Good Afternoon PRIDE Activists, Ladies and Gentlemen,

2.         2004 has been a significant year for MINDEF and the SAF.  We answered the call to support several national and international operations such as peace support missions in Iraq and the Tsunami relief effort.  The PRIDE Movement that began some 25 years ago had prepared us well to respond quickly to these challenges and changes with innovative and adaptive mindsets.  Through it all we had done well.  It is on this note, that it gives me great pleasure this afternoon to officiate at the 18^th MINDEF PRIDE Day.

3.         The theme for this year’s MINDEF PRIDE Day is “Transformation through PRIDE – A Learning Journey”.  The PRIDE Movement provides a good foundation for transformation.  Hence the concept of “Transformation through PRIDE”.  To date, 247 MINDEF/SAF units have achieved at least one national standard of ISO 9000, People Developer Standards (PDS) or  Singapore Quality Class (SQC).  We have achieved these certifications not for certification sake, but rather as a validation of the good work of our people and that MINDEF and SAF units have achieved world-class standards of performance. These business and quality frameworks have enabled MINDEF to push the envelope on performance.  MINDEF/SAF also introduced Enhancing Value Organisation (EVO) three years ago.  EVO helps units to provide alignment and clarity.  It measures units’ successes by defined outcomes and outputs.  As at now, EVO has been proliferated to 50% of the SAF population.

4.         Under the ambit of the MINDEF Productivity and Innovation Committee, I am glad to see that a new MINDEF Innovation Council was established in April this year, chaired by the Chief of Navy.  This Innovation Council will chart out our innovation journey at the strategic level, taking into consideration that a culture of innovation and capacity to change is crucial in the transformation to the 3G SAF.  Transformation is operationally and tactically relevant, as we require these same traits in our 3G servicemen on the battlefield.  A networked SAF provides more freedom of action and autonomy, and demands more local initiative, decision making and adaptability.

5.         It is thus paramount that we continue to learn and grow in the area of innovation, a key enabler for our transformation journey.  The unprecedented employment of an unmanned surface vessel, namely the Protector, by our Navy in security operations during the recent Gulf deployment is a good example of innovations in operational environment.  Such innovative ideas and experimentation will be the cornerstone of our journey forward.  

6.         With the creation of the Innovation Marketplace last year, and the development and rollout of the Innovation Pipeline, a flagship programme that aims to increase and accelerate the throughput of innovations in MINDEF, I am confident that many will uncover new and creative ways to add value to our organisations.

7.         As we face increasing expectations from the general public, the focus of MINDEF has evolved beyond simply satisfying the public to exceeding their expectations.  Today, MINDEF has taken a more consultative and responsive approach.  Service excellence is very important; it is the final step in the delivery of our products and our services to the people whom we work with.  The MINDEF STAR Service Award seeks to recognise star service performers who have consistently delivered excellent quality service in challenging situations.  It also aims to inspire others to do likewise. Previously the MINDEF STAR Service Award was given at the respective Services PRIDE Day.  This year, the MINDEF STAR Service Award has been elevated to be given out at the MINDEF PRIDE Day.

8.         In this aspect, I would like to commend Air Logistics Squadron – Sembawang Air Base for winning the S-CLASS Award last year.  This award is conferred by SPRING Singapore to recognise organisations for their quality service culture.  Like CMPB before them, ALS – Sembawang Air Base has over the years been conferred the ISO 9000 certification, the People Developer Award, the Singapore Quality Class, the Organisational Excellence Award and the i-CLASS Award.  I urge all MINDEF departments and SAF units to emulate them in their quest for Organisational Excellence.

9.         While we continue to improve and strive for innovation and excellence, there are ground sentiments that too many initiatives are being introduced.  The concern is that there may be overlaps in the various programmes.  MINDEF Systems Organisation will address this by introducing an overarching structure to synergise our various PRIDE initiatives into one holistic MINDEF Excellence Model.  The objective is to balance the operational workload with organisational excellence initiatives.  MSO will first implement a trial within the Navy in August 2005.

10.       MINDEF has continued to be in the forefront of the public sector’s productivity movement.  At the last PS21 ExCEL Convention and National Innovation and Quality Circle Convention, MINDEF continued to bag many awards.  And in terms of Economy Drive, I would like to mention the $5.5 million saved from the “S-211 Trainer Aircraft Structural Upgrade” by Air Logistics Department (ALD).  Instead of engaging the Original Aircraft Manufacturer, ALD developed an in-house structural life extension programme that will increase the average fatigue life of the aircraft from 5,500 flying hours to 8,000. This and other 357 projects undertaken last year helped to achieve total savings of 4.1% of our total defence budget.  Well done !

11.       I would like to congratulate Air Logistics Squadron – Sembawang Air Base for being the winner of the 2004 Minister for Defence Award and the 2004 MINDEF Excellence Award.  Despite the heightened operational tempo called upon you last year, you have focused on your quest for innovation, service quality and organisational excellence. 

12.       Finally, my heartiest congratulations to all award winners.  I commend every PRIDE activist for their hard work and continual display of innovation in contributing to work improvement in MINDEF and the SAF.

13        Keep up the good work, and I wish all of you another productive and transformational year ahead. 

Thank you.

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