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New Paper
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations
The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan. He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre - as the commander of the mobile column. The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets. For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies. NDP 2025 will also see LTC Chan, who is chief of staff for the SAF's 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan. The pair will be leading the mobile column in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank. "It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son," said LTC Chan, 48, whose day job involves him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital. Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was "super excited" to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as to have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close. The pair's participation is in line with one of the mobile column's four thematic segments for 2025, titled From Generation To Generation, which emphasises the continued strengthening of Singapore through generational commitment to defence. The mobile column will feature stories of men and women from the SAF and Home Team across generations, said Major Teo Wei Kok, chairman of the NDP 2025 mobile column, noting that veterans would also be appearing. Major Teo Wei Kok said that the mobile column will feature stories from across generations. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces," he added. Among those participating with their family is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay, who will appear in a video featurette during the mobile column with her 11-year-old daughter, Shermaine Goh, and her son, Edward Goh, nine. Deputy Superintendent of Police Stella Tay will appear in a video featurette together with her son Edward Goh and daughter Shermaine Goh. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "It's a very rare chance to be able to bring the children to work so that they experience what I do," said DSP Tay, 38, who is with the Singapore Police Force's Public Transport Security Command. "I hope that I can be a good role model to them," she added. With his father also part of the police force, Edward aspires to follow in both his parents' footsteps to become a police officer. DSP Tay said she just wishes for her children to have a positive impact on others, whatever their careers. "Whatever they want to be, just contribute back to society," she said. The mobile column's other thematic segments highlight the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore and the coordinated defence capabilities of the SAF and Home Team, as well as their contributions to global security and ability to conduct a wide spectrum of operations. MAJ Teo noted that 2025 marks the 18th mobile column - the mobile column first appeared in the 1969 NDP and is typically held during milestone years, with the previous iteration held in 2019 to mark Singapore's bicentennial celebrations. Singapore commemorates 60 years of independence in 2025, as well as the 60th anniversary of the SAF. For the first time, the mobile column will include air and maritime elements, in addition to the drive-past along St Andrew's Road. "We will see an aerial fly-past, and at Marina Bay we'll see a maritime display with vessels from the navy, the Home Team as well as the Maritime and Port Authority," said MAJ Teo. While the mobile column has typically showcased the army and Home Team's vehicles and artillery, the MPA is included as it is an important partner in ensuring the Republic's maritime security, he added. MAJ Teo also recognised some 200 people who work behind the scenes to support operations for the mobile column, such as road marshals and the logistics team. "Without them working tirelessly behind the scenes, there will be no mobile column," he said. Assets appearing in the mobile column for the first time include the army's Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, the navy's Combatant Craft Underwater, the police's Tactical Strike Vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's second-generation Medical Support Vehicle. Selected vehicles will also enter the Padang show stage during the drive-past, giving spectators a closer look at these vehicles. On Aug 10, some of these assets will travel from the city centre along five routes to various heartland celebration sites to give more people a chance to see them up close. Details of the routes and heartland sites will be released at a later date.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Prowess, pride and peace: A National Day Parade ride to remember
SINGAPORE – 'You could take a little trip around Singapore town, in a Singapore city bus' – so go the lyrics of Singapore Town, a popular National Day song first performed in 1967 by The Sidaislers, a singing group from St Andrew's Cathedral. On the afternoon of June 21, I found myself going around downtown, not in a Singapore city bus, but aboard a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Leopard 2SG main battle tank – one of 66 assets taking part in the mobile column drive-past for the 2025 National Day Parade (NDP). Equipped with a 120mm main gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, the tank was one of several vehicles that members of the media were invited to ride in that day. Other SAF assets included the Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier – an articulated armoured vehicle developed by ST Kinetics and the Defence Science and Technology Agency – and the Light Strike Vehicle, a fast and lightweight anti-tank vehicle that can be mounted with a variety of weapons. I jumped at the chance to ride the Leopard 2SG tank, which I had seen so many times at NDPs over the years. Although I served my national service in the army, the largest SAF vehicle I had sat in was the five-tonner truck – though I did belt out 'C-130 rolling down the strip' during my basic military training, a marching song inspired by the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. Standing in the Leopard 2SG as it rolled along a 3km route from Nicoll Highway to St Andrew's Road and back gave me a new vantage point to view familiar landmarks such as the Civilian War Memorial, the former City Hall building and the Esplanade. Seeing such vehicles on the roads here has become a familiar spectacle during the annual National Day celebrations, stirring feelings of pride and excitement for many Singaporeans. However, I realised the sight of tanks rolling down city streets will evoke very different emotions elsewhere in the world. They are harbingers of fear rather than celebration, often associated with political turmoil, loss and deep uncertainty. In post-independence Singapore, the destruction of our city has only ever been fictional – depicted in the movies Ah Boys To Men and Independence Day: Resurgence. But in the Middle East, Ukraine and far too many other places, war has reduced cities to rubble and left lives in tatters. That sobering contrast made me grateful for the safety and security that my family and I enjoy in Singapore – a peace protected in part by the same vehicles, artillery, as well as the men and women we will see at the Padang on Aug 9. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Prowess, pride and peace: A National Day Parade ride to remember
Members of the media riding the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank as part of the media experiential ride in downtown Singapore on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO SINGAPORE – 'You could take a little trip around Singapore town, in a Singapore city bus' – so go the lyrics of Singapore Town, a popular National Day song first performed in 1967 by The Sidaislers, a singing group from St Andrew's Cathedral. On the afternoon o f June 21 , I found myself going around downtown, not in a Singapore city bus, but aboard a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank – one of 66 assets taking part in the mobile column drive-past for the 2025 National Day Parade (NDP). Equipped with a 120mm main gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, the tank was one of several vehicles that members of the media were invited to ride in that day. Other SAF assets included the Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier – an articulated armoured vehicle developed by ST Kinetics and the Defence Science and Technology Agency – and the Light Strike Vehicle, a fast and lightweight anti-tank vehicle that can be mounted with a variety of weapons. I jumped at the chance to ride the Leopard 2SG tank, which I had seen so many times at NDPs over the years. Although I served my national service in the army, the largest SAF vehicle I had sat in is the five-tonner truck – though I did belt out 'C-130 rolling down the strip' during my basic military training, a marching song inspired by the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. Standing in the Leopard 2SG as it rolled along a 3km route from Nicoll Highway to St Andrew's Road and back gave me a new vantage point to view familiar landmarks such as the Civilian War Memorial, the former City Hall building and the Esplanade. Seeing such vehicles on the roads here has become a familiar spectacle during the annual National Day celebrations, stirring feelings of pride and excitement for many Singaporeans. However, I realised the sight of tanks rolling down city streets will evoke very different emotions elsewhere in the world. They are harbingers of fear rather than celebration, often associated with political turmoil, loss and deep uncertainty. In Singapore, the destruction of our city has only ever been fictional – depicted in the movies Ah Boys To Men and Independence Day: Resurgence . But in the Middle East, Ukraine and far too many other places, war has reduced cities to rubble and left lives in tatters. That sobering contrast made me grateful for the safety and security that my family and I enjoy in Singapore – a peace protected in part by the same vehicles, artillery, as well as the men and women we will see at the Padang on Aug 9. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations
Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Alex Chan Kwok Hoh helping his son Chan Jinghoi put on his helmet during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations SINGAPORE – The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan. He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre – as the commander of the mobile column. The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets. For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies. NDP 2025 will also see participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan. The pair in a Leopard 2SG m ain b attle t ank. 'It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son,' said LTC (NS) Chan , 48, whose day job sees him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital. Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was 'super excited' to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close. The pair's participation is in line with one of the mobile column's four thematic segments for 2025 , titled From Generation to Generation, which emphasises the continued strengthening of Singapore through generational commitment to defence. The mobile column will feature stories of men and women from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team across generations, said Major Teo Wei Kok , chairman of the NDP 2025 mobile column, noting veterans would also be appearing. NDP 2025 Mobile Column Committee Chairman Major Teo Wei Kok at the F1 Village during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO 'We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces,' he added . Among those participating with their family is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay, who will appear in a video featurette during the mobile column with her 11-year-old daughter Shermaine Goh and her son Edward Goh, nine. Deputy Superintendent of Police Stella Tay together with her son Edward Goh and daughter Shermaine Goh during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO 'It's a very rare chance to be able to bring the children to work so that they experience what I do,' said DSP Tay, 38, who is with the Singapore Police Force's Public Transport Security Command. 'I hope that I can be good role model to them,' she . While Edward aspires to follow in both his parents' footsteps and become a police officer, DSP Tay said she just wishes for her children to have a positive impact on others, whatever their careers. 'Whatever they want to be, just contribute back to society,' she said. The mobile column's other thematic segments highlight the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore and the coordinated defence capabilities of the SAF and Home Team, as well as their contributions to global security and ability to conduct a wide spectrum of operations. Major Teo noted that 2025 marks the 18th mobile column – which first appeared in the 1969 NDP – is typically held during milestone years, with the previous iteration held in 2019 to mark Singapore's bicentennial celebrations. Singapore commemorates 60 years o f independence in 2025 , as well as the 60th anniversary of the SAF. For the first time, the mobile column will include air and maritime elements, in addition to the drive-past on St Andrew's Road. 'We will see an aerial flypast, and at Marina Bay we'll see a maritime display with vessels from the n avy, the Home Team as well as the Maritime and Port Authority,' said Major Teo. While the mobile column has typically showcased the army and Home Team's vehicles and artillery , the MPA is included as it is an important partner in ensuring the Republic's maritime security, he added. Major Teo also recognised some 200 people who work behind the scenes to support operations for the mobile column, such as road marshals and the logistics team. 'Without them working tirelessly behind the scenes, there will be no mobile column,' he said. Assets appearing in the parade for the first time include the army's Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, the navy's Combatant Craft Underwater, the police's Tactical Strike Vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's second-generation Medical Support Vehicle. Selected vehicles will also enter the Padang show stage during the drive-past, giving spectators a closer look at these . On Aug 10, some of these assets will travel from the city centre along five routes to various heartland celebration sites to give more people a chance to see up close. Details of the routes and heartland sites will be released at a later date. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
