Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

It’s no secret that National Service (NS) commitments can be demanding. Forty-five-year-old Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin can certainly vouch for this statement.

From being an Assistant S3 in 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB) back in 2008 to becoming its Chief of Staff, the 45-year-old has served more than a dozen high-key In-Camp Trainings (ICTs) and seen the brigade grow from strength to strength.

“The overseas high key exercises were the most memorable. We once spent nine days outfield overseas, in a two-sided exercise through a scorching hot summer,” LTC (NS) Suhaimi fondly recalled.

“The NSmen (Operationally Ready National Servicemen) still talk about it today. We really roughed it out.”

Total Defence is special and must be defended

On 10 Oct, LTC (NS) Suhaimi was among 144 recipients who were presented with the Total Defence (TD) Advocate Awards at the annual Total Defence Awards Dinner.

As the CEO of investment and asset management company Quantedge Capital, he received the TD Advocate Award (Small and Medium Enterprises).

“Even though we run a global business, we’re a Singaporean company at heart. Our leaders have always believed in the importance and significance of NS.”

He added that it is important for Singaporeans and businesses in Singapore to do their part if they want to preserve their way of life.

“What we have in Singapore is something special and precious, and it must be defended.”

In 2019, Quantedge Capital formalised their pro-NS policies, with the belief that if they want their NSmen to contribute wholeheartedly to NS, then the company should play a part too.

One of their initiatives includes discouraging deferment from any call-up for ICT. Additionally, they incentivise Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) achievement and good performance with further cash awards.

Looking ahead, LTC (NS) Suhaimi hopes to see more of their employees achieve excellence in both their professional careers and NS contributions.

“Our employees know that when they are away from the office in service of the nation, they need not worry about their work or their careers. We back them up in the office because we want them to excel in their NS obligations,” he said.

The Total Defence (TD) Advocate Awards were presented to 39 Organisations, 64 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), 26 Large Companies and 15 Individuals. These awards are the highest accolade given in recognition of their support toward TD.

Supporting people from all walks of life

Also among this year’s TD Advocate Award recipients is Ensign InfoSecurity (Singapore) Pte Ltd, one of Asia’s largest cybersecurity pure-play companies.

It provides career opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships and upgrading for Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnic students as well as members of the autism community through the Autism Resource Centre.

“Some (of our employees) may come in from an academic path; others, a mid-career transition. We want to make a clear pathway for them. Different people from different backgrounds come to learn, grow and build a full career,” said Mr Gaurav, who is the company’s Head of Advisory & Emerging Business.

When Mr Gaurav went for a two-week ICT recently, doubts crossed his mind initially. “Will my team be able to handle it (while I am away)? Will they worry about the work being passed down to them?”

Thankfully, everybody in the team understood the importance of NS.

“What I’m most proud of isn’t (the fact) that each individual goes back and serves. (It’s) that other individuals willingly step forward and covers (for one another).”

“You focus on your ICT. We’ve got your work covered,” was how the 45-year-old felt his team was telling him while he was away.

When asked what Total Defence means to him, Mr Gaurav said: “When it comes to digital defence, we are part of the solution. We are part of the ecosystem of providers that helps keep companies and individuals safe.”

He added: “This award is recognition that our team has been coming together, making sure that those who need to go back for ICT can focus on their duties, and the rest can cover their work.”