SAF operations continue amid haze, but servicemen's safety top priority: Chan Chun Sing

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues its operations regardless of haze conditions to ensure the country's defence and security, said Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Nov 4).

He was responding to a parliamentary question filed by Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC), who had asked what training limits apply for servicemen when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is in the unhealthy range (PSI 101 to 200).

The first-term MP noted that runs and marches were limited to five kilometres and eight kilometres respectively in 1997.

He also asked if servicemen with pre-existing lung or heart conditions will be exempted from all outdoor physical activities, and for the SAF's haze guidelines to be published.

In his reply, Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, reiterated that the health and well-being of all SAF servicemen and women are of utmost importance to the SAF.

"We ensure this even while we continue training and conducting operations to ensure Singapore’s defence and security," he emphasised.

However, with due regard to health and safety, the SAF has to continue with all its operations regardless of haze conditions as these are critical to the defence of Singapore, the defence minister highlighted.

He said that SAF personnel are issued with protective equipment, such as N95 masks, when they conduct their operational duties.

Turning to training, Chan said that the national guidelines and medical advice are taken into account, with prolonged or strenuous outdoor training moderated in unhealthy or very unhealthy conditions.

And should PSI enter the hazardous range, all non-essential outdoor activities will be cancelled.

"We ensure this even while we continue training and conducting operations to ensure Singapore’s defence and security," the defence minister said.

新加坡国防部长陈振声周三（11月4日）表示，新加坡武装部队（SAF）无论雾霾情况如何，都会继续开展行动，以确保国家的国防和安全。

他是在回应工人党议员张建宗（阿裕尼集选区）提出的议会质询，张建宗询问当 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 处于不健康范围（PSI 101 至 200）时，军人的训练限制是什么。

这位第一任议员指出，1997 年跑步和游行的距离分别限制在 5 公里和 8 公里以内。

他还询问患有既往肺部或心脏疾病的军人是否可以免于所有户外体育活动，并要求公布新加坡武装部队的雾霾应对指南。

陈先生在答复中重申，新加坡武装部队所有男女军人的健康和福祉对新加坡武装部队至关重要。陈先生同时也是公共服务统筹部长。

他强调：“即使在我们继续进行训练和开展行动以确保新加坡国防和安全的同时，我们也会确保这一点。”

然而，国防部长强调，出于对健康和安全的考虑，新加坡武装部队必须继续开展所有行动，无论是否存在雾霾情况，因为这些行动对新加坡的国防至关重要。

他表示，新加坡武装部队人员在执行作战任务时会配备防护装备，例如 N95 口罩。

谈到训练方面，陈表示，会考虑国家指导方针和医疗建议，在健康状况不佳或非常不佳的情况下，会减少长时间或剧烈的户外训练。

如果 PSI 值达到危险范围，所有非必要的户外活动都将被取消。

国防部长表示：“即使在我们继续进行训练和行动以确保新加坡国防和安全的同时，我们也会确保这一点。”