Introduction
Total Defence Day (15th February) marks the British surrender of Singapore to the Japanese
during World War 2. This annual event reminds us that the task of nation-building is not
easy, and that we must work to preserve our present prosperity and stability.
TDD 2013 Theme – "Total Defence -- Will You Stand With Me?"
TDD 2013 seeks to convey the message that we are able to enjoy what we have in Singapore
today because of the determination and hard work of generations of Singaporeans who
have stuck together, overcoming many challenges along the way and bringing Singapore
forward to what it is today. As long as we remain united as one, we will succeed in building a
secure and bright future for ourselves and our children.
What is Total Defence?
As a young nation with no natural resources and small population, reliant on a conscript
military force, Singapore has learnt from the experiences of countries like Switzerland and
Israel how best to augment our defensive capabilities with the strength of our larger
community. To this end, Total Defence was introduced in 1984.
Recent events like the rise of non-government terrorism have shown us that conflict no
longer needs to take the form of military force. Societies can be destabilised by
environmental disasters, social inequality and unrest, and even the vagaries of the global
stock market. Total Defence provides the holistic framework for a comprehensive and
integrated response to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. Whether it is a security
threat such as global terrorism, or a national crisis like SARS, Total Defence brings together
all relevant stakeholders – government agencies, private sector organisations and
Singaporeans – in a coordinated effort to deal with these threats and challenges effectively.
When Singaporeans take personal responsibility for and get involved in the defence of
Singapore, they are playing their part in keeping Singapore safe and secure.
The five aspects of Total Defence represent the key pillars of society and illustrate how
Singaporeans can get involved in defending the country. When we take National Service
seriously, volunteer in civil defence exercises, help build a strong economy, strengthen
community ties with one another regardless of race and religion, and commit to protecting
our community, we are striving to strengthen Singapore’s resilience as a nation in every
sector of society.
Credits to: http://www.ne.edu.sg/files/Total%20Defence%20Day%202013.pdf