Defence, army and air force chiefs promoted

Chief of Defence Force Perry Lim, who leads the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), is being promoted to the top rank of Lieutenant-General today.

He assumed his current post last August. He joined the SAF in December 1990 and was awarded the President's and SAF Overseas scholarships.

Lt-Gen Lim graduated from Cambridge University with first-class honours in mechanical engineering. He was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew postgraduate scholarship in 2008 and obtained a master's in public administration from business school Insead.

Among his appointments were commander of the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards and the army's 3rd Division. He was also chief of staff - general staff.

Two other generals moving to the next rank are Chief of Army Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Mervyn Tan. They have been promoted to Major-General.

Maj-Gen Ong joined the SAF in 1994 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship.

In his military career, he commanded the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade and headed the SAF's Joint Plans and Transformation Department.

His air force counterpart joined the SAF in 1990, and went on to head the Air Defence and Operations Command and the Air Plans Department in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Six colonels are also being promoted to Brigadier-General and Rear-Admiral (One-Star).

All in, the SAF is promoting 434 officers, 67 military experts and 40 warrant officers from the army, navy and air force today.

They include regulars and operationally ready national servicemen.

Among them is Colonel Koh Ee Wen, Commander Air Defence Group, who was promoted from Senior Lieutenant-Colonel.

The air warfare officer in ground based air defence said that when she joined the SAF nearly 20 years ago in 1997, there were not many high-ranking women.

However, the 38-year-old said: "The air force culture is egalitarian... You (need to) prove that you're competent and professional. That is how people deal with you."

At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence yesterday evening, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Lt-Gen Lim presented certificates to some of those being promoted.

The annual SAF Day will be commemorated today.

This article was first published on Jul 01, 2016.
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