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Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NDP 2025: Carnival games, street performances at expanded Marina Bay area celebrations
SINGAPORE – Those who have not been successful at securing tickets for the National Day Parade (NDP) live show at the Padang on Aug 9 will still get the chance to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy various activities around the Marina Bay area. These will include carnival festivities, live screenings of the show and interactive experiences scattered throughout the area meant to let as many people as possible have the chance to take part in the celebrations marking Singapore's 60th National Day. Audiences attending the spectacle in the Marina Bay area can also expect to see the State Flag Flypast and the Jump of Unity – a display during which parachutists from the Republic of Singapore Navy jump and dive into the Bay. A display of the nation's seaborne assets will also form part of the mobile column in the 2025 celebration. Speaking to the media on June 30, Lieutenant-Colonel Cephas Ong, chairman of the 2025 Bay celebrations committee, said the activities will let those in the area have a front-row seat to witness the show segments on the waterfront. 'All of this will make Marina Bay a very bustling area on Aug 2 and 9. The entire event is not ticketed. We welcome Singaporeans and members of the public to join us at the Bay to participate in celebrations,' said LTC Ong. The NDP committee said celebrations in the area, including at The Promontory, Bayfront Event Space, The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage and the Singapore Sports Hub, will offer distinct festivities. On Aug 2 and 9, no ticket will be required to enter The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage and the Singapore Sports Hub to enjoy the celebrations. Tickets are available for balloting for those who want to participate in partner activities with NTUC and Safra at The Promontory and Bayfront Event Space. Ms Natasha Choy, executive secretary of NTUC Youth, said those at The Promontory can expect to see a line-up of performances by young local talent, including rapper Shigga Shay and singer Estelle Fly. Meanwhile, those at Safra's Bayfront Event Space will be treated to a post-parade party. Those with tickets to the space and Safra members will also be able to enjoy discounts at the Uncle Ringo carnival. For people who want to enjoy the festivities at the Marina Bay area, there is the Bay Discovery Trail, a thematic walk spread across three zones that highlight the nation's heritage and multiculturalism through interactive booths and activities. On Aug 2 and 9, the first 5,000 participants to complete the trail each day will also be rewarded with an NDP pack. Participants can also look forward to performances in the area on Aug 2 and 9, including by 11-year-old violinist Anastasha Suchin and singers from the Singapore Institute of Technology's Vocalist Insight. Anastasha, who will be performing at the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre, said she has prepared a medley of songs for the audience. 'I chose the local favourites to remind us of where we started off, because most of them are from quite long ago, and the NDP songs are to show how far we have come from there and how far we have yet to go,' she said. Visitors will get the chance to dine at a food market from Aug 1 to 3 and on Aug 8 and 9. They can play games at the Uncle Ringo carnival as part of the experience till Aug 10. There will be handicraft stations where they can receive henna tattoos on Aug 2 and 9. They can also play capteh – which has its roots in ancient China – and other traditional games at specialised stations outside the ArtScience Museum on these dates. Mr Benjamin Tan, creative producer for the NDP 2025 show, said those in the Marina Bay area will receive a 'complete' experience on Aug 9. 'There will be speakers installed around the entire Bay area. There will be LED screens, and this is accompanied by a record-breaking multimedia projection on UOB Plaza and Fullerton Hotel,' said Mr Tan, adding that they have catered specific segments of the fireworks show for those at the Marina Bay area. He revealed that the light projection in collaboration with UOB and Fullerton Hotel has already broken three Guinness World Records, for the brightest, longest and tallest projection on a building globally. Participants will be able to take in the light projections on buildings in the surroundings and be delighted by fireworks, allowing those in the Marina Bay area to feel synchronised with the live show at the Padang. 'This integrated celebration allows more Singaporeans to participate in Singapore's 60th National Day celebrations as one united audience across both the Padang and the Bay,' said the NDP organising committee. Those who are planning to attend the celebrations in the Marina Bay area are advised to arrive early to avoid the crowds, as organisers expect some 200,000 people to participate. The organisers urge those taking public transport to arrive through Raffles Place, Esplanade, Promenade, Bayfront, Marina Bay, or Downtown MRT stations. Superintendent Dennis Lim, who is assistant director for the major security events division at the Singapore Police Force, said the expanded celebrations will come with a larger crowd. The authorities are expecting the events to pull in some 200,000 people. 'So with more crowds, you can expect that certain areas will need to be closed off for the safety of the public, as well as to maintain the safe capacity of the area,' he said. Supt Lim added that those looking to join the celebrations can use an information portal called Crowd@MarinaBay that will be made available to provide real-time information on crowd levels as well as area closures. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CNA
12-06-2025
- General
- CNA
National Day Parade 2025: SCDF to field guard of honour contingent for the first time
SINGAPORE: For the first time in Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) history, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will march alongside the armed forces and police as one of six guard of honour contingents. The guard of honour contingent units will also include the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Digital and Intelligence Service. The inclusion of SCDF in this year's guard of honour contingent is an affirmation of their key role in safeguarding the lives of Singaporeans, Deputy Commissioner Ling Young Ern told members of the media on Thursday (Jun 12). 'SCDF has always worked very closely with the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) and the SPF (Singapore Police Force) in our Total Defence strategy, so this inclusion … really reflects how the three uniform services come together in protecting our country,' he said. After celebrating 40 years of Total Defence last year, the Ministry of Defence and SCDF reviewed suggestions from members of the public to include the latter, Mr Ling said. They thought it would be 'fitting', as this year's parade, to be held at the Padang, celebrates Singapore's 60th year of independence. SCDF members participating in the guard of honour contingent had to learn how to handle arms for the feu-de-joi or rifle salute, Mr Ling said. 'This is something that they will have to pick up, but they are working hard, and they are practising every week to do it well,' he said. For the first time, the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) will also field a full contingent. Volunteer Pang Xuehui Arlene, a contingent commander, said this was significant as the SAFVC celebrates its 10th anniversary. 'Being able to field an entire contingent on our own speaks about how the SAFVC has grown over the past 10 years, that we are able to earn a spot in the parade,' said Ms Pang, who volunteers as a bridge watch keeper in the SAFVC. LARGEST CONTINGENT IN OVER 30 YEARS This year's parade will also feature the largest number of contingents for parades held at the Padang since 1990, with 40 marching contingents and 18 civilian contingents. In total, there will be around 2,100 participants in the parade and ceremony segment. Besides contingents from the SAF, SCDF and SPF, 10 contingents from uniformed youth organisations and 18 civilian contingents from local social and economic groups will participate in the parade. Having more contingents adds 'a bit of complexity' in terms of the way they move and how fast they can march, said Colonel (COL) Lim Yu Sing, the chairman of the parade and ceremony segment. But the contingents were able to overcome challenges through 'very detailed planning' led by the regimental sergeant major team, trainers, and guidance from the SAF, COL Lim said. 'The trainers, every Saturday, together with the current regimental sergeant major, will progressively train up the contingents to make sure that the complexities are well-drilled, well-rehearsed,' he said. This year's parade will be led by first-time parade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Firdaus Ghazali. 'I'm truly humbled that what began as a young boy's dream at Kallang National Stadium has now become a reality on the Padang parade ground,' said the 38-year-old. He first participated in the parade in 2002, as a student at Temasek Secondary School. 'The parade in itself is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, all coming together to move in unison and in perfect harmony and with one shared goal, which is to deliver an excellent parade,' he added. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PARADE Besides traditional crowd favourites such as the presidential ceremonial vehicle drive-past and the aerial display by the RSAF's fighter aircraft, this year's parade and ceremony segment will bring elements closer to members of the public and audiences, COL Lim said. The public will be able to get up close to the uncasing ceremony of the SAF colours, which will take place at an open area at Marina Square, opposite the Esplanade. A 127-strong live choir comprising students from Greendale Secondary School and musicians from Voices of Singapore will also perform 2021's NDP theme song The Road Ahead, from "island" stages placed at locations closer to the seating gallery around the Padang.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore navy exploring how to adapt cheaper, off-the-shelf drones to counter emerging threats
SINGAPORE: To counter emerging threats arising from unmanned systems, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is looking at incorporating cheaper, off-the-shelf drones into its suite of capabilities; and will upgrade its ships with guns known to be effective against fast-moving targets. These updates, shared by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat on Friday (May 9), come amid the maritime domain experiencing what he called an "increasingly complex set of challenges". Traditional issues such as sea robberies and piracy; trafficking; and illegal unreported and unregulated fishing are still present in the region, though kept under control by littoral states. There is also the risk of maritime terror attacks which RSN is monitoring; while geopolitical rivalries and unresolved territorial disputes play out in the form of increasingly aggressive and assertive postures and actions at sea, he said. It is against this backdrop that the RSN is exploring how it can go beyond higher-end unmanned systems, to adapt lower-cost and commercially off-the-shelf drones, said RADM Wat in a written interview with the media after the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference Asia 2025. "This is critical as it would allow us to shorten the capability-development cycle to effectively deal with emerging threats," he said. "We envisage that we will operate a mix of higher-end, purpose-built drones, as well as low-cost drones to fulfil the range of our operational needs." When it comes to countering these proliferating unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the Singapore navy needs to develop innovative and practical solutions, its chief added. "For example, to deal with threats posed by drones, both in the air and surface domains, the RSN will be progressively upgrading our ships with the Strales 76mm guided gun," said RADM Wat. "This also offers a cost-effective solution as compared to other conventional weapons such as higher-end missiles. We are also exploring other solutions." The Strales gun comes with Direct Ammunition Recovery Technique (DART) where projectiles are guided by a radio beam that follows the target through a homing system. The Singapore navy already uses a mix of missile and gun platforms to counter air and surface threats. Last month, it posted on Facebook about using the Aster missile system to take down an aerial drone off the coast of France, during a live-firing exercise. NEW PATROL VESSELS RADM Wat also gave updates on the navy's future platforms, including Singapore's first two offshore patrol vessels which are expected to be introduced from 2028. Earlier in April, a keel-laying ceremony - which customarily marks the start of full production - was conducted for the two ships in Lithuania. The navy chief noted there was "good progress" in the construction of the vessels, which are based on a "proven" design by the German Federal Police and designed with high manoeuvrability to operate in Singapore's congested waters. "The ships will be equipped with a suite of lethal and less-lethal capabilities to provide flexibility and calibrated responses against a wide spectrum of maritime threats," said RADM Wat, adding that they will progressively replace the Maritime Security Response Flotilla's existing Sentinel-class vessels. This adds on to other new naval assets announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen during his ministry's parliamentary budget debate in March. Two more Invincible-class submarines will be added to RSN's current fleet of four, and are projected for delivery from 2034. The navy will also launch its first multi-role combat vessels (MRCVs), which are expected to be progressively operationalised from 2028. The Singapore Armed Forces is also looking into replacing its Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircrafts which have been in service for three decades. The Boeing P-8A and Airbus C295 are being evaluated as possible contenders. LESSONS FROM ELSEWHERE Looking at conflicts abroad, Rear Admiral Wat pointed out that the Houthis used a variety of low-end and high-end weapons in attacks in the Red Sea. The militant group, which controls much of Yemen, has been targeting ships in the inlet since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. " Shipping through the Red Sea fell significantly, costing hundreds of billions of dollars of damage to the global economy," the RSN chief noted. He also observed how novel maritime unmanned capabilities have been employed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Attacks on critical underwater infrastructure have also come into sharp focus in recent months, said RADM Wat, pointing to underwater cables and pipelines being damaged, particularly in the Baltic Sea. Countries in that region moved quickly to respond, with national governments working closely with regional partners, private industries and other stakeholders to secure the infrastructure, he noted. He cited an example of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO launching an operation bringing together navies and other agencies to protect the infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. He also pointed to Dr Ng raising such underwater infrastructure as an "area of concern" during a meeting with ASEAN defence ministers earlier this year. RADM Wat said the RSN cannot navigate complex maritime security challenges alone and that partnerships - both international and regional - are key, be it through dialogues or other forms of cooperation. The Singapore navy will also continue to strengthen defence relations through regular engagement with counterparts around the world, with bilateral and multilateral exercises.
