Aloysius Pang Requiem: "GO HOME or BE SUNK, PEDOMAN!"

Aloysius Pang Requiem: 

“GO HOME OR BE SUNK, PEDOMAN!”

By MIKOspace

Attacking Singapore is A Huge Mistake!

The recent tragic death of National Serviceman (NSman) Aloysius Pang during an accident whilst on an overseas reservists training is both saddening and regrettable.  Another precious son of Singapore returned home to a hero’s welcome after his ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the Singapore and Singaporeans that he loved and who loved him in return, judging from the hundreds who turned up at his wake as well as numerous Instagram messages in his memorial.   

As a NSman Reservist, I enjoin fellow NSmen to salute Aloysius and the other sons of Singapore who gave their lives as they assure our continuous freedom – most recently, they also include Liu Kai, Dave Lee, Gavin Chan and Dominique Sarron Lee.   

As Singapore honours and salutes NSman Aloysius Pang with a military funeral last Sunday (28 Jan 2019), we are mindful of the foreign threats which are already upon us.

Since October 2018, Singapore’s sovereign waters have been repeatedly violated deliberately by neighbouring Malaysia. The conscious provocations have been directed by the new Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir, who returned to political power in May 2018 determined to pick fights with Chinese-majority Singapore so as to bolster his failing Malaysian Malay supports.  As Singapore authorities attempt to steer Malaysia towards diplomatic and legal solutions, Malaysia insisted to anchor her buoy-laying vessel, MV Pedoman, within Singapore waters which Malaysia is disputing without showing any documentary evidence of her claims.

The Malaysian MV Pedoman presence in Singapore waters is a blatant mark of utter disrespect and insult to our NSman Aloysius Pang on the day of his funeral. 

What We Cannot Defend Don’t Belong to Us:

Singapore Is Already Under Attack!

It is not lost on most NSmen present at the funeral that the MV Pedoman represents exactly the kind of threats which could be easily destroyed by the weapons of Aloysius’ SAF Artillery Unit.  MV Pedoman lies well within the range of its weapons which are tasked with eliminating all enemy targets within a 40km radius!  Pedoman’s continual presence in Singapore waters is an affront to the SAF and it humiliates our NSmen who have sworn to protect and defend Singapore’s sovereignty (which include our waters) from both domestic and foreign threats. 

THE MV PEDOMAN MUST LEAVE SINGAPORE WATERS, OR BE DESTROYED.

The perils and risks of our fragile treasured freedom should unite us as we remember gratefully Aloysius Pang and all the others who perished as they sought to protect Singaporeans through National Service.  They should be honoured by our actions, not words.

This Requiem for Aloysius Pang et al is a memoriam to NSmen, like me and millions of male Singaporeans, who continue to persevere over the past 55+ years, tells the truth of the risky and dangerous world around which we live in today that grants hope, happiness as well as fear of what lies ahead, even as we are determine to make it with our loved ones as far as we desire.  From fathers to sons, generations after generations, we communicate our dedication to the art of war trained to perfection by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) into a constant state of readiness response to the chaos of the modern world and the threats lurking around us in an unfriendly region, so as to pre-empt and prevent the certainty of a sudden-death apocalyptic and cataclysmic outcome.   

Hopefully, Singaporeans would become more appreciative of the ultimate sacrifice (to be) paid by many NSmen to keep our freedom and nation intact, and our loved ones safe.  The peace-time deaths of NSmen – one is indeed too many – are yet constant reminders worth repeating of the fragile geopolitics surrounding Singapore; for a better understanding of the perils and risks of war that may (would?) one day breach our shores and skies, and be grateful that the constant vigilance and readiness of the SAF has kept Singapore free and safe for our growing prosperity over the past 50+years.

The deaths of NSmen, however caused, always reinforce in me the deep meaning of sacrifice for my country. As a natural-born Singapore citizen, I regard National Service as the singular privilege and honour of citizenship. My son grows up holding his head high and proud as a citizen of a sovereign nation, as he looks ahead expectantly for his turn on Singapore’s watch towers. He is now proudly serving his National Service. I am glad that he knows and understands that “some must fight, so that all can be free!”.

LET THERE BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING - Singapore wants to be a friend to all countries. We have always regarded Malaysia to be a close friend and often good neighbour. DO NOT MAKE US YOUR ENEMY.