tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post6020161277954973613..comments2024-03-16T15:49:59.567+08:00Comments on Senang Diri: Singapore Armed Forces versus cynics and critics in the halcyon days of peaceDavid Boeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401913253357584603noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-22413225214994390352018-06-05T12:31:17.675+08:002018-06-05T12:31:17.675+08:00Really quite amazed that this comments thread is s...Really quite amazed that this comments thread is still alive after like 6 years! Reading back at the arguments presented but all the RATIONAL commentators gives me the feeling that I'm looking back at an issue from the future, if you get my drift.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I still think that the issues being discussed at relevant and even more so in today's fragile security situation in the region. Everybody is so on-edge and one wrong step in any realm of international relations (military, economics and trade etc..) would result in very serious consequences.<br /><br />Responding to naysayers who don't believe that Singapore has anything that a foreign aggressor wants, I say to you, we don't even need to go that far. As a people, as a nation, our right to self-governance and self-determination is a sacred right that we must defend at all cost. Having a strong military is an enabler for us to have that right.<br /><br />Pedra Branca has been ruled as a Singaporean territory. An invasion of that island by any foreign force is an act of war. If Singapore does not have the means to safeguard her territories from foreign invaders, and simply acquiesce to that island being invaded, then before you know it, the invaders will be on our shores. A repeat of horrific events 73 years ago.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15869298088150923100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-18997834271652595282017-07-27T15:53:04.777+08:002017-07-27T15:53:04.777+08:00Just came across this blog. Have to say Anonymous&...Just came across this blog. Have to say Anonymous's analysis is as objective as it can get, while Barrie's seem to be a tad too rhetorical and lacking the substance of argument to counterpoint the OP's or Anon's comments.<br /><br />Shigurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05869634881044951323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-86446292342778775382013-05-16T08:23:25.752+08:002013-05-16T08:23:25.752+08:00Why did we educate so many Singaporeans but they r...Why did we educate so many Singaporeans but they remain SO obtuse with regards to why we need a strong defense - <br /><br />We may not have any natural resources but we have alot of unnatural resources today aka money.<br /><br />If you cant protect it, people will take it. DUH. <br /><br />Take your land, take your money, take your home, take your belongings, take your dignity, take your identity, take your freedom and erase your existence.<br /><br />For those who say this wont happen, just leave your house door open wide wide, post a public invitation to enjoy, go on a holiday for a week and see what happens when you return.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-12484262147242968662013-05-09T22:11:16.127+08:002013-05-09T22:11:16.127+08:00I'm not a smart man and politics and stuff don...I'm not a smart man and politics and stuff don't really bother me. But allow me to share some words my Warrent Officer OC shared with me during SISPEC, which inspired me till this day (not mentioning names in case he gets into trouble for saying this).<br />"Why are you here? To serve the nation? For honor and glory? Fuck you! You think i give a fuck about the ministers or the goverment? No. Let me tell you why you're here gentlemen. You must learn how to defend yourself and your loved ones. Because if anything happens, at least you know you can do something about it and not cry and wet your pants. And since you have no choice, you better fucking deal with it and make full use of your time."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-4530673372802568652013-05-09T21:03:17.999+08:002013-05-09T21:03:17.999+08:00Yeah. Fuck Singapore!Yeah. Fuck Singapore!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-82434409813129082482012-05-24T10:41:17.200+08:002012-05-24T10:41:17.200+08:00the thinker May 19, 2012 5:19 PM: Why compare the ...the thinker May 19, 2012 5:19 PM: Why compare the number of patrol vessels? Malaysia and Indon PV do not have a single guided weapon. At least ours have torpedoes and variable depth sonar. Don't forget our "retired" Harpoon-armed missile gun boats are still sitting in port. And how sad are the MY and Indo air forces?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-85218856556240771392012-05-23T23:21:12.599+08:002012-05-23T23:21:12.599+08:00Fully agreed.Fully agreed.pedogohnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-21226569901892390902012-05-23T23:19:00.449+08:002012-05-23T23:19:00.449+08:00Looking at Barrie's blog, I'm not sure he ...Looking at Barrie's blog, I'm not sure he intends the best for Singapore at all... Deriding Singapore as Sinkapore? That is, perhaps, his true motive. To many, our failure is their wish. To coerce us, first they have to rid Singapore of SAF. And with the SAF being a citizen army, where else do you strike first? Beware the anonymity behind blogs... Claimed Singaporeans, perhaps even actual Singaporeans, may not have Singapore's interests at heart.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-85963232422119042102012-05-20T20:23:25.111+08:002012-05-20T20:23:25.111+08:00Why does Malaysia/Indonesia/anyone want to invade ...Why does Malaysia/Indonesia/anyone want to invade Singapore? Why did Imperial Japan make Singapore its prime objective during their 1941 offensive? <br /><br />But aren't Malaysia/Indonesia/insert-country's-name our friends now? In 1935 Britain was very good friends with Imperial Japan, in fact the Royal Navy taught the Imperial Navy everything it knew about aircraft carriers and how to use them. Anyone want to remind us what happened in the waters off Kuantan on Dec 10 1941?MYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-57633790271825674202012-05-20T17:05:42.118+08:002012-05-20T17:05:42.118+08:00Fear mongering? can you see the future?
well, if ...Fear mongering? can you see the future?<br /><br />well, if you are GOD and can give all singaporean a peace guarantee backed with an army of angels.<br /><br />please send down your angels to defend us, and all will gladly ask our govt to stop spending on defence.<br /><br />but... alas, you are not the almightly one. <br /><br />so i must humbly rely on SAF for now and in the future, better safe then sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-44772681774727978712012-05-20T13:12:39.524+08:002012-05-20T13:12:39.524+08:00Fear mongering continues. Still no answer to why t...Fear mongering continues. Still no answer to why they want to attack us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-89241055822770532802012-05-20T11:16:58.797+08:002012-05-20T11:16:58.797+08:00all you people very funny, got the entire argument...all you people very funny, got the entire argument upside down still didnt realise.<br /><br />the purpose of defence spending is to deter the enemy, to convince the enemy not to play play with us.<br /><br />what good would it does to convince ourselves if the enemy dont believe we are spending sufficiently on a credible defence?<br /><br />at the end of the day, its not singaporeans that must be convinced, its the enemy we need to convince, so they wont invade us. <br /><br />or does anyone here believe that singaporeans are going to invade singapore?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-18974870186275060662012-05-20T01:18:13.999+08:002012-05-20T01:18:13.999+08:00one man's rubbish is another man's treasur...one man's rubbish is another man's treasure.<br /><br />a man throws aways a porcelin bowl, while another man paid a hundred million at the auction to own the same bowl.<br /><br />just because you cant see the true value of singapore, doesnt mean that everyone (especially the agressor) cant see it too.<br /><br />at the very least, to the mundane us, singapore is where our home and family is. how much is your family worth?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-69135721617226951042012-05-19T20:22:20.684+08:002012-05-19T20:22:20.684+08:00"the thinker" :
Firstly, only two comme..."the thinker" :<br /><br />Firstly, only two comments cited being likeable in any form- the first comment and Barrie.<br /><br />Secondly, neither said we can depend on being likeable for our security. The first commenter said ties, not security, have improved with our likeabilty. This is true.<br /><br />Barrie talked about fear-mongering and a lot of things going on in the Middle East. To the extent that the fear-mongering is conscious policy, it is true.<br /><br />I don't see anyone naively saying being likeable will keep us safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-54752684407242710952012-05-19T19:31:59.854+08:002012-05-19T19:31:59.854+08:00Still more fear spreading and the main issue "...Still more fear spreading and the main issue "Why they want to attack us" is not answered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-14634845242540431582012-05-19T17:19:04.860+08:002012-05-19T17:19:04.860+08:00on a comparison with just our neighbours' navy...on a comparison with just our neighbours' navy with us. if anyone thinks we are overspending, let this be put into perspective: just patrol vessels alone, indonesia has 31 ships, and malaysia has 25. in comparison, we have 12, and our full navy strength is 32.the thinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14724002433862102584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-72135986186571884792012-05-19T16:49:41.221+08:002012-05-19T16:49:41.221+08:00it's almost laughable to see people continue t...it's almost laughable to see people continue to do exactly the same that was condemned as stupid and ignorant in the article. cursing and swearing without any evidential support and hiding behind a pseudonym. <br /><br />@barrie, you mentioned that if they wanted to cut singapore out, they would go for control of air/sea space. take a look at the map and ask yourself why both malaysia and indonesia wants pedra branca so badly? In the light of current disputed islands in the world, did any of you honestly think they would bring the matter up to the world court if they had any inkling that a direct conflict would not lead to a direct loss, or a substantial compromise to their current military strength, leaving them in danger of attack by indonesia? <br /><br />the world is not as pretty as you think. you assume that we don't get attacked because we are likable? weak but likable characters in primary school or secondary schools all end up bullied, what makes you think we are any different? <br /><br />people who are sitting around "talking paper army" claim that we are likable and don't need army, but insist on us highlighting the historical tensions between us and our neighbours. if only you knew just within the last 5 years, how close we went to war with our "friends" in 2 separate occasions. <br /><br />taiwan population: 29 million. 1 year NS<br />singapore population: 6 million (long shot estimate), 2 years NS.<br /><br />that would effectively give taiwan an estimated 2.5 times our effective army strength.the thinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14724002433862102584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-86668271223370222332012-05-19T12:46:54.542+08:002012-05-19T12:46:54.542+08:00Lets be honest.
We cannot and never will be able ...Lets be honest.<br /><br />We cannot and never will be able to change the way how our neighbour or others afar sees us from time to time.<br /><br />the only thing we can do, is to take our national defence seriously everyday.<br /><br />for me, each day of peace, is defence spending worth every cent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-88594692042571636422012-05-19T11:22:25.129+08:002012-05-19T11:22:25.129+08:00firstly, singapore is not on par with our neighbou...firstly, singapore is not on par with our neighbour in terms of size, resources and population. <br /><br />thus we need to spend alot on defence to "balance" the imbalance between us and whoever might wants to threaten us now or in the future.<br /><br />to seek parity in defence spending between us and our neighbour, without first looking at the circumstances singapore is facing is not really a good idea, in my opinion.<br /><br />Secondly, defining "over" spending on defence, is like telling a patient in a hospital, that he or she need to die so that the hospital can keep spending within its budget.<br /><br />while you are safe, spending any amount on security is always too much.<br /><br />when you find yourself on the wrong end of a gun barrel, no cost is too high to pay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-91363313187168404502012-05-18T15:35:22.080+08:002012-05-18T15:35:22.080+08:00Anon 7:41 AM:
The best equipment money can buy is...Anon 7:41 AM:<br /><br />The best equipment money can buy is counter productive if it spurs potential enemies to do the same. And you cannot blame them for doing so. In a war, it will mean more destructive potential unleashed on Singapore. Tremendous destruction that even our own best equipment cannot protect the homeland from.<br /><br />Introduction of new defence capabilities must be moderated over time. A healthy advantage in equipment is better than a temporary overwhelming advantage, because time and again, others will match up. And in war, the major part of advantage comes from training and a foundation in education which we already have. Victory in war has been and always will be about enlightened thinking.<br /><br />Singapore used to have equipment on par with our neighbour's, they would buy and we would match and operationalize the weapons better than they could. In the past decade we have adopted a practice of outstripping them with many new capabilities and they have been gamely playing catch up. That might be overspending and not in the best interest of our nation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-34404906879188779892012-05-18T07:52:50.411+08:002012-05-18T07:52:50.411+08:00Ladies and gentlemen, let's get back to the is...Ladies and gentlemen, let's get back to the issue proper - *over* spending on defence. NOT spending on defence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-5510922524959671302012-05-18T07:41:41.356+08:002012-05-18T07:41:41.356+08:00Singapore spending on defence is for the sake of o...Singapore spending on defence is for the sake of our people and our children.<br /><br />we have no intention to invade indonesia, but we must always be ready to defend our home against all aggressors.<br /><br />even though our country is small, even if our chances of victory is non-existant. i believe that singaporeans still have pride and would rather go down fighting to our last breath for our family.<br /><br />and as we risk our lives for our family, will our family not sent us to the frontline with the best equipment money can buy?<br /><br />how much is our father, brother, sons and daughters lives worth to us, are those serving in the military not our family members?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-81242914610638261352012-05-18T07:29:24.406+08:002012-05-18T07:29:24.406+08:00Defence spending is part of govt spending that dir...Defence spending is part of govt spending that directly contribute to the national economy through ripple effect as well. <br /><br />in singapore's case, we are not spending beyond our means, we still enjoy a healthy budget surplus in most years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-57874783242118010292012-05-18T06:16:07.553+08:002012-05-18T06:16:07.553+08:00Indonesia is not stupid. They want us to keep spen...Indonesia is not stupid. They want us to keep spending on defence instead of our economy because at least they can have a chance to eat into the economic pie. At the same time they know Singapore won't be the first to attack because it will also be the last. I think Singapore is the stupid one falling into their trap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2348464617577736454.post-38902195657964684652012-05-17T20:20:46.232+08:002012-05-17T20:20:46.232+08:00During a conference many years ago, I had a chance...During a conference many years ago, I had a chance to ask an indonesian colonel if indonesia feels unhappy over singapore's high defence expenditure.<br /><br />he said no, because he understand that singapore being so small needs to feel safe among its much bigger neighbour, from another POV, indonesia actually feels that singapore high defence spending is a form of respect to TNI.<br /><br />i ask him, if singapore reduce our defence expenditure by a large margin, would indonesia be happier?<br /><br />he replied NO! he explained that for singapore to reduce defence spending by a large margin, will indicate to indonesia that either singapore leaders have gone stupid or your govt think that TNI are run by idiots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com