Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Honorary Aide-De-Camp Appointment Ceremony and Appreciation Function 2022

Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State for Defence

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening. I am pleased to host the annual Appointment Ceremony and Appreciation Function for our Honorary Aides-de-Camp (HADCs) today. For the first time since the pandemic, we are able to gather the full HADC Corps in-person once again to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The past year has seen the resumption of events as Singapore transitions towards living with COVID-19. The HADCs adapted quickly and decisively to the changes in safe management measures, with many volunteering their time and service readily for duties. They work quietly in the background to ensure that the State functions and events run smoothly. At the same time, they act as the ambassadors of the President’s Office as they play a front-facing role interacting with guests and visitors in the Istana. In managing these varied roles, HADCs exemplified the highest professional standards, as well as the qualities of leadership, empathy, and resourcefulness.

This evening, I am pleased to appoint 102 HADCs, 23 of whom are new appointments. Let me extend my warm welcome to them. They come from different backgrounds and reflect the different uniformed services. Like their predecessors, these newly appointed HADCs have stepped forward to serve in the HADC Corps with the knowledge of the adjustments and sacrifice they will have to make whenever their services are called upon.

One of the newly appointed HADCs today is Assistant Superintendent Muhammad Eszham. Eszham joined the Singapore Police Force in 2005 and has been in service for 16 years. He received a sponsorship and study award to pursue his Bachelors and Masters degrees, while juggling the rigorous demands of policing work. As an HADC, he will be taking on additional responsibilities to support events in the Istana. Thank you and welcome, Eszham.

Joining the ranks of our women HADCs is Captain Stephanie Liew, an Artillery Officer who develops strategic communications plans to ensure the psychological resilience and readiness of our servicemen and women. I am confident that her experience as an HADC will be a fulfilling one and will provide breadth to her core responsibilities. I look forward to seeing more women in the HADC Corps.

We also have Major Muhammad Iskandar Dzulfadhli joining our HADC Corps. Iskandar is an F-15SG Fighter Pilot by vocation with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) whose day-to-day entails defending Singapore’s skies. You might have seen him in the aerial display segment at National Day Parade 2021. He has already begun his HADC duties and served most recently at the State Visit of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. I am sure that his role as an HADC and being on-the-ground at events will offer fresh perspectives that will complement his career as a fighter pilot.

Let me also express my appreciation to all the HADCs for all their hard work and sacrifice in the past three years. Earlier this evening, we witnessed the presentation of the certificates of appreciation to 18 HADCs who will retire from the Corps this year. I would like to thank all of them for their service and contribution over the years. In particular, I would like to mention Colonel (NS) Lim Jit Mee from the Army and Lieutenant Colonel Jason Chua from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Both officers have served the Presidency conscientiously for over a decade – 19 years for Jit Mee and 11 years for Jason! They have risen over the years to play leading roles in the Corps, and provided guidance to newer members from time to time.

As an NSman, Jit Mee shared that he was blessed to have good support from his peers, colleagues and family whenever he was called upon for HADC duties. He also shared memorable experiences such as meeting the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and receiving foreign dignitaries during Airport Duties. To him, the most rewarding experiences were planning, coordinating, and executing the Investitures of the National Day Awards with fellow HADCs. As a senior HADC, Jit Mee also helped to train and groom many generations of HADCs. He is a role model to many.

Appointed in 2011, Jason is currently the Commander of Woodlands Fire Station. He shared that while commanding a team of emergency responders in crisis incidents is a fulfilling and rewarding career, he is equally proud to represent the President’s Office and he has supported a range of events, from those involving foreign dignitaries to those for local communities. He is glad to have been able to make many new friends and connections with like-minded and highly committed colleagues through his experience as an HADC.

To Jit Mee, Jason and the 16 other retiring HADCs, thank you once again for your years of dedicated service and invaluable contributions. I trust that you have broadened your experiences and expanded your networks during your stint as HADCs. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

I would like to thank the Chief of Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of SCDF, Service Chiefs and all supervisors for your support in nominating some of your best officers into the HADC Corps, and for your continued support to these officers whenever they are called upon to serve my office. Your recognition of their efforts and continued support is imperative and necessary for them to serve without hesitation. With your strong support, the HADC Corps has gone from strength to strength. This will encourage and motivate more outstanding officers to step forward to serve.

In closing, I thank all HADCs for your dedication to the President’s Office. In particular, I would also like to extend my appreciation to your families and loved ones, as well as your supervisors and colleagues at work for their support and understanding when duty calls.

I wish everyone a pleasant and enjoyable evening ahead. Thank you.