Singapore's defence expenditure is usually
four times bigger.
It is not an exaggeration to say that, in terms of military
equipment for the army, navy and air force, what the SAF owns is
far better than what the Malaysian Armed Forces owns.
Undeniably, if Malaysia allocates up to RM25 billion (S$10.8
billion) annually for defence, just like Singapore, the MAF's
sophisticated weaponry would surely match the SAF's.
Currently, Malaysia allocates only between RM6 billion and RM7
billion annually to defence.
Another interesting point is the defence concept Singapore
practises - that is, how every issue Singapore faces is instilled
in its people's mind as issues and as challenges to their defence
and sovereignty.
The concept practised by Singaporeans appears to have succeeded as
the message conveyed to the public that they should always be on
guard has been very effective overall.
Therefore, Singaporeans are not bothered when some people describe
them as very kiasu as this attitude suits their Total Defence
concept.
Singapore has been practising this strategy since 1984. It is
included in its security concept and is called Total Defence. In
fact, every Feb 15 is Total Defence Day, and on this day,
Singaporeans are reminded that they should always be prepared to
face challenges.
The date was picked to mark Feb 15, 1942 - the day Singapore fell
to the Japanese army during World War II.
The choice of the date was deemed as most appropriate as it suits
the message intended to be conveyed - that is, bitter history
should not repeat itself.
When the issue of overlapping claims over Pulau Batu Putih is seen
from the Singaporeans' defence and sovereignty angle, it is not
something strange because Malay- sians also view this likewise, as
the issue is indeed closely related to defence and sovereignty
matters.
It is also not surprising for Singaporeans to feel that talks with
Malaysia on the water supply price is a national defence and
sovereignty issue because Total Defence practises this
strategy.
In fact, it is not an exaggeration to assume that whenever issues
involving Malaysia or other neighbours surface, Singaporeans would
perceive all these as being linked to their defence and sovereignty
problem.
So great is the impact and role of Singapore's Total Defence.
The phrase, 'a tiny red dot', which former Indonesian president B.
J. Habibie used in 1998, still haunts Singaporeans as the words
were uttered to belittle Singapore as a small country surrounded by
bigger countries, like Malaysia and Indonesia.
For a head of state whose country's population is many times larger
than Singapore's to issue such a statement would definitely leave a
deep impact on Singaporeans.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong was deputy prime minister then, and he said the
comment stigmatised Singaporeans by implying how small and weak
they are.
However, Singaporeans overcame the stigma prudently by turning the
humiliating comment into a Total Defence Programme, which painted
the picture that though Singapore is indeed a 'tiny red dot', it is
one strong entity if all Singaporeans are united.
Now, Singapore primary schools capitalise on the effect of the
'tiny red dot' stigma as teaching materials for their
students.
Therefore, when Taiwanese Foreign Minister Mark Chen gave Singapore
a name in a language that is not appropriate to be mentioned and
published but also implied the same thing as 'tiny red dot',
Singapore's leaders and its people could handle the issue
well.
Although the SAF does not have as many military personnel as the
MAF, by practising the Total Defence concept, it appears that all
four million Singaporeans will always have a role to play in
safeguarding their national security and sovereignty.
All the modern and sophisticated weaponry a country owns would
become useless if its people have a carefree and non-committal
attitude when faced with defence and security issues.
The Total Defence concept practised by Singapore truly fulfils its
defence doctrine, which gives priority to a defence strategy that
encompasses every aspect of its people's lifestyle.
By practising this concept, the Singapore Government can make
decisions very easily without encountering objections because every
action that it takes is based on Singapore's national defence and
sovereign interests.
Some Singaporeans feel that choosing Feb 15 to celebrate Total
Defence is no longer appropriate as present-day threats are totally
different compared to the time of World War II.
Nevertheless, the concept, which is imbued through this programme,
is totally appropriate as the current threat, which is borderless
terrorism, can be destroyed only through total public participation
and not through sophisticated military weaponry.
The writer is associate professor with the Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia. The original Malay version of this commentary appeared in
Berita Harian Malaysia on Feb 19.