WHOISTODEFENDTHE10MPOPULATIONIN

SINGAPORE?



This question looks remote. Then how about who are the
defenders of the more than 5 million people in Singapore?
The automatic and natural answer is the national service
personnels, and in a more inclusive way, all under the Total
Defence.

There is no official denial of the 10 million population. It looks
like the PAP-led Singapore is getting serious to be a future
super city. With a weak or softening property market, it seems
to be a good idea to come out with this suggestion. It will
help to push or sustain the property price and stabilize the
market.

We currently have more than 5.3 million residents in
Singapore. Of which, more than 1 million are foreign workers
and maids. When the population reaches 10 million, we will
have 2 million foreign workers and maids. However, citizens
serving the National Service is not expected to increase due to
low birth rate.

The citizen army of NSmen will then have to protect 10 million
population as well as a bigger economy, several times larger
than the current size. This, of course, is a happy picture if the
projection is correct: bigger population, bigger economy, and
higher GNP per capita (but necessary a fairer distribution of
income). With such a richness and wealth, who is going to
protect Singapore? Foreign talents, foreign workers or maids?

Foreign talents can find opportunities elsewhere. Perhaps,
foreign workers and maids will have less choice, either to
return to their home countries or move to other places. What
if they decide to fight along side with Singaporeans against
foreign invasions, will we grant them and reward them with a
citizenship for their sacrifice?

It is easy to increase population by just importing foreigners.
Not only for Singapore, people from lower income countries
or developing economies are willing to risk their lives to find
ways to go to USA, Europe and Australia. If USA is to announce
a free entry of 10 million people from any place in world, it
can easily reach this target within a few days provided
logistics and transportation problem can be solved.

The harder question is who is going to protect Singapore in
time of crisis. Who is going to protect the USA, Europe and
Australia? Imported foreigners?

Total Defence


www.mindef.gov.sg

In the total defence concept, economic defence is just one of
the five pillars. As explained above, the military defence, even
equipped with modern weaponry, is not capable to defend a
population of 10 million, perhaps not even 6.9 million.

In addition, in a state of low public trust and divided
Singapore, it is equally challenging to maintain a high level of
readiness for civil defence, social defence and psychological
defence. What can the PAP promise or assure Singaporeans a
bright future with this constraint and without transparency
and accountability?

Social media and opposition politics have enlightened
Singaporeans. Singaporeans now demands more information,
open debates, and dont believe the PAP is always right. Even
if there is no objection of the Total Defence concept, people
will question the rational, the connections, and the effects of
the increased population.
Psychologically, socially, politically and economically are we
ready for a 6.9 or 10 million population even if this is a
so-called long-term planning? When the Total Defence 2014
Short Film - Hands (see below) was released on 1 February
2014, did they have the total population in mind? Is the video
projecting a scenario of 6.9 or 10 million population?




Fewer than 9000 people watch this video as at 4 August 2014, what does it mean?


Defending Singapore, our home?

Who are we defending in a Singapore of 10 million people?
When about half of the population are not Singapore citizens,
how do we define our home? We really need a re-framing,
re-definition of Singapore, our home?

We will have to re-examine the Total Defence in a wider and
broader way too.

[Total Defence involves every Singaporean playing a part,
individually and collectively, to build a strong, secure and
cohesive nation that is prepared and able to deal with any
crisis. It is our approach to dealing with threats and challenges
that arise.] www.mindef.gov.sg

What is the meaning of 'every Singaporean' in a future city of
10 million people? Will there still be a PAP government in
future where this Total Defence is based?