Page 22 - MustangEbook

“This Institute is not just a collection of
buildings for the training of military officers.
It is a national institution, embodying our will o
defend our nation,
“It is a national institution, our determination

embodying our will to to fight to
defend our nation, our preserve our
determination to fight to freedom and our
preserve our freedom and way of life if the
need ever arises.
our way of life, if the need
It is a symbol of
ever arises.” First intake of SAFTI recruits undergoing the
how far we have
- Mr Goh Chok Tong fitness test.
come as armed
forces and as a nation.” He said emphasising SAFTI MI builds upon SAFTI’s tradition of

SAFTI’s status as an institution for the people.
providing Professional, rigorous and
disciplined training for Army, Navy and Air
Force officers. Through its tri-service
training, SAFTI MI aims to forge common
bonds and commitment among fellow officers
and build an integrated SAF.

SAFTI PIONEER REGIMENTAL
SERGEANT MAJORS

The New SAFTI

On 25 August 1995, the institute was
officially opened by then Prime Minister Mr
Goh Chok Tong. From left: WO1 Shamsudin B. Shadan, WO1
Hong Seng Mak, WO1 Ali Pawiro, WO1 Sng
Located on 88 hectares of land along Upper Cheng Chye
Jurong Road, the SAFTI Military Institute is
arguably the most impressive if not the most In all SAF camps, the Regimental Sergeant
imposing structure of all SAF buildings. From Major (RSM) is a highly respected and often
the red terracotta of the main buildings to the feared figure. This is even more so in SAFTI
cascading terraces at the Cadet Dining Hall, which is held in awe for the high standards of
SAFTI MI is a beautiful complex indeed. discipline and regimentation set by the RSMs.
Although its history is relatively short, Among the most prolific RSMs in SAFTI’s
compared to other more established and history was WO1 Shamsudim B. Sadan (the
st
prestigious military institutes such as 1 RSM), WO1 Hong Seng Mak (better
Sandhurst in England or USA’s Westpoint, known as “Tiger” Hong), WO1 Ali Pawiro
SAFTI MI’s significance to the SAF is clear. and WO1 Sng Cheng Chye. While WO1
Shamsudin, “Tiger” Hong and WO1 Sng were
strict, no-nonsense and fastidious to a fault