Latest news with #FirdausGhazali
AsiaOne
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Bro-code before go-mode: Meet the duo leading NDP 2025, Lifestyle News
Today, the world celebrates International Day of Friendship (July 30), a United Nations-recognised occasion that celebrates the power of friendships (across cultures, backgrounds and borders) to spark connection, build understanding, and make the world a better place. And there's no better moment to shine a spotlight on one of the most important partnerships behind this year's National Day Parade (NDP). This year marks Singapore's 60th birthday, and NDP is set to be bigger, louder, and prouder than ever. But beyond the fireworks and feel-good music, there's serious work happening on the ground, literally. The Parade and Ceremony segment alone will feature a record-breaking 40 marching contingents and about 2,100 participants, all moving in perfect sync to honour the nation. And leading this monumental effort? A dynamic duo who've become more like brothers than colleagues: this year's Parade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Firdaus Ghazali, and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Lim Jie Hui. In the spirit of camaraderie, we take a closer look at their behind-the-scenes bond and how they have been prepping for Singapore's biggest celebration of the year. Because before it's go-mode on 9 Aug, it's bro-code all the way. Three jobs, one goal: perfect harmony MWO Jie Hui wears multiple hats. By day, he's Chief Master Trainer at the Infantry Training Institute and Brigade Sergeant Major for the 5th Singapore Infantry Brigade. But this year, he also serves as Parade RSM for NDP 2025. According to him, it's almost like "I've got three jobs." Coordinating over 2,100 participants from 40 contingents is no easy feat. The toughest challenge? "Training under the hot sun," says MWO Jie Hui. "The weather is quite a killer. But I think what is most important is the participants' safety and well-being - it is our top priority, because NDP is a journey. The end point is 9 Aug, but the journey has to be a positive one." The 46-year-old likens the training process to preparing for operations. "To move so many people, your training outcome has to be very progressive. And your training plans have to be very sharp." Still, the reward is worth it. "Looking at all the participants, the commitment they put in... the blood, sweat and tears... that is the most rewarding. If kids and very senior people can do it, then I feel like I can't be less than that." The Parade Commander who gets birthday cards sorted (with his wife) While MWO Jie Hui handles the parade's synchrony, LTC Firdaus - who is currently the Commanding Officer of the Motorised Infantry Battalion Training Centre 1 - leads it from the front, delivering ceremonial commands and ensuring everything proceeds with precision. But his leadership extends beyond parade square routines. Referring to himself and MWO Jie Hui, he says, "One of our initiatives is to write [participants] birthday cards." For the month of June alone, they handed out 250-plus birthday cards. "It is a small gesture, but I think it goes a long way to making sure that the participants are engaged and also motivated." Also helping them with this thoughtful task? LTC Firdaus' wife. "She helps me sort out the cards based on the months," says the 38-year-old, whose appointment as Parade Commander was a moment of disbelief. "I was really taken aback and very shocked. It took time for me to calm my nerves and [let the news] settle in." The first person he shared the news with was his wife, who had teasingly predicted the NDP appointment back when he became Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR). "She said something along the lines of, 'So what's next? Next year's Parade Commander?'" "We started from here" - and found a natural rhythm Though both men come from the Infantry Formation and knew of each other, they only truly began working with each other last year. Now? "We are quite chill. We disturb each other," says LTC Firdaus, laughing. MWO Jie Hui says the precision of the parade reflects detailed operational planning, a skill honed from years in the Singapore Armed Forces. "How we plan for operations to that minute detail - these are the skills that I learned from there and translated to parade training," he says. "We take this as an operation." Of 'Hormat President' and marching kids at home For LTC Firdaus, the most powerful parade command is clear. "'Hormat President'... that is the highest form of salutation within the parade proceedings itself. It will be accompanied later on by the national anthem. It will definitely touch one's soul." The love for NDP extends to his household. His firstborn son remade the Padang on the video game Roblox, while his younger son loves marching at home and is a fan of last year's Parade Commander, Colonel Roger Cheong. "He will always mimic Roger's command," Firdaus says. "When I give my commands at home, he will correct me... 'No lah, not like that.'" Off-duty rituals: ginseng soup and chicken rice debates Outside training, MWO Jie Hui's schedule remains packed, often working through weekends. "My wife tells me, 'You're the most boring husband now,'" he says, laughing. Still, he finds joy in the little things, like a comforting plate of steamed chicken rice. When we ask him which component (chicken, rice, chilli) is most important to him, his impassioned answer is: "You cannot go there and ask uncle, 'Uncle, chicken, no rice' or 'rice, no chicken'. Must be a combination of the three - including the chilli!" he insists. Favourite stall? "Boon Tong Kee." LTC Firdaus also shares his favourite go-to meal. "Prata plaster and teh tarik," he says, but adds quickly, "I always try to cut both before any parades! And then for dessert, iced cheng tng." To keep his voice strong for NDP, his wife prepares a special dish. "She will cook this ginseng herbal chicken soup, all halal ingredients. She will cook it in two pots: one for the kids without the ginseng, and the second pot with ginseng for me. These are all the small little gestures that I really appreciate." Trust the training, and each other For both men, NDP is more than a job, it's a reminder of what matters. "NDP is not an entitlement. It is a privilege. If we do not continue to keep our Armed Forces strong, we will not be able to celebrate National Day," says MWO Jie Hui. "As a Singaporean, it is a day when we remind ourselves that we are here today because of what our predecessors, our forefathers, have built." As a father and husband, he sees NDP as a teachable moment. "It is an opportunity for me to engage my kids, to help them understand how we got here, because by understanding history, they can better move forward." LTC Firdaus echoes the significance of this appointment in his life. "Being a Parade Commander is one of the highest achievements. It is definitely a career milestone for me, and I treasure it a lot." Meanwhile, one thing is clear: Before the nation sees precision, these two lead with heart. [[nid:720528]] This article was first published in .
AsiaOne
12-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
SG60 NDP to see largest number of marching contingents at Padang in over 30 years, Singapore News
This year's National Day Parade (NDP) marks 60 years since Singapore gained independence and will feature 40 marching contingents — the largest number for a parade in the Padang since 1990, where there were 70. NDP 2025 parade and ceremony chairman, Colonel Lim Yu Sing said this during a media event at the National Gallery on Thursday (June 12). The parade and ceremony segment, led by parade commander Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Firdaus Ghazali, will comprise about 2,100 participants from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, including 18 civilian contingents, he added. Also speaking to media at the National Gallery, LTC Firdaus said that being a parade commander had always been his childhood dream. While participating in NDP 2002 as a performer, he remembered catching a glimpse of the parade and ceremony segment during rehearsals. "I developed a deep appreciation for parades and their significance as the heart and core of our NDPs," he said. This parade also represents the first time the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is participating with a Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent, alongside the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Deputy Commissioner (Operations and Resilience) Ling Young Ern stated that the SCDF had received feedback from members of the public suggesting it should be included as part of the GOH contingent as it is "one of the three uniformed services safeguarding the safety and security of the nation". Upon review, the Ministry of Defence and SCDF agreed that it would be "very fitting" for SCDF to be included in the GOH contingent at this year's NDP to celebrate Singapore's 60th year of independence, he added. Additionally, this year's parade will also see the inaugural participation of a full Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps' (SAFVC) contingent as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Row A contingent commander and SAFVC volunteer Arlene Pang likened her 10-year stint in the Corps to advancing from Primary to Secondary school. "I feel like I've grown up with the SAFVC as a volunteer, and at the same time, the SAFVC has grown up with me," she said. "I've seen how different leaders have come in to bring SAFVC to the next level and to make it what it is today." Public uncasing ceremony for SAF Colours This year, the annual SAF Colours uncasing ceremony, taking place in Marina Square, will be open to members of the public before the National Day parade and ceremony. Moreover, spectators at the Padang will get to watch the 127-member live choir up close. Formed by Greendale Secondary School students and singers from arts group Voices of Singapore, the choir will perform NDP 2021's theme song, The Road Ahead, on elevated platforms positioned near the seating galleries. They will be accompanied by a 100-piece band comprising members from the SAF, SPF, Singapore National Cadet Corps Command, and National Police Cadet Corps Bands. As part of the evening's proceedings, members of the 10 uniformed youth organisations at the parade will form the words "Majulah 60" — a nod to NDP 2025's theme Majulah Singapura and the nation's birthday — during the state flag flypast. This will occur just after the President's arrival at the Padang. Those without tickets to the parade at the Padang need not feel left out. Members of the public will still be able to witness the four 25-pounder guns at Marina Bay, which will sail around the bay on the SAF's Mobility 3rd Generation rafts, coming close to The Promontory @ Marina Bay. The parade and ceremony will conclude with the onward march, where contingents from the SAF, Home Team and uniformed youth organisations will march through the spectator stands as they exit the Padang. [[nid:718877]]
