There was a highly interesting article in today’s Today
An American soldier contributed an article about the challenges that the SAF faces, especially with young commanders and lack of combat experience, and the key point, the racial imbalance in some units.

Perhaps the most controversial claim by the US soldier was that “official discrimination against the Malay population remains an open secret” and those of the race are “systematically kept out” of sensitive areas.

Mr Walsh claims that this has two major consequences: It “limits the involvement of the ethnic group most inclined to join the military” and it feeds the “perception of a second-class status among Malays, a fact which terrorist recruiters have taken advantage of before, and they may do so again” — referring to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members arrested in Singapore for plotting terrorist attacks.

Addressing this charge, Col Lim said: “The writer’s prescription for ethnic integration in the SAF seriously underestimates the challenges of building ethnic and religious harmony in Singapore.

“Singapore has made much progress in ethnic and religious integration. Singapore does not gloss over the fact that there is yet more to be done and addresses these challenges directly and openly.”

Stressing that integration in the SAF would proceed in tandem with nation-building, Col Lim added that there are a good number of Malay SAF officers, some with higher degrees, whose studies were sponsored by the SAF, and whether a Malay SAF officer makes it to a higher appointment depends solely on merit.

In fact, Malay officers have risen through the ranks and held senior appointments.

“We have Malay pilots, commandos and air defence personnel. Those who have shown the potential to take on higher appointments in the SAF are given every opportunity to do so. Malay officers in the SAF hold key appointments such as Commanding Officer,” said Col Lim.

“In fact, the proportion of eligible Malays selected for specialist and officer training is similar to the proportion for eligible non-Malays.”

How many Malays are there in 1Cdo?  How many signallers are Malay?  How many COMBAT (as opposed to helicopter and transport) pilots are Malay?  How many armoured infantrymen or tankies are Malays?  How many Malays are there in the entire Navy? 

Mindef’s stand is that there’s a good mix.  Well show us the proof then.  I remain open-minded that maybe we do have Malays in the key units, even though my unofficial sources and my NS experience doesn’t coincide with this point of view.  Nonetheless, to remain credible, MINDEF has to allow a few of them to be interviewed, n shut the American up. 

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