The SAF and SPF are truly lumber 1!

It's sad but perhaps a good reality check for our much vaunted Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Armed Forces to really look at themselves to see how good they are in defending our nation.

JI Terrorist Escapes - Where will the fingers point?
The escape of Mas Selamat Kastari, head of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist group in Singapore, whilst under the custody of the Internal Security Department (under Ministry of Home Affairs) throws up many questions on the true state of our security in Singapore Inc. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Mindef must be very relieved that this happened under MHA jurisdiction so the Minister of Defence does not have to explain if it was an "honest mistake" but perhaps the Minister for Home Affairs should as a courtesy to Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Foreign 'Talent' explain how a terrorist who was bent on planning terrorism acts against Singapore Inc could have escaped. To add insult to injury, it appears that Mas Selamat walks with a limp. Singapore has become the laughing stock of the world as we keep telling everyone we are world-class in virtually everything from electronic road pricing to ease at which terrorists appear to be able to slip out of supposedly secure detention centres.

Defending Singapore: Up Close and Personal
The defence of Singapore rests on our defence forces as well as the home team (MHA agencies). Having served 2.5 years in a combat unit during full time national service (NSF) in the SAF, I have gone for military exercises, participated in physical endurance activities and basically been treated like shite during that time. During my reservist comprising 10 years of annual in-camp training (ICT) comprising 7 high-key and 3 low-key ICTs, I did two operational tours of duty guarding installations in Singapore Inc. This was for real as we were issued with live ammunition and under legal authority within the rules of engagement to stop (i.e. give warnings and to discharge our rifles) should any threat to lives and property gazetted as protected places or areas occur or was about to occur.

During my last operational tour of duty before my unit went into Mindef Reserve, my S3 basically gave us a pep-down talk that was both condescending and demeaning. That was really the low point of our reservist duty to the country. He got his come-upperance as his car wheels were stolen (not that I condone stealing of any sort....but..) by person or persons unknown while parked in a multi-storey carpark. It is quite galling to think that while we were spending our reservist guarding the installations from the threats posed by JI, we allow JI detainees to escape so easily?

What is the point then of having all our billions spent on MHA and Mindef when we are not even able to do the most basic of things?

Outsourcing of defence and homeland security needs
If our own people are not able to do a good enough job, perhaps we should start outsourcing our defence and security needs to professionals? IT, banking and finance and even service sector is infused with many foreign workers who make up a large number of the workforce. They are critical to the smooth running of Singapore Inc. Security and defence are also the pillars upon which our GDP growth, wealth and multi-million dollar ministerial salaries are based. Why not outsource both slowly to market testing so that we reap the true benefits of globalisation. I dare say the gurkhas or a French foreign legion concept may actually work. Pilot test small bits of security e.g. guarding of JI detainees to professionals who charge professional fees to do a professional job. This is capitalism at its finest.

Sometimes I wonder what my 10 years of reservist means. Defending my fellow Singaporeans or defending Singapore Inc? Because my fellow Singaporeans are starting to dwindle even as Singapore Inc purrs ahead.