SINGAPORE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday urged his countrymen to stand shoulder to shoulder with commitment and pledge to keep Singapore safe, secure and sovereign for the next generation.
"On Feb. 15th every year, the sirens sound to declare our resolve for Total Defence. Every Singaporean can play a part in Total Defence," said Ng.
The minister delivered the Total Defence Day Message at the former Ford Factory at Upper Bukit Timah Road, where the British formally surrendered Singapore on Feb. 15, 1942.
He said the period of subjugation and deprivation taught that generation two bitter but valuable lessons -Singapore cannot depend on others to defend; and the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
In his speech, the minister urged all Singaporeans to do their part in building the five pillars of Total Defence - Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological. He stressed that Singapore can be only as strong as Singaporeans have the collective will to do so.
"As a small country, others know that we are vulnerable to external pressures and will test our resolve and tenacity. Psychological defence will give us the resilience to overcome these pressures," he added.
