Total Defence

The Total Defence concept entails the mobilisation of Singapore's total resources to defend the country against all forms of attacks: both military and non-military. It is a concept that takes into consideration the small size of the country that has limited manpower, a multi-racial and young population wholly dependent on world trade, and no natural resources.

Total Defence involves not only the Singapore Armed Forces, but also, the civilian population. There are 5 components in Total Defence:

Psychological Defence builds on national pride and identity;

Social Defence builds the bonds for racial harmony and reinforces national integration in a multi-racial society so that a strong nation of committed citizens will emerge;

Economic Defence lays emphasis on the intelligent use of scarce natural resources, limited land area, and heavy reliance on human resources, technological skills and capital investments. It ensures that the competing demands of the military and the economy can be accommodated in times of crises;

Civil Defence ensures that in times of emergencies, the safety and basic needs of the community will be met. It means that the civilian population is in a state of preparedness and well-trained in rescue work, evacuation, first-aid and damage control;

Military Defence is the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces and the responsibility of reservists, full-time national servicemen and regulars to deter and counter aggression.

Total Defence Logo
The Total Defence logo best illustrates the concept. It is in the shape of a hand to represent "unity and completeness". The Total Defence concept would not be fully functional if it lost one of its "fingers". And no finger can function as a 'hand' on its own.

Total Defence Day is on 15 February commemorating that fateful day in 1942 when British forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese.



Author
Eugene Tan Hwi Choon



References 
Koh, Y. Y. (1987). Total Defence: A booklist. Singapore: National Library, Bukit Merah Branch.
(Call no.: RCLOS 016.3550095957 KOH)

Total Defence: The total picture. [1987]. Singapore: [Minolta].
(Call no.: RCLOS 779.93550335957 TOT)

Integrate For Total Defence. (1989, December 18). The Business Times (Singapore), p. 22.

Safeguard sovereignty with total defence. (1995, July 1). The Straits Times, p. 24.

The defence ministry's new plans. (1994, January 13). The Straits Times, Home, p. 24. 

Mindef. (2003). Total defence newsletters. Retrieved October 18, 2003, from www.totaldefence.org.sg/mediaroom/newsletters/main_newsletters.asp

Mindef. (2003). Total defence online. Retrieved October 18, 2003, from www.totaldefence.org.sg/index.html 



The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>National Security>>Defence
National security--Singapore
Economic policy
Social policy
Law and government>>Security



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