Emerging from the Separation from Malaysia and Konfrontasi with Indonesia, and witnessing communist guerrilla threats in the region, Singapore fully understood the importance of good foreign relations and a strong national defence strategy. Two new ministries, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) led by Mr S Rajaratnam and the Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID) led by Dr Goh Keng Swee, were established quickly to lay the essential foundations of diplomacy and defence.

MFA worked towards establishing new ties and strengthening existing friendships with the international community through overseas missions and memberships with international bodies. Dr Toh Chin Chye as the Deputy Prime Minister also played a major role in representing Singapore on foreign shores.

Source: Dr Toh Chin Chye’s Personal Albums

Mr Rajaratnam, Dr Toh and Minister of State for Education, Rahim Ishak, actively forged ties with 16 Afro-Asian countries through a non-stop Goodwill Mission from September to November 1965.

Meanwhile, MID’s national defence programme saw the development of various military units and the introduction of National Service in 1967. For the first time, all able-bodied young men in Singapore were drafted to serve as soldiers.





Source: MICA

Registration exercise of the first batch of NS recruits – 29 March to 18 April 1967. Over 96% of the eligible men registered.