Ministry of Interior and Defence
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Interior and Defence of Singapore
was set up in 1965, with Dr. Goh Keng Swee
as the first Minister. The Ministry was responsible for both internal and external security, controlling both the Police Force
and the Armed Forces
.
As the differences between the police and armed forces became more defined, the Ministry was eventually split into the current Ministry of Defence
and Ministry of Home Affairs
in 1970.
A legacy of the Ministry can be found in vehicle registration plates bearing "MID", belonging to the present day Singapore Armed Forces
.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
was set up in 1965, with Dr. Goh Keng Swee
Goh Keng Swee
Goh Keng Swee was the second Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 1973 and 1984, and a Member of Parliament for the Kreta Ayer constituency for a quarter of a century. Born in Malacca in the Straits Settlements into a Peranakan family, he came to Singapore at the age of two years...
as the first Minister. The Ministry was responsible for both internal and external security, controlling both the Police Force
Singapore Police Force
The Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
and the Armed Forces
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
.
As the differences between the police and armed forces became more defined, the Ministry was eventually split into the current Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (Singapore)
The Ministry of Defence is a ministry of the Government of Singapore entrusted with overseeing the national defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. It is the headquarters of the Singapore Armed Forces...
and Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore)
The Ministry of Home Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for public safety, civil defence and immigration. It is also known as the Home Team. It is headed by the Minister for Home Affairs....
in 1970.
A legacy of the Ministry can be found in vehicle registration plates bearing "MID", belonging to the present day Singapore Armed Forces
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
.